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Tucked in a forest of trees in Luxembourg City is a hulking piece of urban infrastructure that, if all goes to plan, will soon be taken over by birds. The structure is a two-columned concrete water tower that has been designed to function as a habitat for local and migratory birds. In contrast to most essential elements of a city’s infrastructure that usually try to avoid being infested by wild animals, this water tower had birds in mind from the very start. The water tower habitat was designed by Temperaturas Extremas Arquitectos SLP, an architecture firm based in Madrid. The project’s site is part of Natura 2000, a European ecological network of areas dedicated to biodiversity conservation, and several local and migratory bird species are known to nest in this area, including swallows, cuckoos and peregrine falcons. Because of the site’s protected status and bird population, designing a large piece of infrastructure there raised the unusual challenge of prioritizing animal needs over human ones. The project’s client, the water service of the capital city of Luxembourg, launched a design competition in 2019 to tackle this challenge. [Photo: Miguel Fernández-Galiano/courtesy Temperaturas Extremas Arquitectos SLP] Completed in the fall, the dual towers are 164 feet high and have a combined capacity of about 260,000 gallons. The concrete bulk of the towers are framed by a permeable wooden skin that encourages bird nesting as well as vegetation growth. Bat roosts are also attached at various points of the structure. The top of the tower has a nesting space for peregrine falcons. [Photo: Miguel Fernández-Galiano/courtesy Temperaturas Extremas Arquitectos SLP] In just the few months since construction finished, the structure is already transforming into a habitat for plants and animals, with several species nesting in its wooden frame. Vegetation has begun to conquer the building and its surroundings, the architects explain via email. It is beginning to be a calm place. [Photo: Miguel Fernández-Galiano/courtesy Temperaturas Extremas Arquitectos SLP] The architects say the project’s true value will be shown this spring, during the biannual migration that will bring millions of birds through the region. It could also become a model for a new way of designing water towers, which are beginning to see a wider range of designs compared to the recent past. While some buildings are known to be incredibly deadly to birds, the designers argue that this kind of project offsets the unintentional but harmful effects architecture can have on the natural world. One of the great challenges of architecture today is to not only contribute to cushioning of the impacts it has, but fundamentally to give back to nature part of what was taken from it, the architects write. In other words, the challenge is to increase the planet’s natural capital.
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E-Commerce
A helicopter flying over your head, the ground rumbling under your feet, bullets whizzing by your ears: If its up to Google and Samsung, then your movie nights will soon sound like youre in the middle of the action. The two companies announced a new 3D audio format called Eclipsa Audio this month that will soon bring spatial audio to compatible devices, starting with this years Samsung TVs and soundbars. Google is also bringing Eclipsa Audio to YouTube, where creators will soon be able to upload content with immersive audio, and has plans to extend support for it to Android phones, Chrome browsers, as well as TVs, soundbars and streaming devices made by a number of other companies. Does all of this sound familiar? Thats no accident: Dolby has been offering very similar capabilities with its own Dolby Atmos immersive audio format, which has been licensed by most major device makers and streaming services. But while Dolby charges its licensing partners for every device shipped to consumers, Google and Samsung are offering Eclipsa royalty-free. And while other open media initiatives have struggled to catch on in the past, Eclipsas backers are betting that a consumer-friendly brand will help the 3D audio format to become an all-around success story. Spatial audio, immersive audio is going to be the new big thing in the audio space, says Googles Eclipsa Audio project lead Jani Huoponen. A fifty-year-old invention, rediscovered for the streaming