SAN FRANCISCO (Sept, 2024) — In Defense of Animals, SF Zoo Watch, and Panda Voices are calling on Mayor London Breed and the San Francisco Zoo to immediately abandon their reckless and costly plan to acquire giant pandas.
Finland today announced it will return its pandas to China eight years ahead of schedule citing their unaffordable upkeep, following Edinburgh Zoo’s recent decision to not renew its panda contract owing to the extreme cost. Despite these clear warnings, San Francisco’s panda plan — estimated to cost an astounding $70 million usd/ $94.3 million cad over 10 years — has not been abandoned, even as the city witholds funds for vital public services, and the San Francisco Zoological Society struggles with repeated crises.
Mayor Breed’s plan to import pandas to the crisis-stricken San Francisco Zoo has been strongly opposed by animal advocates. Photo: JackPhoto.com/In Defense of Animals
“Finland’s decision to return its pandas early due to soaring costs should be a wake-up call for San Francisco,” said Brittany Michelson, Campaign Specialist for Captive Animals at In Defense of Animals.
“Finland and Edinburgh were financially better prepared and better managed, yet even they couldn’t sustain their panda exhibits. San Francisco is already in financial trouble, and this panda plan is another disaster waiting to happen.”
“San Francisco City and San Francisco Zoo share the same policy — let residents suffer while running after doomed vanity projects,” said Justin Barker of SF Zoo Watch. “The zoo and the city have cut off funding for the most vulnerable while privileging the doomed panda plan.”
“The fact that the Ahtari Zoo in Finland is returning giant pandas JinBaoBao (Lumi) and HuaBao (Pyry) nearly nine years before their contract ends shows the huge challenge and the financial issues zoos face when hosting giant pandas,” said Taciana Santiago, Co-Founder of Panda Voices. “The popularity of these bears often overshadows the costly expenses and highly-specialized care these very sensitive animals demand. If these conditions are not met, the pandas’ wellbeing will be sacrificed, like we sadly observed with pandas YaYa and LeLe, who suffered at the Memphis Zoo until 2023. We hope San Francisco Zoo, which already faces substantial financial issues, can learn from these experiences and stop their unsustainable and cruel plans to host giant pandas.”
LeLe died and YaYa became extremely ill at Memphis Zoo. Photos: Panda Voices
Despite its crumbling infrastructure and multiple languishing infrastructure projects, the San Francisco Zoo is moving forward with plans to house pandas.
Meanwhile, other zoos like Finland’s Ahtari and Edinburgh have already concluded that panda programs are financially unsustainable. Worse yet, the San Francisco Zoo has failed to address major animal welfare and labor issues, ignoring serious concerns raised by staff over unsafe conditions and multiple preventable animal deaths. Last week, the zoo’s board retained its leadership, despite an overwhelming 97% vote of no confidence from union members.
The century old San Francisco Zoo has deferred maintenance and let upgrade projects languish for years. Photo: In Defense of Animals
“Bringing pandas into an environment where the current animals are already suffering is not only reckless but cruel,” added Michelson. “The San Francisco Zoo is in no state to care for these highly sensitive animals when it can’t even meet the needs of those already in its care.”
At a time when Mayor Breed is pausing $33 million usd/ $44.5 million cad in spending for crucial community services such as housing support and violence prevention, diverting millions more toward a panda exhibit is unconscionable. The estimated costs for the panda acquisition far exceed the $25 million usd/ $33.7 million cad the mayor plans to raise from private donors:
$35 million usd/ $47.2 million cad or more for new exhibits and holding facilities.
An annual loan fee of $1-2 million usd/ $1.4 -2.7 million cad to China for the pandas.
$1.5-3 million usd/ $2-4 million cad per year for food, veterinary care, staff, and maintenance.
“Pandas have pushed yet another world-class zoo beyond its financial limits,” added Michelson. “San Francisco Zoo has proven, time and again, that it cannot manage its finances, fix infrastructure issues, or protect its animals. Adding pandas to this mix is a recipe for disaster.”
In Defense of Animals, Panda Voices, and SF Zoo Watch urges the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and Mayor Breed to immediately halt the panda plans and prioritize addressing the zoo’s current crises. The panda plan has faced opposition from San Francisco Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin and nearly 14,000 concerned citizens have already flooded the inboxes of Mayor Breed, city officials, and the San Francisco Zoo, urging them to abandon this dangerous plan. Concerned citizens and animal lovers can take action by sending an email at www.idausa.org/sfpanda. For the Silo, Brittany Michelson.
Featured image-Giant pandas Panpan (right) and Yueyue are shown in a Jan., 2019 handout photo from the Calgary Zoo. The first giant Panda twins born in Canada. Handout photo by The Calgary Zoo.
The Art of Hi-Fi, Volume 6: Guitars from Octave Records Features an Extravaganza of Playing Styles and Sounds– Octave’s latest offers a wide selection of guitar styles and genres, from solo acoustic to all-out rock on overdrive – September, 2024 – What’s not to love about guitar music? Especially when it’s as well-recorded and soulfully played as the selections on The Art of Hi-Fi Volume 06: Guitars, the latest release from Octave Records. The album features a wide range of artists, styles, and instruments, from the solo acoustic 12-string guitar of Bill Kopper on “Hungry Heart” to Americana, jazz, pop, well-loved covers, and Connor Terrones tearing it up on Jimi Hendrix’s “Manic Depression.” It’s all here, captured in Octave Records’ stunning Pure DSD high-resolution recording quality.
Paul McGowan, Octave Records’ CEO pointed out: “Guitars are part of the soundtrack of our lives, from sweet acoustic and warm jazz tones to the powerful electric guitar sounds that have galvanized generations of listeners. Yet it’s extremely challenging to capture these many and varied musical and sonic flavors on a recording. We are thrilled with the sound and performances of our Octave artists on The Art of Hi-Fi Volume 06: Guitars, who did a fantastic job of showcasing the almost limitless potential of the instrument.”
The Art of Hi-Fi Volume 06: Guitars was recorded with Octave’s Pyramix-based Pure DSD 256 recording system, using a variety of microphones to capture the wide variety of guitars on the album: steel-string and nylon-string, 12-string guitar, electric, pedal steel, resonator, and even baritone guitar. Everything from the crystalline overtones of a steel-string guitar to the roar of a guitar amp speaker pushed beyond its limit is here to enjoy. The album was recorded, mixed and produced by Paul McGowan, with Terri McGowan and Jessica Carson assisting in the recording and production duties. It was mastered by Gus Skinas.
The album begins with Julian Peterson’s soulful Americana-tinged “Am I Wrong” by Keb’ Mo’, singing and playing a resonator guitar using a slide, a deep, elemental sound. The bossa-nova-tinged “Amor Prohibido” features Bill Kopper on nylon-string, accompanied by bass and percussion. It’s a lively musical dialogue, beautifully recorded. Kopper and the trio also contribute “Sweet Lorraine,” played gypsy jazz style with a snappy, cutting guitar tone, and he goes solo with the gorgeous 12-string sound and complex fingerpicked voicings of “Hungry Heart.”
The wailing sound of the pedal steel guitar is featured on Greg Schochet’s country original, “Broken Down Chair,” with Schochet’s plaintive singing and sparse acoustic guitar playing carrying a wry tune about likening his life to the well-worn piece of furniture. Khabu Young contributes a dazzling instrumental version of the Beatles’ “Come Together” on solo baritone guitar, and the amount of sound he gets out of just the one instrument is remarkable.
The Seth Lewis Trio offers intimate versions of the Bacharach/David classics, “The Look of Love” and “Close to You,” featuring the warm, rich tones of Lewis’ acoustic and electric basses, along with piano, organ, and drums. Wyn Walke digs into the 1930s American classic “Deep Elem Blues,” made popular by the Grateful Dead in the 1960s, performed here in a stately version with vocals, lap steel guitar, bass, percussion, and piano. The Art of Hi-Fi Volume 06: Guitars closes with a dramatic musical shift: Connor Terrones’ incendiary instrumental version of “Manic Depression,” with multiple guitars, bass, and drums blasting away to bring the album to a roaring no-holds-barred conclusion. Turn it up!
The Art of Hi-Fi Volume 06: Guitars features Octave’s premium gold disc formulation, and the disc is playable on any SACD, CD, DVD, or Blu-ray player. It also has a high-resolution DSD layer that is accessible by using any SACD player or a PS Audio SACD transport. In addition, the master DSD and PCM files are available for purchase and download, including DSD 512, DSD 256, DSD 128, DSD 64, and DSDDirect Mastered 352.8 kHz/24-bit, 176.2 kHz/24-bit, 88.2 kHz/24-bit, and 44.1 kHz/24-bit PCM. (SRP: $29usd / $39 cad.)
World Economic Forum’s EDISON Alliance Impacts Over 1 Billion Lives, Accelerating Global Digital Inclusion.
The EDISON Alliance has connected over 1 billion people globally to essential digital services like healthcare, education and finance through a network of 200+ partners in over 100 countries.
Investments in bridging the universal digital divide could bring $8.7 trillion usd/ $11.7 trillion cad in benefits to developing countries, home to more than 70% of the Alliance’s beneficiaries.
The Alliance’s 300+ partner initiatives, including digital dispensaries in India, economy digitalization programmes in Rwanda and blended learning in Bangladesh, continue to shape a digitally equitable society.
Follow the Sustainable Development Impact Meetings 2024 here and on social media using #SDIM24.
New York, USA, September 2024 – The EDISON Alliance, a World Economic Forum initiative, has successfully connected over 1 billion people globally – ahead of its initial 2025 target – to essential digital services in healthcare, education and finance in over 100 countries. Since its launch in 2021, the Alliance has united a diverse network of 200+ partners from the public and private sectors, academia and civil society to create innovative solutions for digital inclusion.
Despite living in a digitally connected world, 2.6 billion people are currently not connected to the internet.
This digital exclusion impacts access to healthcare, financial services and education, contributing to significant economic costs for both the individuals involved and their countries’ economies.
Klaus Schwab- German mechanical engineer, economist and founder of the World Economic Forum.
“Ensuring universal access to the digital world is not merely about connectivity, but a fundamental pillar of equality and opportunity,” said Klaus Schwab, Founder and Chairman of the World Economic Forum. “Let us reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that every individual, regardless of their geographic or socioeconomic status, has access to meaningful connectivity.”
The Alliance has made substantial progress in South Asia and Africa.
In Madya Pradesh, India, The EDISON Alliance fostered the Digital Dispensaries initiative, a collaboration between the Apollo Hospitals Group and a US telecom infrastructure provider. This partnership has successfully delivered quality and affordable healthcare, improving patient engagement, addressing gender health disparities and optimizing patient convenience, and making it a scalable model for delivering patient-centric healthcare through digital solutions. Other partner projects improved digital access through economy digitalization programmes in Rwanda, provided solutions for bridging the education gap in Bangladesh with blended learning techniques and explored solutions to reduce financial exclusion in Pakistan.
“Everybody, no matter where they were born or where they live, should have access to the digital services that are essential for life in the 21st century,” said Hans Vestberg, Chair of the EDISON Alliance, Chairman and CEO of Verizon. “Making sure that everybody can get online is too big a challenge for any one company or government, so the EDISON Alliance brings people together to find practical, community-based solutions that can scale globally.”
By driving digital inclusion through its 300+ partner initiatives, the Alliance contributes to unlocking the immense potential of the digital economy. Achieving universal internet access by 2030 could require $446 billion usd/ $600 billion cad, but would yield $8.7 trillion usd/ $11.7 trillion cad in benefits for developing countries. This highlights the significant potential of digital inclusion to drive economic growth and improve lives. The EDISON Alliance has made substantial contributions to this goal, with over 70% of its impact concentrated in developing nations.
The milestone of connecting 1 billion lives was initially targeted for 2025.
Achieving this ahead of schedule demonstrates the effectiveness of its partners, through collaboration and targeted projects, in bridging the digital divide and providing access to critical services to underserved communities.
Beyond digital access, the rapidly evolving technological landscape – marked by such advancements as artificial intelligence, presents opportunities and challenges. The EDISON Alliance remains committed to ensuring that marginalized communities can fully benefit from these developments and avoid being left behind. As technology continues to advance, the Alliance will focus on expanding digital access, fostering innovation and addressing the digital gender gap to create a more inclusive digital future.
About the Sustainable Impact Meetings 2024
The Sustainable Development Impact Meetings 2024 are being held this week in New York. Over 1,000 global leaders from diverse sectors and geographies will come together to assess and renew global action around the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through a series of impact-oriented multistakeholder dialogues. The meetings are an integral part of the Forum’s year-round work on sustainable development and its progress.
The Indonesian Pharmacist Association or more popularly abbreviated as Pafi is a forum for pharmacists in Indonesia to participate in improving the level of public welfare, especially in the fields of Public Health and Pharmacy, in addition to their daily duties.
One of the active branches that continues to strive to improve the quality of pharmaceutical services is Pafi Muara Bungo. For more complete information, check the website .
To facilitate providing the best service to the community, Pafi Muara Bungo continues to develop various initiatives and programs, including providing online registration for pharmacist members in the district.
The PAFI organization is a Professional Organization that is Work and Service-oriented.
In this case, it has 4 goals, such as:
Realizing a Just and Prosperous Society based on Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution quoted from the central PAFI, in fact, Indonesian Pharmacists have existed since the Proclamation of Independence of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia on August 17, 1945, have fought side by side with all groups of society, to eliminate colonialism from the face of the earth of Indonesia, and have actively participated in defending the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia and then participated in Community and State Development.
Therefore, Indonesian Pharmacists are one of the development potentials that have never been absent in the struggle for state development until today, continuing to optimize services to the Indonesian people.
Realizing Optimal Health for the Indonesian People
The second goal of PAFI is to realize optimal health for the Indonesian people. In this case, PAFI Muara Bungo is actively disseminating information about health and the importance of proper drug use. Such as, recommendations to increase awareness before consuming these drugs, consulting with doctors and pharmacists before using drugs, and providing education related to disease prevention.
Developing and improving Indonesian Pharmaceutical Development
Developing and improving development in the world of automatic pharmacy can also increase efficiency and accuracy in providing services to the wider community.
Both the central Pafi and Pafi Muara Bungo in particular have developed an integrated pharmaceutical information system. It is expected to be able to provide faster and more accurate information online. So that health information is easily accessible to various levels of society.
Improving Member Welfare
One of the main goals of Pafi Muara Bungo is to improve the competence and welfare of its members. Various training and seminar information for Muara Bungo pharmacy experts is updated on the website.
It is hoped that with the increasing competence possessed, the welfare of Pafi members will also increase. Good news for pharmacists can join the training, the first step, register first to become a member of Pafi Muara Bungo.
Training and seminars on pharmacy management, the use of technology in pharmacy services, and the development of soft skills such as communication and auto services can be followed. In addition, there is a lot of job vacancy information for fresh graduates and pharmacists for better jobs. For the Silo, Anna Melnikova.
Popcorn ceilings are a well-known finish that resembles a bubble-like textured surface. They were trendy from the late 1960s to the mid-1990s. This is why homeowners who have had difficulty removing carpet and green tiles in the kitchen now want stucco removal.
Steps to Remove Popcorn Ceilings
The most effective way to remove a textured popcorn ceiling is to use a large paint scraper. However, if you do not follow the correct procedure and do not know the nuances, you can end up with a huge mess.
Here are some practical tips that you can use to remove popcorn ceilings from your home:
Determine if your popcorn ceiling contains asbestos. If you built your home before 1980, there is a chance that your popcorn ceiling contains asbestos. This is a dangerous material that can cause serious health problems. To do this, buy a special test kit or hire a professional.
Gather the right tools. To remove a popcorn ceiling, you will need a scraper, an aerosol can, a ladder, and safety equipment (goggles, gloves, and a respirator).
Clear the space. Make sure the room is empty before removing a textured ceiling. Cover large items that you cannot take out with a heavy-duty tarp.
Disconnect ceiling lights. This will reduce the risk of accidental damage. Secure electrical wires with special wire nuts to prevent electric shock while working.
Protect electrical outlets and light fixtures. Cover them with plastic wrap and masking tape. This blockage will prevent water from entering the outlet and reduce the risk of short circuits.
Protect floors, doors, and windows. Cover all surfaces with a heavy tarpaulin mat and secure it with masking tape.
Wet the ceiling. Fill a spray bottle with warm water and a few drops of detergent and spray the ceiling.
Scrape off the popcorn texture. You can use a wide putty knife for this. Use smooth, even movements to remove the material effectively. You can add more water to make the process easier. Wait 24 hours for the ceiling to dry before moving on to the next step.
Apply a sanding coat and sand. This will help you fill in any gaps and provide a smooth surface. Let the mixture dry, and then sand again to remove uneven areas.
After this, you can prime and paint the ceiling as desired.
Finally, you can remove the mat, put the lamps and fans back, remove the socket covers, and arrange the furniture.
Removing the popcorn ceiling is quite problematic. This process requires special tools and skills. The main problem with removing popcorn texture is the colossal mess it creates. Only professionals can remove popcorn ceilings without dust and dirt. If you’re intimidated by cleaning or need more time, hiring professionals is a great way to solve the problem.
How to simplify the process of removing popcorn ceilings?
If you want to simplify removing popcorn ceiling as much as possible, use the services of professionals from Renovated-Home. Experienced craftsmen will help transform your home into the place of your dreams. Renovated-Home craftsmen use leading technologies to remove textured ceilings. The surface is removed without dust and mess.
The Renovated-Home team works in Toronto and provides the highest professional services. Сraftsmens have extensive experience leveling ceilings, so you will not have to wait long. They will perfectly level the surface and clean up everything after themselves, leaving a clean space in your home.
If you have questions about the cost, request a consultation. Managers will contact you and calculate the cost of work individually, considering the area, ceiling height, and the presence of furniture. Get a free consultation right now. For the Silo, Kristina Rigina.
I’m so excited to join forces with charity Made By Dyslexia today to launch the free onlineUniversity of Dyslexic Thinking, hosted by Open University and available to access from all around the world.
We decided to launch the university to teach the skills most relevant to today’s world – Dyslexic Thinking skills.
The courses are for anyone, at any stage of life; you might be a dyslexic looking to learn more about your Dyslexic Thinking skills and apply them to different industries, or someone who isn’t dyslexic but is curious to understand how this kind of thinking works in action, and why these skills are more valuable than ever before.
This morning, Made By Dyslexia revealed its new Intelligence 5.0 report, which includes research from Randstad Enterprise that shows the skills inherent to dyslexics are the most sought-after in every job, in every sector, globally.
The report clearly demonstrates that today’s AI-driven world needs a new kind of intelligence focused on human skills such as complex problem solving, adaptability, resilience, communication and creative thinking.
These are skills dyslexics naturally possess but aren’t measured by traditional education and workplace tests, which instead focus on dyslexic challenges. Based on this, it concludes the outdated systems that are designed to teach and measure intelligence need a rethink – it’s time for a new school of thought.
And this is where DyslexicU comes in! We’re shaking things up and teaching the skills the world needs. We need more innovators, problem-solvers, storytellers and unconventional thinking. The online course features many of the world’s greatest dyslexics talking about how Dyslexic Thinking skills like this have fuelled innovation and success, and the lessons we can gain from their experiences. They’re the kind of lessons I wish I was taught in the classroom.
I’m delighted to be joined by some of the incredible (dyslexic) course contributors today to launch DyslexicU at Virgin Hotels New York City, including HRH Princess Beatrice, Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock, and Jean Oelwang.
HRH Princess Beatrice
Courses in ‘Entrepreneurs & Start-Up Mentality’ (made in partnership with Virgin StartUp) and another on ‘Changemakers & Activism’ (made in partnership with Virgin Unite) are available on DyslexicU, hosted on Open University today, with lots more to come later this year (or next term, should I say?!) They cover subjects such as storytelling, sport, fashion, culinary arts, and music.
While ‘U’ might technically’ stand for ‘University’, I quite like the irony that it resembles the ‘U’ that myself and many dyslexics sometimes see scribbled on our report cards, because traditional education systems are not made for minds like ours. If you’re a dyslexic, I know how disheartening that can be. I hope the launch of DyslexicU today can be a reminder to you that thinking in a different way to everyone else is indispensable in this new world of work. It’s your superpower.
OPP officers stand near the scene of a shooting where one Ontario Provincial Police officer was killed and two others were injured in the town of Bourget, Ont. on May 11, 2023. The Canadian Press/Patrick Doyle
Violent crime is surging in some of Canada’s major cities, with sexual assault rates showing the largest increase over the short and long term, according to a new report.