age Spatial audio itself is not new: British researchers first developed a way to immerse listeners in a 3D sphere of music, with sounds coming not just from left and right but all directions, including different vertical heights, in the 1970ies. But while Ambisonics, as immersive audio was called at the time, made for a great demo, there has been a lot more momentum for it in recent years. One reason for this is the growth of streaming, and consumers embracing sound bars and home theater set-ups to make the most out of their Netflix movie nights. Music services like Apple Music have also begun to use Dolby Atmos spatial audio for an on-stage-with-the-band-like listening experience, and Apples AirPods are using head tracking to make music performances even more immersive. However, not every company has rushed to embrace Dolby Atmos. Many entry-level TVs and soundbars dont support the format out of the box, and YouTube and Spotify dont stream any Dolby Atmos content at all. Even consumers who have the right gear and service subscriptions may not actually get to enjoy the audio format: Netflix, Max and Amazon are all asking their customers to upgrade to their priciest plan to enjoy movies and shows with Atmos soundtracks. Some of that is due to the licensing fees Dolby charges for the use of its media formats. The company doesnt publicly disclose its Atmos licensing fees, but it is said to charge between $2 and $3 per device for similar video format licenses. That doesnt sound much, but can add up for an industry working with razor-thin profit margins. Costs for content creators are also significant: Licensing Atmos for the popular Pro Tools audio software alone costs around $300 chump change for a Hollywood studio, but not for an amateur working on YouTube videos in their spare time. There should be an open source alternative [available] to make immersive and spatial audio more accessible, says Huoponen. That includes lowering the barrier of entry for content creators by extending spatial audio to user-generated content. When YouTube introduces something new, creators figure out a way to take advantage of these new features, he says. Thats the exciting part here. Omdia media & entertainment analyst Paul Erickson agrees. Eclipsa Audio has the potential to democratize access to spatial audio technology across the consumer landscape, he says, adding that industry giants like Google and Samsung are best positioned to establish a new audio format. Immersive media is already a complicated word salad Not everyone is as upbeat about Eclipsa Audio. The world of immersive sound is already complicated, cautions Danish sound designer Lars Tirsbk. Adding another format might create more confusion for both creators and consumers. Its an issue Eclipse Audios backers have struggled with in the past. Unwilling to pay the licensing fees for Dolbys HDR video format Dolby Vision, Samsung threw its support behind the royalty-free alternative HDR10+ back in 2017. But while Amazon and Google were quick to support the format, consumers were left confused by the overly technical acronym, and many other streaming services opted for Dolby Vision due to better brand recognition. Thats why branding has been key this time. When Eclipsa Audio was first developed, it was called Immersive Audio Model & Format. Its a mouthful, admits Huoponen. We figured that we needed something a little bit easier for folks to remember. Google first previewed its plans for open media formats with consumer-friendly branding at a closed-door meeting with consumer electronics makers in 2022. At the time internally called Project Caviar, the idea was to establish brands that consumers would immediately recognize when theyre in the market for a new TV or soundbar. Brands capable of competing with Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision, complete with logos that device makers can slap on their packaging. Eclipsa Audio is the first such brand, and Google plans to establish a device certification program for consumer electronics makers soon. Which begs the question: Will TVs on store shelves eventually feature a logo for Eclipsa Video as well? Huoponen acknowledges that as a possibility, but cautioned that nothing was set in stone yet. Right now, we are still focusing just on the audio part, he says. When the time comes, we will probably have something around video as well. Well see what the future will bring.