Sexual assault cases climbed in eight of nine major cities over the past seven years, with Ottawa being the exception to the trend, according to a study [read the full report at the end of this post] by the Macdonald Laurier Institute (MLI). The incidence of sexual assault has risen since 2016 in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto, Montreal, Peel, Ont., and York, Ont., with the last nearly doubling from 2016 to 2023.
“In recent years there has been a surge in violent crime across Canada as a whole,” says the report authored by Dave Snow and Rickard Audas, senior fellows at MLI. “We found that violent crime was increasing in many cities in the short-term, most notably for sexual assaults and robberies.”
Winnipeg and Edmonton recorded the highest number of sexual assault cases during the seven-year period. In 2023, Edmonton had a sexual assault rate of 108.64 cases per 100,000 people, while Winnipeg saw a rate of 107.76. Toronto followed at 97.8 cases.
The rate in Peel, on the other hand, was 52.15 cases last year, the lowest among all major cities.
The study’s goal was to analyze crime trends at a local level. To do so, the authors looked at 10 years of police-reported violent crime records from nine major cities, which they say account for one-third of the Canadian population.
They considered four crime categories: homicide, aggravated assault, sexual assault, and robbery. They did not include Vancouver data on sexual assault because of differences in how it reports the crime, they noted.
Winnipeg: Highest Robbery Rates
The robbery rate in Manitoba’s capital last year was nearly triple that of every other major city, at 305.82 cases per 100,000 population, according to the report. The rate has increased by more than 50 percent since 2016, decreasing slightly from 2019 to 2021, and reaching a peak in 2023.
The authors noted the rate decline coincides with the years of pandemic lockdowns.
The second highest robbery rate last year was in Edmonton, which had less than half that of Winnipeg, at 106.01 cases per 100,000 population. Alberta’s capital city had the second highest rate for the entire period, while Montreal and Toronto have followed closely in recent years.
By contrast, York reported the lowest robbery rates since 2016 among all major cities, with 31.66 cases last year. Ottawa and Peel also reported lower rates than other cities.
Edmonton: Highest Rates of Aggravated Assault
Edmonton’s aggravated assault rate in 2023 was more than four times that of any other major Canadian city except Winnipeg, said the report, at 38.72 incidents per 100,000 population compared to Winnipeg’s 22.81.
Aggravated assault refers to injuring, maiming, disfiguring, or endangering someone’s life, according to the Criminal Code of Canada.
The aggravated assault rate from 2016 to 2023 was highest in Edmonton, where it’s been rising steadily over the last decade, according to the study. Winnipeg had the second highest rates in the study period.
The authors said that despite being Canada’s largest city, Toronto has experienced “a considerable decline” in its aggravated assault rate over the last decade, with 8.29 cases in 2023.
York had the lowest rates since 2016, followed by Peel and Montreal. For The Silo, Carolina Avendano/The Epoch Times.
Those who are in the Armed Forces and the general population of Anime fanatics seem to overlap too often to be coincidence. What one armed forces deployment in Okinawa, Japan does to you…
Remember who you’re fighting for. For us, It’s always been Ankou team. Yukari is best girl.
To take a few educated guesses: there’s some of you who are still in denial about liking anime, some of you who are seething with rage that anime even exists in the first place, and probably a few older fellows who are about to be extremely confused. (we’re sorry)
BUT For those of you who already know what’s up: here’s the skinny- basically this post is just a heads up on a sale of all things anime at the kommandostore. Yep that store. Impressive surplus and new military style clothing and ephemera. That shit looks good and holds up. It is tough.
So what about the anime sale?
No codes, human instrumentality, getting isekai’d by truck-kun, or magical-girl transformations needed to take full advantage this weekend. Whether you’ve deliberately sought it out or stumbled upon it on accident, there’s no running from the appeal of anime merch. It’s fun, colorful, sassy, sexy, suggestive and playful. The perfect sort of addition to a pack or helmet cover or laptop or whatever. You get the idea. Maybe you didn’t even know that the kommandostore, known for high quality new and surplus military clothing and items even did that kind of stuff and are just finding out now? If that’s the case, know that all the merch is done in collaboration with Atamonica and is our magnum opus.
The founder of Anduril loves it so much that it’s officially licensed, but that’s a story for another day…
Anduril- transforming US & Allied military capabilities with advanced technologies.
So regardless of if you’re ready to disappoint and confuse your loved ones, or if you’re in the ironic denial phase of being an Anime-watcher ONE OF US! ONE OF US! ONE OF US! We hope you enjoy all the deals with us this weekend.
Just throw it all in your cart and we’ll do the hard work while you finish catching up on the seasonal shows/Vtuber VODs/manga… 2D > 3D (´･ω･`) We love the anthropomorphized missiles so much it’s unreal. Go follow Atamonica. For the Silo, Jarrod Barker.
Let’s Hope for Solid Hit from the PBO’s Third Swing at Carbon Tax Analysis
The “corrected” analysis by the Parliamentary Budget Office of the carbon tax and rebates is due soon. One hopes it will get more things right in this third crack at evaluating the government of Canada’s assurance that most Canadians will receive enough from the carbon tax rebates to cover their cost of paying the tax.
Reporting in 2022 and in an update last year, the PBO analysis confirmed the government assertion so long as induced economic effects from the carbon levy are not included. However, once the economic damage from the levy is included, the PBO concluded that the rebates fall short of keeping family budgets whole.
The PBO’s conclusion was seized on by Conservative politicians and others to justify calls to revoke the carbon tax. Now, more knives have come out. The NDP says it would scrap the tax on households and put the burden on large emitters, but it does not yet explain how it would square that with the current big-emitter carbon tax. And BC, where carbon taxing began in Canada, has said it would drop the tax if Ottawa removed the legal requirement.
Much is at stake with this third PBO swing.
After the second report, the PBO admitted that its analysis had included, in addition to the carbon tax on households, the tax on large emitters as well. The economic impacts had been taken from work passed over to the PBO by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), which included the effects of the tax as applied to both industrial and household payers. The budget officer said the error was small and had little consequence for the analysis and promised a corrected version this fall.
The Canadian Climate Institute estimates that 20-48 percent of the emissions reduction by 2030 will come from the levy on large emitters compared to 8-14 percent from households. Given the scale of the large emitters tax, it is likely that it has significant economic effects on any forecast. Fixing this should not, however, be the most consequential revision to its analysis.
The PBO’s first two efforts had an analytical asymmetry. It measured the economic cost originating in the tax, exaggerated as it turned out, but did not attempt to capture the economic benefits (not to mention any health gains) from the effects of the household carbon levy in mitigating climate change. Put differently, their work was, in effect, based upon the faulty premise that climate change brings no economic damage. The massive and growing costs of cleaning up fire and flood damage and adapting to the many other consequences of global warming bear evidence of such costs. The PBO could and should do its own analysis of those climate change costs and, hence, the benefits of mitigation. Or it could more easily tap into the substantial body of available literature.
Lowering Canada’s Gross Domestic Product
In Damage Control, the Canadian Climate Institute estimated climate change would lower the Gross Domestic Product by $35 billion from what it would otherwise have been in 2030; the impact would rise to $80 to $103 billion by 2055. Through cutting emissions, the household carbon tax will reduce this cost. International literature is rich, and the PBO could review it for applicability to Canada. As but one example, Howard and Sterner’s (2017) meta-analysis on the impacts of climate change concluded most studies underestimated them. Their preferred estimate points to a GDP hit of between 7 and 8 percent of GDP if there are no catastrophic damages and 9 to 10 percent if there are. Conceptual thinking is also advancing. Consideration is being given to there being “tipping points” where a certain degree of climate change may have much more non-linear dramatic economic effects. Some, like Stern and Stigliz, even question the worth of comparing an economic outlook with mitigation action against a status quo baseline as the PBO has done. They argue that without mitigation, there may not be a sustainable economic outcome.
Finally, those still inclined to think that a corrected Fall 2024 PBO report will provide ammunition to “axe the tax” need to ask themselves two questions.
First, is there value in the emissions reduction resulting from the household carbon tax? The Canadian Climate Institute concludes that the 8-14 percent contribution to emissions reduction by 2030 will grow in later years. Even with the tax and all the other policies announced to date, there is a 42-megatonne gap in Canada’s 2030 emissions reduction target. More than 200 Canadian economists signed an open letter asserting that “carbon pricing is the lowest cost approach because it gives each person and business the flexibility to choose the best way to reduce their carbon footprints. Other methods, such as direct regulations, tend to be more intrusive and inflexible, and cost more.” If not the household carbon tax, then what else?
Don Drummond is the Stauffer-Dunning Fellow in Global Public Policy and Adjunct Professor at the School of Policy Studies at Queen’s University and a Fellow-In-Residence at the C.D. Howe Institute.
As the automotive industry evolves at a rapid-fire pace, trust in autonomous driving vehicles remains a critical challenge amid pervasive reliability concerns. Addressing this substantial industry pain point is automotive AI technology disruptor Autobrains Technologies. Its game-changing “Liquid AI” innovation—combining AI-assisted driving with its Autonomous Driving capabilities—directly addresses such marketplace reliability concerns, setting new standards for autonomous driving in the process.
“The safety debate surrounding AVs is more relevant than ever,” notes Autobrains Founder and CEO Igal Raichelgauz. “While AVs promise to reduce traffic fatalities by eliminating human error such as distracted driving, there are still significant reliability concerns for both manufacturers and drivers. The ongoing dialogue around AVs is critical, and we’re not only at the forefront of these discussions, but also advancing AI that prioritizes driverless car safety. We believe our Liquid AI technology offers a paradigm shift by mimicking human cognitive processes, thereby improving the system’s adaptability and decision-making in real-time. The automotive industry stands at a crossroad. We are proud to lead this charge, setting new standards for what AI in driving can achieve.”
Driving Change
Autobrains’ revolutionary Liquid AI technology enhances situational awareness and decision-making, providing a safer and more reliable driving experience. As AI continues to evolve, these advancements are crucial in building trust and adoption among drivers and manufacturers, alike. Combining AI-assisted driving with its Autonomous Driving capabilities, Liquid AI enhances situational awareness and decision-making, providing a safer and more reliable driving experience, which is crucial in building trust and adoption among both drivers and manufacturers. As AI continues to be integrated into vehicles, the question of generating trust becomes paramount.
“The reliability of Autonomous Driving has been a significant concern for both manufacturers and drivers,” said Raichelgauz. “We believe that our Liquid AI technology offers a paradigm shift by mimicking human cognitive processes, thereby improving the system’s adaptability and decision-making in real-time. Traditional AI, with its narrow focus, often falls short when faced with the unpredictable nature of real-world driving. Liquid AI, however, marks a significant departure from this approach. By incorporating principles of human cognition, it learns and adapts in real-time, ensuring that our driving systems are predictable and optimized for any real-world driving scenario.”
There are several key factors that differentiate Liquid AI from traditional AI systems. These include:
Robust Edge Case Handling: Effectively addresses the long tail of edge cases that traditional AI systems struggle with.
Human-Like Cognitive Processing: Mimics human decision-making, allowing for better handling of unpredictable real-world conditions.
Efficient Resource Utilization: Lower computational power requirements make it scalable across various vehicle models without compromising performance.
Real-Time Learning: Liquid AI adapts in real-time to new driving scenarios, ensuring higher accuracy and fewer false positives.
With a background in AI innovation spanning multiple disciplines, Raichelgauz is a distinguished technology executive who has co-founded several successful businesses, including Cortica—a company renowned for its self-learning technology in visual perception. Under his leadership, the Autobrains Liquid AI technology is now driving consequential change in the automotive industry by resolving autonomous vehicle reliability.
“The automotive industry stands at a crossroad,” Raichelgauz continued. “As we continue to integrate AI into our vehicles, the question of generating trust becomes paramount. Traditional AI, with its narrow focus, often falls short when faced with the unpredictable nature of real-world driving. Liquid AI, however, marks a significant departure from this approach. By incorporating principles of human cognition, it learns and adapts in real-time, ensuring that our driving systems are predictable and optimized for any real-world driving scenario. At Autobrains, we are proud to lead this charge, setting new standards for what AI in driving can achieve.” For the Silo, Merilee Kern.
Back in February we wrote about the superb Oculus Rift virtual reality sailing app MarineVerse Cup. This fully immersive and accurate simulation surprised us with its physics based playset and incredibly realistic sense of actually sailing. (Add a fan moving air into your face and body for an even more visceral experience.) It is a most welcome virtual reality experience.
MarineVerse started development with a focus on regattas while aiming to create what the developers called “a chill sailing game”. Like all robust apps, the developments and updates continued and I wouldn’t be surprised if one day we might see knot tying or rigging etc. as part of their sailing school.
Night Sailing!
The latest update allows VR mariners to try night sailing & boating and experience relaxing sailing under the stars at Akalana Island while testing navigation skills like never before.
Night Navigation Practice
Have you ever sailed at night? Can you distinguish safe water from an isolated danger mark by just looking at its lights? Often a feared outing for a novice sailor in the real world, you can learn safely, at your own pace, and without the fear of grounding your boat and risking your life.
Test your skills in MarineVerse Cup:
( The video doesn’t do it full justice; make sure to try it in VR yourself. )
Apple has just officially launched iOS 18, a major update that is set to redefine the iPhone experience with enhanced personalization, new capabilities, and seamless integration for gaming and entertainment. Available for download starting today, iOS 18 promises to bring a whole new level of interaction and performance for iPhone users starting with the older generation Xs and up to the latest 16 Pro.
Key Features of iOS 18
– Revamped User Interface (UI): iOS 18 introduces a more customizable interface, with dynamic widgets, a redesigned lock screen, and adaptive app layouts, making the experience more personal than ever.
– AI-Powered Personalization: Leveraging advanced AI, the system learns from user preferences, adjusting app recommendations, notifications, and even battery optimization to match individual habits. This feature promises a smarter, more intuitive user experience.
– Interactive Widgets: For the first time, iOS users can engage with widgets directly from the home screen. Whether it’s checking game stats or adjusting settings, this allows for quicker access to essential functions.
– Performance Boost: Apple has integrated the A18 Bionic chip into the latest iPhones, resulting in faster processing speeds, optimized graphics, and better multitasking capabilities. This is especially beneficial for gaming, where users will notice smoother graphics and higher frame rates.
– Expanded Gaming Capabilities: iOS 18 introduces Game Mode, a dedicated feature that optimizes performance while playing online games by reducing background processes and enhancing network stability. Users will experience faster response times and less lag, which is critical for real-time multiplayer games. This is coupled with Enhanced AR support, bringing online games to life in ways previously unseen.
– Cross-Device Connectivity: With iOS 18, gaming moves seamlessly across Apple devices. Game progress can now be synced across iPhone, iPad, and Mac, allowing users to pick up where they left off, regardless of the device they’re using.
Comparison with Previous iOS Versions
– Performance Gains: Compared to iOS 17, iOS 18 offers up to 30% faster app launches and a 20% increase in battery life for gamers. This is a result of the new battery optimization algorithms and improved processor efficiency.
– Gaming Improvements: The introduction of Game Mode and AR-enhanced experiences is a leap from previous iterations, positioning iOS 18 as the ideal platform for mobile gaming enthusiasts. Apple’s new Metal 3 framework [MetalFX upscaling first seen in an impressive 2022 demo showcasing Resident Evil Village running as a Mac port- see video below CP] also enhances the gaming experience with more detailed textures and faster loading times.
Impact on Online Gaming
iOS 18’s Game Mode and improved connectivity features ensure that mobile gamers can enjoy uninterrupted, high-performance gameplay on online platforms. This feature helps tackle a longstanding challenge of latency and performance dips during competitive play.
“iOS 18 transforms the online gaming landscape by making iPhone not just a communication device, but a full-fledged gaming console in the palm of your hand. With its advanced features, smoother gameplay, and seamless cross-device experience, iOS 18 is a game-changer,” said Vadim Khrulev, Founder and CEO at thesolitaire.com.
With iOS 18, Apple is once again pushing the boundaries of what is possible on a mobile device. For gamers, content creators, and everyday users, the new OS offers unmatched personalization, performance, and cross-platform experiences. As the gaming industry continues to expand, iOS 18 ensures that iPhone remains at the forefront of the digital entertainment world.
Monterey, Calif. (Sept, 2024)— After years of campaigning to free Tule elk at Point Reyes National Seashore, In Defense of Animals applauds the California Coastal Commission’s (CCC) speedy approval of America’s National Park Service’s (NPS) proposal to dismantle the deadly, infamous, 8-foot-tall,/ 2.4 m, 2-3-mile/ 3.2-4.8 km long fence confining them.
Over 475 Elk Died Over A Decade Due To Fence- Many More Suffered With Poor Health
The wire and wooden post barrier fence was built to keep elk in, and away from for-profit beef and dairy ranches which lease land from the public and, in return, pollute the Seashore park and sentence hundreds of elk to starve and die of thirst by restricting the movement of these wild animals in a national park. Over 475 Tule elk died over a decade as a result of the fence, a larger number of these gentle, plant-eating ungulates than is currently still held captive inside the fenced compound, called a “Reserve,” despite its deadly effect on Tule elk.
After years of animals rights and citizen activist demonstrations and pressure, in June 2023 the NPS finally relented and officially reversed its position on a 45-year-old park policy that kept this Tule elk herd confined to the drought-stricken Tomales Point, the northernmost peninsula of the popular San Francisco Bay Area national park unit. The recent vote, technically speaking, is a CCC concurrence with a “negative determination” assessment of no significant environmental impact caused by removing the 45-year-old fence as part of the new “Tomales Point Area Plan” (TPAP).
This bureaucratic hurdle, much easier to clear than an 8-foot-tall fence, is part of a years-long process that has been underway since June 2023, in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The CCC’s approval on Sept. 12 will allow the NPS to continue its process to dismantle the fence, which in turn will allow the elk inside the Reserve to wander south of the fence line, into other, wetter areas of the park’s full 71,000 acres. Their current home, the Reserve, by comparison, is only 2,600 acres.
Their fence-down freedom will, both quickly and over time, improve the health of the herd.
And, significantly, reduce the number of painful, slow elk deaths from thirst and starvation during California’s hot, dry summer and autumn seasons.
With the fence dismantled, the elk will also be able to mix and mate with elk from the park’s other two herds. The two other herds are less restricted in their movements — although they, and all of the park’s approximately 700 elk, are still affected and negatively impacted by the contiguous, privately-owned, beef and dairy cow ranches. These businesses lease over one-third of Point Reyes from the public — and keep it fenced off to public access too, even though the public owns the land.
Thousands of beef and dairy cows (who are confined and used themselves) pollute even more of the seashore’s land, water and air every year (and every day) with millions of pounds of manure and methane.
Activists are delighted that the fence removal process is finally underway.
Jack Gescheidt, Tule elk consultant for the international animal protection organization, In Defense of Animals, said, “It’s a treat, for once, to not have to testify at a Coastal Commission meeting about how destructive, polluting and cruel some policy or regulation is. We activists want the fence down. The public wants the fence down. The Park Service now wants the fence down. And now the Commission has approved this major improvement to a public park.”
Gescheidt added, “And we hope the NPS [America’s National Park Service CP] follows through with the fence removal before the end of the year. We offer volunteer help with the historic fence-dismantling work!”
In Defense of Animals’ Tule Elk Campaign works tirelessly to not just free the Tule elk at Point Reyes National Seashore, but to also re-wild all 71,000 acres of Point Reyes to wild animals, by finally ousting the private beef and dairy ranches which are this beloved national park’s major source of land degradation, water contamination and air pollution. These businesses were paid millions of dollars for their land in the 1960s, and had agreed to leave by 1987, but have resisted doing so ever since. www.idausa.org/elk
In Defense of Animals is an international animal protection organization based in California with over 250,000 supporters and a 41-year history of fighting for animals, people, and the environment through education and campaigns as well as hands-on rescue facilities in India, South Korea, and rural Mississippi. www.idausa.org
Featured image: Bonnie-Jill Laflin at Pt. Reyes Elk Reserve by Jack Gescheidt/Tree Spirit Project.
There could be a number of reasons why you are looking to sell coins in Toronto. Maybe you inherited a whole bunch and you aren’t quite sure what to do with them – or maybe you are collector and want to sell off a few for a bit of extra money. You could also be someone who found a stash of old coins at home and are wondering if any are rare and can be worth something.
In either case, it’s important that you go to a trusted source that can ensure you are getting the right value for your coins. If you visit Muzeum.ca/pages/coins you will see that they offer free evaluations by experts who can tell you if you have something worthwhile on your hands.