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E-Commerce
An overwhelming number of Americans are in the market for a new job. According to a recent Monster poll, 93% of workers think 2025 might be the time to change employers. With an increased number of applications, you could see tougher competition for roles, which makes the interview process even more critical. The way you approach the job hunt is similar to how a professional gambler approaches the poker table, says Jamie Wall, casino analyst and body language expert at Gamblizard, a website that evaluates online casinos and their offers. Both are high-stakes situations, considering you really want to land the job or win the game, he says. Both follow formal rules, have clear goals, and involve some initial inputs. In poker, its the cards you need to play right. In an interview, its your experience, which also needs to be presented strategically. In both poker and interviews, luck plays a role, but success largely depends on your skills and ability to read others, says Wall. Thinking this way shifts your mindset toward managing risks and maximizing rewards, he says. Plus, viewing the interview as a competitive game, where you and the interviewer are testing each others strategies, can spark excitement and drive, replacing anxiety with a sense of challenge. Before you go into your next interview, consider these poker-inspired tips that could help you stand out from the crowd of other candidates. 1. Read the Room At the poker table, players try to read their opponents so they can adjust their game. In the interview process, the goal is to build a rapport with the person interviewing you by matching energy and gestures. Wall recommends reading the room by picking up on non-verbal cues that help you adjust your actions. In-person interviews give the full spectrum of information: facial expressions, posture, movements, and real eye contact, he says. For example, engagement can be shown by the interviewer leaning forward or maintaining consistent eye contact. Mirroring someones movements can help forge a subtle connection. Just dont be blatant about it.If your interview is on video, Wall suggests looking for micro-expressions, which are involuntary facial movements that can reveal someones true thoughts. Raised eyebrows, for example, could indicate that the interviewer is surprised by your answer. You may want to take this as a clue to provide more information. If your interview is over the phone, Wall says tone, pacing, and pauses become the primary indicators. A quick intake of breath might mean theyre eager to interject or intrigued by your answer, he says. Unusually long pauses [mean that theyre] skeptical or distracted. 2. Maintain a Poker Face You may think having a poker face means being blank and expressionless, but Wall says its about controlling your emotions in high-pressure situations. Fortunately, this is a skill you can practice with friends, such as trying to keep a straight face while engaging in a heated debate when emotions want to break through, he says. In an interview, a poker face is useful during tough or unexpected questions. For instance, instead of nervously tightening your lips, looking down, or mumbling, maintain steady eye contact, take a pause, and answer with a calm tone to project confidence, says Wall. You dont need to stay neutral the whole time, he says. Show enthusiasm, smile, and connect authentically when it feels right. A poker face is just a tool to help you stay composed when it matters most. 3. Use the ‘Check-Raise’ Strategy In poker, a “check-raise” is when a player starts off weakly, then surprises their opponent with a strong move later. They may match bets in early rounds to keep people in only to go all in at the end. You can use this strategy in interviews by downplaying your strengths in areas where you exceed. This often prompts the interviewer to dig deeper, giving you a chance to provide a well-prepared and impressive response that catches their attention, says Wall. The main danger of this strategy is withholding information that could be critical for decision-making, he says. To minimize risks, hold back only information already in your résumé and always leave an opening to elaborate, like One thing Id also like to highlight [is]. . . .Wall says this strategy works best when withholding doesnt underplay your potential. For entry-level candidates, where every detail matters, the risk is higher and likely not worth it. 4. Bluff (When Appropriate) Bluffing is a common technique used in poker. For example, only places a bet when they have a strong hand, they might throw off their opponents by raising big on a weak hand once in a while, says Wall. You can also bluff in an interview. While you dont want to outright lie, its possible to polish or reframe the narrative around your skills and knowledge by building on a truthful foundation. If youre asked about your proficiency in a skill youre still learning, Wall suggests saying, Im quick to pick up new skills, like I did with [X related skill]. This shows eagerness and flexibility, keeping the conversation positive while subtly showcasing your strengths, he says. A foolish bluff, on the other hand, is making a wild move that doesnt align with your story. Never bluff about hard skills, certifications, or major accomplishments that can be easily verified or are essential for the role, says Wall. But when it comes to things like reasons for leaving a previous job, gaps in your résumé, or your motivation for applying, a bit of creative storytelling can work to your advantage. 5. Make Your Final Bet At the end of the interview, Wall recommends placing your final bet. Just like the last bet in poker can win you the game, ending your interview on a high note can boost your chances, he says. Show enthusiasm and reinforce your value by saying something like, Thanks, I really enjoyed the interview. While Im exploring other options, this one stands out. This demonstrates you’re invested, confident, and aware of your worth. Sometimes the cards fall in your favor, and sometimes your opponent wins. The key for landing that next job is to stay in the game.
Category:
E-Commerce
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