What They Buy
This Toronto storefront of the famous Great Canadian Roadshow will buy Canadian and American coins, but because of their large network of collectors they are able to take any kind of gold or silver coin off your hands.
Gold Coins
Worldwide from any nation (Austrian, Mexican, etc.)
American – Gold Eagle, Liberty Head, Indian Head
Olympic
Centennial
Royal Canadian Mint
Silver Coins
Worldwide from any nation (Austrian, Mexican, etc.)
Canadian dated 1968 and Earlier
American dated 1964 and Earlier
JFK Half Dollars 1969 and Earlier
British Coins dated 1946 and Earlier
They will also buy numismatic, commemorative, proof, and uncirculated coins.
What Makes a Coin Valuable?
There are a number of factors that go into what makes coinage valuable – precious metal content being one of them. If coinage is made of gold or silver it will be worth money purely based on the fact that it is made of precious metals.
Typically, Canadian and American coins from the mid-1960s and earlier were made of silver, making them more valuable than coinage dated later. This is because after the Great Depression it became harder to make coins out of silver, so they began to make them out of bronze, copper, and/or steel.
But even then some coins like the Canadian 1948 silver dollar (dubbed the “King of Canadian Silver Dollars”) can be worth a lot of money simply because so few of them were minted. In fact, though 18,780 coins were minted only a few are said to have survived. Therefore, rarity is another determining factor of coinage value.
Another factor is the design of the coin and whether or not there were any errors in its production. Take, for instance, the 1906 Canada “Small Crown” Quarter where the crown was printed in error with a smaller crown than what it should have. These few misprints can be worth almost $1,000.
Finally, coinage maintains its value when it is well taken care of. A scale of 1 to 70 is used to determine the grade of a coin. Mint condition, uncirculated, or dated coinage is usually rated between 65 and 70.
Only One Way to Be Sure
After all is said and done, the only way you can tell for sure how much your coins might be worth is by taking them in to get evaluated. An expert will be able to check whether your items are authentic based on multiple factors including weight, precious metals, design, and minting.
The origin story of the quintessential “Slav” outfit…
A True Story Goes to Hollywood
Here is another fine article via friends at kommandostore.com- you can find your size and place your order here. In 1995, pilotScott O’Grady was flying his F-16 on a mission during the Bosnian war, when his aircraft was destroyed by an SA-6 Missile.
SA-6/ 2K12 SAM surface to air missile launcher.
He survived by successfully ejecting from the aircraft, but was forced to spend nearly a week evading local military forces before he could be rescued by US Marines.
He wasn’t approached to consult on the making of Behind Enemy Lines, nor was he paid for the rights to his story. As one could imagine, lawsuits ensued and “Behind Enemy Lines” would later be presented as the story of a different person in a very similar set of circumstances…
Behind Enemy Lines, 2001
This action flick featured Owen Wilson playing Chris Burnett, a pilot who gets shot down over Bosnia on a reconnaissance mission. He ejects, but that’s only where his problems begin.
The lieutenant spends the rest of the film evading an extremely dangerous lone-wolf sharpshooter and the rest of the Bosnian-Serb military.
Almost immediately upon release, the movie was a cult-hit among firearms & military enthusiasts in the US. The main antagonist, Sasha Ivanic was in many ways the focal point of this obsession.
Sasha’s iconic track jacket became an “it item” among collectors, but it was nowhere to be found…
Stealing The Show
Ultimately the film’s legacy hasn’t been kind to its hero. Sasha Ivanic is such cool villain that despite having almost no lines, he completely steals the show.
Vladmir Mashkov, the actor playing Sasha, left such a lasting impression on audiences that he shaped Eastern European villains and anti-heros for years to come.
The protagonist of Grand Theft Auto IV, Niko Bellic, was based almost entirely on Sasha — Rockstar Games even intended to cast him for the role. GTA IV would go on to be one of the most celebrated video games in history, firmly cementing post-USSR “Slav” culture in the minds of millions.
Finding The Fit
Like many white whales we’ve chased, it all started with blurry photos circulating on obscure forums and social media pages. But try as we might, the search for the Sasha jacket always came up dry.
So, we rolled up our sleeves and got to work. We went frame by frame through the original movie, painstakingly made our own artwork and mockups, and designed our track jacket from the ground up.
Why Sarajevo?
The 1984 Olympics in context
The Boycott Games
The Olympic games during the Cold War were notorious for boycottsorganized by dozens of countries up through the 1980s.
Melbourne ’56, Tokyo ’64, Canada ’76, and particularly the Moscow Olympics in 1980 were all mired in international politics.
But in 1984, for the winter Olympics in Yugoslavia, there was a distinct (and welcome) lack of boycotts.
As a result the Sarajevo games had highest rate of participation of any Olympics during the Cold War. Unfortunately this moment of hope and unity was short-lived.
Civil war would divide Yugoslavia less than a decade later.
The Siege of Sarajevo
The siege of Sarajevo featured prominently in the opening chapters of the Bosnian war, and the brand-new Olympic facilities were caught in the crossfire.
As the battle intensified, Bosnian-Serbs famously dug in on the Bobsled/Luge track and used it as an artillery stronghold. To this day, you can still see firing ports drilled into the concrete.
The former olympic village was never redeveloped, and remains in ruins to this day…
…Just A Theory?
By late 2001, the Former-Soviet-Bloc countries were still in disarray, and ‘War On Terror’ was in full-swing.
In this post 9/11 world, films about the horrors of the Vietnam war, or the spy games of the Cold War just didn’t resonate. So, the way action movie antagonists were written had to evolve…
Real-world unknowns and fears drive how we write stories; whether it’s a humanitarian crisis inspiring movies about invading aliens from outer space, or zombies representing our fears around epidemics & disease.
Villains like Sasha Ivanic embodied this new era of guerilla tactics and hazy or mysterious motivations. Much like the terrorist groups feared by the public, there was no telling what they’d do next, or why.
Sasha’s Jacket begged some unknowns: Could Sasha have been an Olympian at Sarajevo? What was he really fighting for, or for whom? We never found out, but it’s part of what makes him so frightening and believable.
Sasha’s Legacy
Going on to inspire Anti Heros like Nico Bellic in GTA would be one thing, but he was certainly part of a larger trend of iconic Eastern European villains.
The Ivan Dragos of cinema were slowly replaced with the Vladimir Makarovs of video games, and with the re-opening of closed wounds constantly in Eastern Europe, Sasha’s morally grey character archetype continues to have a lasting relevance.
Sure, the boys in the Adidas track jackets were always there, but it was Sasha who made it the standard issue uniform.
September, 2024 – Tokyo, Japan – Sony Interactive Entertainment has officially announced the release of the PlayStation 5 Pro (PS5 Pro), set to hit the market on November 7, 2024. The PS5 Pro builds upon the success of the PlayStation 5 with significant upgrades in graphics performance, ray tracing, and AI-driven upscaling technology, positioning itself as the most powerful gaming console available today. Preorders for the PS5 Pro will begin on September 26, 2024.
Key Features of PS5 Pro:
– GPU Upgrade: 67% more compute units and 28% faster memory than the PS5.
– Advanced Ray Tracing: Provides 2x-3x faster reflection and refraction of light.
– AI-Driven Upscaling: PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution enhances image clarity with machine learning.
– Game Boost for Backward Compatibility: Applies to over 8,500 PS4 and PS5 titles.
Predicted Market Impact:
Based on previous console launch trends, the PlayStation 5 Pro is expected to capture a significant share of the console gaming market. Analysts predict that 15-20 million units of PS5 Pro could be sold globally within the first year of release. Early adopters and PlayStation loyalists are likely to make up the majority of these sales.
1. Demographics:
– Early Adopters (Ages 18-35): The core demographic, consisting of competitive gamers and tech enthusiasts, are expected to drive early sales.
– Casual Gamers (Ages 25-45): As the console matures, more casual gamers are anticipated to upgrade for the enhanced gaming experience, adding to overall sales.
2. Global Reach:
– North America and Europe will account for 65% of sales, with the U.S. alone expected to see 7 million units sold by the end of 2025.
– Asia, particularly Japan and China, will be major markets for growth due to strong console gaming cultures. Japan is expected to account for 3 million units sold.
– Impact on Rival Consoles:
The PS5 Pro is expected to attract current Xbox owners seeking better performance, with projections showing 5-8% of Xbox users considering switching to the PS5 Pro. The PS5 Pro’s launch, combined with exclusive titles like Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth and Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, could lure high-performance gamers away from Xbox Series X and Nintendo Switch.
Table: Console Market Share Projections for 2024-2025
Console
Projected Units Sold (2024-2025)
Market Share
PlayStation 5 Pro
15-20 million
45%
Xbox Series X
12-15 million
30%
Nintendo Switch OLED
10-12 million
25%
Sources: Market analysts at Statista and NPD Group
Predicted Impact on Daily Life and Gaming Habits:
With its enhanced performance, the PS5 Pro is expected to increase daily gaming time for players. According to previous studies, the average PlayStation user spends 2.6 hours per day gaming. With the PS5 Pro’s superior graphics and smoother gameplay, experts predict this number could rise to 3.2 hours per day, especially for competitive and multiplayer games, such as Fortnite and Call of Duty: Warzone.
Expert Commentary
Vadim Khrulev, CEO of The Solitaire online gaming, shares his perspective on the PS5 Pro’s expected impact:
“The PlayStation 5 Pro is not just an incremental upgrade; it’s a leap forward in gaming technology. Its advanced hardware will attract early adopters and high-performance gamers, positioning Sony to further dominate the console market. I anticipate that the PS5 Pro will likely capture 40-50% of the console market within a year, stealing market share from Xbox and even cutting into Nintendo’s casual gaming audience. The enhanced performance will undoubtedly increase daily playtime and keep players more engaged, which also opens the door for developers to push the limits of game design.”
Availability and Pricing:
– Launch Date: November 7, 2024
– Price: MSRP of $699.99 USD/ $952.41CAD [exchange rate at time of article posting], £699.99 GBP, €799.99 EUR, and ¥119,980 JPY
– Storage: 2TB SSD
– Preorders Begin: September 26, 2024
The PS5 Pro will be available at participating retailers and through PlayStation’s direct online store, direct.playstation.com.
About PlayStation:
Sony Interactive Entertainment is a global leader in digital entertainment and the PlayStation brand is synonymous with innovation in gaming hardware, software, and services.
In our louder and louder world, says sound expert Julian Treasure, “We are losing our listening.” In this short, fascinating talk, Treasure shares five ways to re-tune your ears for conscious listening — to other people and the world around you.
Julian Treasure studies sound and helps people and businesses to listen, speak and use sound well. This talk was presented at an official TED conference. For the Silo, David J. Hensley.
Transcript
00:03 We are losing our listening. We spend roughly 60 percent of our communication time listening, but we’re not very good at it. We retain just 25 percent of what we hear. Now — not you, not this talk, but that is generally true. 00:18 (Laughter) 00:19 Let’s define listening as making meaning from sound. It’s a mental process, and it’s a process of extraction. 00:27 We use some pretty cool techniques to do this. One of them is pattern recognition. (Crowd noises) So in a cocktail party like this, if I say, “David, Sara, pay attention” — some of you just sat up. We recognize patterns to distinguish noise from signal, and especially our name. Differencing is another technique we use. If I left this pink noise on for more than a couple of minutes, (Pink noise) you would literally cease to hear it. We listen to differences; we discount sounds that remain the same. 00:56 And then there is a whole range of filters. These filters take us from all sound down to what we pay attention to. Most people are entirely unconscious of these filters. But they actually create our reality in a way, because they tell us what we’re paying attention to right now. I’ll give you one example of that. Intention is very important in sound, in listening. When I married my wife, I promised her I would listen to her every day as if for the first time. Now that’s something I fall short of on a daily basis. 01:28 (Laughter) 01:29 But it’s a great intention to have in a relationship. 01:32 (Laughter) 01:34 But that’s not all. Sound places us in space and in time. If you close your eyes right now in this room, you’re aware of the size of the room from the reverberation and the bouncing of the sound off the surfaces; you’re aware of how many people are around you, because of the micro-noises you’re receiving. And sound places us in time as well, because sound always has time embedded in it. In fact, I would suggest that our listening is the main way that we experience the flow of time from past to future. So, “Sonority is time and meaning” — a great quote. 02:08 I said at the beginning, we’re losing our listening. Why did I say that? Well, there are a lot of reasons for this. First of all, we invented ways of recording — first writing, then audio recording and now video recording as well. The premium on accurate and careful listening has simply disappeared. Secondly, the world is now so noisy, (Noise) with this cacophony going on visually and auditorily, it’s just hard to listen; it’s tiring to listen. Many people take refuge in headphones, but they turn big, public spaces like this, shared soundscapes, into millions of tiny, little personal sound bubbles. In this scenario, nobody’s listening to anybody. 02:51 We’re becoming impatient. We don’t want oratory anymore; we want sound bites. And the art of conversation is being replaced — dangerously, I think — by personal broadcasting. I don’t know how much listening there is in this conversation, which is sadly very common, especially in the UK. We’re becoming desensitized. Our media have to scream at us with these kinds of headlines in order to get our attention. And that means it’s harder for us to pay attention to the quiet, the subtle, the understated. 03:23 This is a serious problem that we’re losing our listening. This is not trivial, because listening is our access to understanding. Conscious listening always creates understanding, and only without conscious listening can these things happen. A world where we don’t listen to each other at all is a very scary place indeed. So I’d like to share with you five simple exercises, tools you can take away with you, to improve your own conscious listening. Would you like that? 03:55 Audience: Yes! 03:56 Good. The first one is silence. Just three minutes a day of silence is a wonderful exercise to reset your ears and to recalibrate, so that you can hear the quiet again. If you can’t get absolute silence, go for quiet, that’s absolutely fine. 04:13 Second, I call this “the mixer.” (Noise) So even if you’re in a noisy environment like this — and we all spend a lot of time in places like this — listen in the coffee bar to how many channels of sound can I hear? How many individual channels in that mix am I listening to? You can do it in a beautiful place as well, like in a lake. How many birds am I hearing? Where are they? Where are those ripples? It’s a great exercise for improving the quality of your listening. 04:40 Third, this exercise I call “savoring,” and this is a beautiful exercise. It’s about enjoying mundane sounds. This, for example, is my tumble dryer. 04:49 (Dryer) 04:50 It’s a waltz — one, two, three; one, two, three; one, two, three. I love it! Or just try this one on for size. 04:58 (Coffee grinder) 05:07 Wow! So, mundane sounds can be really interesting — if you pay attention. I call that the “hidden choir” — it’s around us all the time. 05:16 The next exercise is probably the most important of all of these, if you just take one thing away. This is listening positions — the idea that you can move your listening position to what’s appropriate to what you’re listening to. This is playing with those filters. Remember I gave you those filters? It’s starting to play with them as levers, to get conscious about them and to move to different places. These are just some of the listening positions, or scales of listening positions, that you can use. There are many. Have fun with that. It’s very exciting. 05:46 And finally, an acronym. You can use this in listening, in communication. If you’re in any one of those roles — and I think that probably is everybody who’s listening to this talk — the acronym is RASA, which is the Sanskrit word for “juice” or “essence.” And RASA stands for “Receive,” which means pay attention to the person; “Appreciate,” making little noises like “hmm,” “oh,” “OK”; “Summarize” — the word “so” is very important in communication; and “Ask,” ask questions afterwards. 06:18 Now sound is my passion, it’s my life. I wrote a whole book about it. So I live to listen. That’s too much to ask for most people. But I believe that every human being needs to listen consciously in order to live fully — connected in space and in time to the physical world around us, connected in understanding to each other, not to mention spiritually connected, because every spiritual path I know of has listening and contemplation at its heart. 06:46 That’s why we need to teach listening in our schools as a skill. Why is it not taught? It’s crazy. And if we can teach listening in our schools, we can take our listening off that slippery slope to that dangerous, scary world that I talked about, and move it to a place where everybody is consciously listening all the time, or at least capable of doing it. 07:07 Now, I don’t know how to do that, but this is TED, and I think the TED community is capable of anything. So I invite you to connect with me, connect with each other, take this mission out. And let’s get listening taught in schools, and transform the world in one generation to a conscious, listening world — a world of connection, a world of understanding and a world of peace. 07:29 Thank you for listening to me today.
The Bloc Québécois is ready to wheel and deal with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government in exchange for support during confidence votes now that the Liberal government’s confidence and supply agreement with the NDP has ended.
That support won’t come cheap, the Quebec-based Bloc said, and the sovereigntist party led by Yves-François Blanchet has already drawn up a list of demands.
In an interview ahead of the opening of Monday’s party caucus retreat in the Outaouais region, Bloc House Leader Alain Therrien said his party is happy to regain its balance of power.
Alain Therrien
“Our objectives remain the same, but the means to get there will be much easier,” Therrien said. “We will negotiate and seek gains for Quebec … our balance of power has improved, that’s for sure.”
He called the situation a “window of opportunity” now that the Liberals are truly a minority government after New Democratic Party Leader Jagmeet Singh tore up the confidence and supply deal between the two parties last week, leaving the Bloc with an opening.
While Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives have promised multiple confidence votes in the hope of triggering a general election, the Bloc’s strategy is not to rush to the polls and instead use their new-found standing to make what they consider to be gains for Quebec.
A Bloc strategist who was granted anonymity by The Canadian Press because he was not authorized to speak publicly stated bluntly that the NDP had officially handed the balance of power back to the Bloc. The Bloc is taking for granted that when a federal election is held in about a year or less, it will be a majority Conservative government led by Poilievre, whose party has surged in the polls for over a year and has been ahead in the rest of Canada for over a year.
Quebec won’t factor so much in that win, the source added, where the Bloc will be hoping to grab seats from the Liberals and where the Conservatives hope to gain from the Bloc.
“It’s going to happen with or without Quebec,” the source said. “They (the Conservatives) are 20 points ahead everywhere in Canada, with the exception of Quebec, and that won’t change … their (Conservative) vote is firm.”
It is not surprising that the Bloc sees excellent news in the tearing up of the agreement that allowed the Liberals to govern without listening to their demands, said University of Ottawa political scientist Geneviève Tellier.
Geneviève Tellier
“The Bloc only has influence if the government, no matter which one, is a minority,” she explained. “In the case of a majority government, the Bloc’s relevance becomes more difficult to justify because, like the other parties, it can oppose, it can hold the government to account, but it cannot influence the government’s policies.”
On the Bloc’s priority list is gaining royal recommendation for Bill C-319, which aims to bring pensions for seniors aged 65 to 74 to the same level as that paid to those aged 75 and over.
A bill with budgetary implications that comes from a member of Parliament, as is the case here, must necessarily obtain royal recommendation before third reading, failing which the rules provide that the Speaker of the House will end the proceedings and rule it inadmissible.
The Bloc also wants Quebec to obtain more powers in immigration matters, particularly in the area of temporary foreign workers, and recoup money it says is owed to the province.
The demands concerning seniors’ pensions and immigration powers are “easy, feasible and clear,” Therrien said.
“It’s clear that it will be on the table. I can tell you: I’m the one who will negotiate,” he added.
The Bloc also wants to see cuts to money for oil companies, more health-care funds for provinces as demanded by premiers and stemming or eliminating Ottawa’s encroachment of provincial jurisdictions. For The Silo, The Canadian Press.
To: Canadians concerned about prosperity From: Don Wright Date: September 4, 2024 Re: Some Basic Living Standard Arithmetic for Governments
Governments often talk about “creating jobs,” but what they really do is choose some jobs at the expense of others. With their myriad spending, taxing and regulatory decisions, all governments try to direct job growth to different sectors – public or private, services or goods, resources or non-resources, and so on.
We all hope governments choose wisely.
It would help if they started paying more explicit attention to one factor: The impact of their decisions on Canadians’ standard of living.
A country’s standard of living is largely determined by the wages and net government revenue its tradeable goods and services sector can pay while remaining competitive against international competitors. If a company or sector is uncompetitive, it will have to either lower its wages, pay less tax or go out of business. These pressures on companies are never-ending. They determine both the wages a sector can afford to pay, and, through the interconnectedness of labour markets, average wages across the economy.
Some industries are so productive they can pay relatively high wages and significant taxes and yet remain competitive.
Industries that aren’t as productive can only pay lower wages and less tax.
Governments whose policies have the effect of moving labour from one sector to another had better pay attention to such facts.
Canadians may not like it but many of the country’s best-paying and most tax-rich jobs are found in natural resources. I was head of British Columbia’s public service. For most of B.C.’s history the province’s economic base has been dominated by natural resource industries – forestry, mining, oil and gas, agriculture and fishing. For a variety of reasons, these industries face strong political headwinds. Many groups press to constrain them and diversify away from them. The alternatives proposed include technology, film and tourism.
A few years ago, I asked officials in the province’s finance ministry to assess the relative performance of these different industries along the two key dimensions of average wages and net government revenue. In 2019-20 B.C. spent approximately $11,700 per citizen. Half the population was employed that year. So, to “break even” (i.e., have a balanced budget), the province had to collect $23,400 per employed person. If you look at things this way, each industry’s “profit” or “loss” is simply its revenue per employee less $23,400.
No such calculation will be exact, of course.
Several assumptions have to be made to get to an average “profit” or “loss” per employee. But, with that caveat, the numbers the officials brought back were telling. The industry with the biggest return to the province was oil and gas, at $35,500 per employee. Forestry was next, at $32,900. Then mining, at $14,900, and technology, though only at $900.
By this measure of profit and loss, however, film was a money loser, at -$13,400, and so was tourism, at -$6,900.
The negative numbers for the film industry reflect the very significant subsidies that B.C. (like many other provinces) provides to this sector. The negative number for the tourism sector primarily reflects low average wages per employee, which translate into relatively low personal income tax, sales tax and other taxes paid by employees.
These “profit or loss” numbers are not in any way a judgment about workers in these sectors. People find the best employment available to them in the labour market. Relative demands in that market are determined by many factors, none of which workers control. That said, if governments consciously move resources from the “profit” industries to the “loss” industries, they had better be aware of the consequences for wages, taxes and the overall standard of living.
The numbers I’ve cited were for a single year in British Columbia. The same analysis for other provinces or for Canada as a whole would likely produce different numbers – though I’d be surprised if the overall pattern were much different. Voters will draw their own conclusions about the impact on British Columbians’ standard of living from constraining the resource industries and promoting other industries instead.
Unfortunately, this type of analysis is rarely done when Canadian governments make decisions about what types of jobs they want to give preference to through their taxation, spending and regulatory decisions. They should do more of it. Ultimately, if [they] care about Canadians’ standard of living, governments need to start paying attention to the basic arithmetic of that standard of living.
Don Wright, senior fellow at the C.D. Howe Institute and senior counsel at Global Public Affairs, previously served as deputy minister to B.C.’s premier, cabinet secretary and head of the public service.
Fall is one of the most beautiful times of the year.
It is also quite a bit of fun to play with fashion during this season. While the temperatures are lower, the freezing weather hasn’t set in yet. At the same time, warmer and cozier color palettes begin to set in. So, if you want to remain fashion forward during these months, then you have come to the right place. Here are all of the tips that you need to be aware of.
Get Inspiration from the Trends
This year saw a lot of ‘double denim’ on the runway at Paris Fashion Week 2024 signaling the returning trend of the “Canadian tuxedo”.
“As seen at Schiaparelli, Victoria Beckham and Dior, even brands who are known more for their elegant aesthetics and couture-grade craftspersonship than they are they’re day-to-day wearability served up double-dose denim outfits to very chic standard. Of course, this a trend you can easily re-create with denim pieces you already have in your wardrobe, they need not match perfectly, but you can absolutely expect to see more deliberate denim co-ordinates on the market from here on out.” whowhatwear.com
Sure, there is a lot to be said for going your own way when it comes to trends. However, it is often easier to include at least some of the current styles in your wardrobe. For one thing, you will find it a great deal easier to shop during the season.
Clark’s Torhill Rise Women’s Fall boot in dark green looks great and fights the elements.
Men’s Under Armor Rival Fleece Hoodie in orange makes a strong Fall statement.
So, make sure to stock up on your oranges, pinks, and purples for your clothes. And when it comes to your footwear, be prepared for the Fall with shoes from Clarks. Once you have the basics on hand, you can mix and match them clothes that are in line with your personal style.
Draw Inspiration from Nature
It isn’t just trends that can show you how to dress. The natural surroundings can be a great guide for you as well. During fall, the foliage bursts into glorious hues and shades. So, why not borrow some inspiration from these tones? Browns and oranges can be a great way to add a cozy feel to your wardrobe while also opting for a more neutral look as well.
NOTHING READS laid-back elegance in cold weather quite like cable knit sweaters.
Dress for the Cooler Weather
While you may not exactly be shivering in your flats just yet, there is no denying that the weather has gotten quite a bit cooler. Thus, you need to dress accordingly. To begin with, get yourself some durable Blundstone shoes. Classic and proven boots never go out of style and these will ensure that you remain chic yet toasty. What’s more, you can wear them with all kinds of outfits as well.
Since you may not be ready to bring on the winter jackets, consider wearing thinner layers instead. This way, you can gently peel off one or more layer, should it get too warm. Layering with thinner garments also prevents you from looking too bulky.
Don’t Forget Accessories
Your look is never fully completed without accessories. This is a rule of thumb that remains true during the fall as well. So, make it a point to switch up your jewelry during this time of year. If you are opting for warmer tones with your clothing, make sure that you follow suit with your jewelry as well. This means that you should go with gold, copper, or brassy colors.
Included in this Fall’s top jewelry trends from vogue.com are ‘bent and folded’ metallic earrings such as these shown here from Ferragamo Photo: Armando Grillo / Gorunway.com
On the other hand, if your wardrobe will be largely made up of the season’s pinks and purples, you can play it a little cooler. And, you certainly shouldn’t forget about hair accessories either! Make sure to opt for jewelry that will really make a statement with your fall hairdos and colors.
These are the top fashion tips for you to follow if you need some guidance on how to dress in the fall. So, keep these tips and tricks in mind at all times.
Porsche is well known for a love of details and colours. And if the normal option list just isn’t enough, the experts from Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur, Porsche Classic and our Sonderwunsch programme are happy to help.
In this article we will cast the light on some of the recent special editions and look at the illustrious career of Michael Mauer, Vice President Style Porsche, who celebrated his 20th anniversary with the brand.
As if that wasn’t enough, two extraordinary events took place recently.
While the Formula Student Germany brought together top students and motorsport enthusiasts, Porsche once again attended the Gamescom in Cologne, the world’s biggest trade fair for computer games.
Something extraordinary does not just happen somehow, somewhere. It happens at a very particular place. Hand-crafted. With experience. With passion. And through the inspiration of customers. Experts in their profession pass on these ideas and the personality of the buyers to the vehicle – and thus make a Porsche your Porsche.
What starts with special paint colours and a stylish leather interior can be topped with one-off cars from the Sonderwunsch department. Here, the highest level of customisation has been offered for more than 70 years. There are technically no boundaries other than the specific budget and the existing rules and regulations to get road approval for the vehicle in the country of the respective buyer.
The Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur is also responsible for special edition models that are either offered worldwide like the new 911 Turbo 50 Years** or only for a specific market like the Taycan Turbo K-Edition***.
Let’s have a look at some of the recent special editions.
During the recent Monterey Car Week in California, Porsche celebrated the debut of the new 911 Turbo 50 Years** edition to mark the 50th anniversary of our top-of-the-line sports car.
Paying tribute and reinterpreting the Turbo heritage
The 911 Turbo 50 Years** anniversary model is based on the 911 Turbo S**** introduced in 2019. It pays a special tribute to and reinterprets this heritage:
Limited 911 Turbo 50 Years** edition to just 1,974 units worldwide in honour of the year in which the first 911 Turbo made its debut.
When it was introduced in 1974, the Type 930 Porsche 911 Turbo shifted the boundaries of what was possible. It brought the benchmark turbo technology from the 917/10 and 917/30 racing cars into a production sports car with superior performance and combined it with a unique design and unprecedented day-to-day usability.
Combining outstanding performance and the finest materials with exclusive design elements, the 911 Turbo 50 Years edition is available with an optional Heritage Design package. Those who prefer a minimalistic look can dispense with some or all of the graphic elements on the outside.
The standard side vinyl graphics are a nod to the historic livery of the Porsche 911 RSR Turbo presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1973, itself a forerunner of the 911 Turbo*****.
It features the current Porsche Turbo-exclusive colour Turbonite, which makes its first appearance on a 911. Turbonite is also used on inlays in the rear engine cover, the fuel tank cap and in the Porsche crest. It is also being used as a contrasting colour in the Turbo 50 model logo.
One of the further highlights of this year’s Monterey Car Week was the premiere of a one-off car based entirely on the personal vision of designer and Speedster collector Luca Trazzi.
He made his dream of a 911 Speedster come true via the Sonderwunsch programme.
“In this form, and with this vast range of modifications, the 911 Speedster is our first Factory One-Off for an end customer. This one-off car shows what’s possible with our Sonderwunsch programme – based on a classic Porsche 911 from 1994.” Alexander Fabig, Vice President Individualisation & Classic at Porsche
It took more than three years to create this one-off car based on a 911 Carrera Cabriolet (Type 993) from 1994.
The two-seater with the characteristic rear lid underwent comprehensive technical modifications.
Out of passion, Trazzi designed what this model might look like. He wanted the project to unify the stylistic elements of all previous Speedster models.
Taycan Turbo K-Edition***
Next to special editions, the Sonderwunsch department and Porsche Exclusive are also working together with teams of specific Porsche markets to create unique editions only offered to customers there.
One example is the new Taycan Turbo K-Edition***, which is heavily inspired by Korean culture. It marks the 10th anniversary of 포르쉐코리아 / Porsche Korea and is available in five different exterior paints from the ‘Paint to Sample’ programme.
Designed exclusively for the K-Edition, a unique logo is based on the shape of a historical royal stamp. Within this symbol, the name ‘Taycan’ is written in traditional Korean characters.
The Style Porsche designers have also integrated a racetrack into the abstract representation of the logo and the specialists in the Sonderwunsch team hand-paint this logo in a high-gloss black onto the charging port door on the driver’s side.
Another unique selling point of the K-Edition is a special skyline graphic, created in close collaboration with Porsche Korea. The silhouette combines the characteristics of Korean cities, buildings and landscapes. It is also hand-painted in high-gloss black on the rear spoiler and the key housing.
Elsewhere on the car, the graphic is also milled into the front door entry guards (which are made of brushed black aluminium) and is revealed when the door sills are illuminated.
Inside, the skyline logo is embossed in the lower part of the leather dashboard on the passenger side.
Taycan Turbo K-Edition***911 S/T****** in Dani Blue
Some customers contact their Porsche dealers with special requests. Often, they would like to order a new car in a colour not offered in the current sample. If it is a paint from an earlier Porsche model, many of those can be found via the ‘Paint to Sample’ programme.
But sometimes an owner would like to have his or her personal colour of choice – maybe inspired from jewelry, a model car or just from imagination. This is where the Sonderwunsch team comes in with its ‘Paint to Sample Plus’ programme, as in the case of Porsche enthusiast Jorge Carnicero
As part of the Porsche Sonderwunsch programme, a comprehensively customised 911 S/T in Dani Blue****** has been created.
During the configuration of his 911 S/T, Carnicero asked the colour experts at Porsche to create a special blue that would suit the sporty, puristic character of the limited anniversary model.
The colour concept of the exterior is carried on in the interior, where it strikes a balance between the sporty, puristic S/T look and high-quality individualisation. The most striking feature is the tricoloured pepita pattern on the seat centres.
The sports car collector from the US state of Kentucky named the colour exclusively developed for him after Colour & Trim designer Daniela Milošević.
“Giving the paint my nickname is an overwhelming sign of gratitude for me and my work,” Daniela Milošević, Colour & Trim designer
911 S/T****** in Dani Blue
The hybrid design process at Porsche
With all these special models, did you ever wonder how the vision of a new Porsche actually becomes reality?
Innovative software – from the gaming sector, for instance – supports Style Porsche during the design process. But even in the age of digitalisation, our design department still values the design quality of classic sketches and labour-intensive clay models very highly. Along the path from vision to reality, the designers combine the best of both worlds.
Figure of the month:
20 years: That’s how long Michael Mauer has shaped our design as Vice President Style Porsche.
Continuity is an important aspect of the company philosophy at Porsche. As a luxury brand, Porsche is not about constantly inventing new things, but rather continuously refining things that are already good.
Last month, from 12 to 18 August, the international construction and design competition Formula Student Germany (FSG) took place at the Hockenheimring.
Racing teams from 20 different nations competed against each other. After intense months of preparation, the teams competed in the electric vehicle (EV) class and the so-called Driverless Cup (DC). The best overall package of design and performance as well as financial and sales planning is what counts.
911 GT3 RS*******
Porsche was also on site this year to exchange ideas with the young talents. Employees from some of our specialist departments and recruiting not only cheered on the students, but also advised them on career opportunities at the Porsche Careers stand.
“As Porsche, we have been involved in Formula Student for many years and have access to many talented engineers of tomorrow. The students put a lot of heart and soul into preparing for this competition. We experience an impressive team spirit.” Lena Siegle, Employer Branding
As a special highlight of the cooperation, Porsche invited its sponsored racing teams to the Porsche Experience Centre (PEC) at the Hockenheimring during the competition. A barbecue in a relaxed atmosphere provided the opportunity to talk to the experts from our departments and our recruiters.
“The dialogue with the students was extremely valuable for us. Getting to know their wishes and needs and meeting them at eye level at such events is essential for our work.” Sandra Knittel, Recruiting Young Talents
JOIN THE PORSCHE FAMILY: Interested in joining Porsche for an internship, thesis or dual studies? Find all our current vacancies here: https://porsche.click/NLStudents
Macan Turbo Electric********
With more than 300,000 visitors, Gamescom once again was the biggest get-together for the worldwide gaming community. For the second time, we were present at the trade fair with our own stand. At our exhibition space in Hall 9.1, visitors could dive into the world of the popular game Overwatch 2®.
“At Gamescom, we have created a special multi-sensory experience of the game with a special Porsche touch for the community to enjoy.” Deniz Keskin, Head of Brand Management & Partnerships
In the spring of 2024, we cooperated with game developer Blizzard Entertainment® for the first time on the successful Overwatch 2®. For the duration of Gamescom, the digital Porsche package was once again available in the game, with players being able to use it to equip the characters D.Va and Pharah with skins inspired by Porsche.
Further, our recruiting colleagues were also present with an additional careers stand on site to advise you about our dual study program, our apprenticeships, as well as other career opportunities.
This exhibition explores the imagery of the Himalayan Buddhist devotional art through over 100 paintings, sculptures, textiles, instruments, and an array of ritual objects, mostly dating between the 12th and 15th centuries.
“Tibetan Dharma drum, one of the eight dharma instruments of Tibetan Buddhism, is one of the dharma instruments in Tibetan Buddhism. There are many kinds of dharma instruments, such as big drum, bronze drum, waist drum, crank drum, jie drum and gapala drum. Mainly used in buddhist celebrations, religious festivals, living Buddha sitting on the bed, kaiguang ceremony and other major festive activities. The drum hammer of a crank drum is bent, like a bow.
The drum is about one meter in diameter. When chanting, the lama holds the drum handle in his left hand and hits the accompaniment with a crank drum hammer in his right hand. Kala drum, also known as “zama ru” in Tibetan, is made of wood, ivory and human skulls. The falbala is played with the diamond bell.” rugrabbit.com
This dazzling visual experience provides a roadmap for understanding Himalayan Buddhist worship through early masterworks, juxtaposed with a newly commissioned contemporary installation by Tibetan artist Tenzing Rigdol.
From emmanuelgallery.org- “Tenzing Rigdol’s imposing buddha silhouettes greet the viewer in their recognizable cross-legged seated positions—a posture often associated with meditation and peace—and with a stunning visual effect enhanced by the use of silks and fire imagery. The work brings vivid colors and interesting patterns to the eye, but the fires seemingly emerging from the bodies of the buddhas are also direct acknowledgements of the 155 Tibetans who have self-immolated since February 27, 2009.
In an ultimate act of sacrifice, these Tibetans set themselves on fire with the hope of bringing attention to the oppression currently faced by their society under the laws of the Chinese government. And yet, the buddhas seem peaceful, even welcoming in their balanced postures, their calming presences perfectly harmonized by an artist well-versed in representing both destruction and construction.
The contradictions on display are meant to challenge the viewer. They are simultaneously safe and subversive: beautiful to look at, devastating to comprehend. They are emblematic of this ambitious imagery created by Tenzing Rigdol, a Tibetan artist who has never set foot in Tibet.”
The Met exhibition is made possible by the Placido Arango Fund and Lilly Endowment Inc.
Additional support is provided by the Florence and Herbert Irving Fund for Asian Art Exhibitions and the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation.
Boulder, Colorado, September, 2024 – PS Audio now offers its Stellar Strata MK2 integrated amplifier, with updated features including a moving-magnet/moving coil phono stage, a built-in improved high-resolution DAC, a Class A analog preamp stage, a headphone output, 150 watts of output power, and more.
Paul McGowan, PS Audio CEO noted, “The Stellar Strata MK2 significantly improves upon the original Strata concept of providing a superb-sounding, versatile high-end integrated amplifier. Designing the Strata MK2 gave us the opportunity to implement our latest technical advancements in an all-in-one audio component that offers exceptional sound, has an attractive, compact design, and is easy to use.”
Analog enthusiasts can now enjoy the benefits of superior vinyl playback, thanks to the PS Audio’s Stellar Strata MK2’s new moving magnet/moving coil phono stage. Two stereo pairs of MM and MC RCA phono inputs are provided, plus two RCA and XLR line-level inputs. The Strata MK2 features fully balanced analog preamplifier circuitry.
It’s equally flexible in accommodating digital sources.
The Strata MK2’s built-in DAC can deliver up to 384kHz digital audio (depending on the source), with native DSD capability up to DSD256. The Strata MK2 includes one optical and two coaxial digital inputs, plus asynchronous USB and two I2S inputs. For headphone listeners, the Strata MK2 offers a top-quality Class A headphone amplifier.
The DAC utilizes PS Audio’s exclusive Digital Lens technology to deliver extraordinary sound quality from any digital source. All digital signals are fed in native mode into the DAC’s proprietary Digital Lens, which recognizes the sample rate, re-clocks the data, reduces jitter, and applies other processing.
The Stellar Strata MK2 is fully balanced from input to output, for extremely transparent, detailed sound quality and ultra-quiet operation. Its Class A preamplifier stage features PS Audio’s exclusive analog Gain Cell variable-gain volume circuitry, which eliminates the sonic degradation that can be caused by conventional volume controls.
A high-current, Class D hybrid output stage with exceptional linearity delivers 150 watts of power (into 4 ohms), to ensure that the most delicate musical details are faithfully conveyed, as well as the most complex orchestral crescendos.
Also available in black.
The PS Audio Stellar Strata MK2 offers a number of additional performance and convenience features. It’s digital filter for PCM sources allows the listener to choose between three settings, to tailor the response to personal preferences and program sources. The Strata MK2 also provides balance and phase controls (the latter for digital sources), input trim for each source, a headphone volume trim control, a USB port for potential future firmware upgrades, and a trigger output.
The PS Audio Stellar Strata MK2 integrated amplifier is currently available in a choice of silver or black finish at a US manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $3,499 usd/ $4,727 cad. Only available via official dealers near you. For the Silo, Frank Doris.
Stellar Strata MK2 Features at a Glance:
Class A balanced analog Gain Cell preamplifier Moving magnet/moving coil phono stage Full-function DAC to accommodate up to 384kHz digital audio and native DSD up to DSD256 Three single-ended and balanced analog inputs; moving magnet and moving coil phono inputs; digital inputs including two coaxial, two I2S, optical, and USB (asynchronous to 384kHz) Digital Lens technology Digital Lens re-clocks incoming data to reduce jitter and provide additional sonic advantages 150 watts per channel into 4 ohms, 100 watts into 8 ohms; high-current Class A hybrid output stage Built-in Class A headphone amplifier 5- 15-volt trigger output for connection to other A/V system components 21 lbs., 17″ wide by 2.8″ high by 13.5″ deep
Art is, or it should be, about more than simply making marks on a surface or manipulating materials into pleasing–or indeed displeasing–shapes…. perhaps the avant-garde or kitsch. A true artist benefits immeasurably by knowing about the history that has created the universe they traverse.
Ever wonder what all that academic talk is that curators like to use so much? Do you find it pretentious or worse?
Art Theory informs in so many ways, tracing the paths that have led to a particular moment or movement. A foundational understanding of the schools of thought, the histories, the thinkers who have wrought the ground you stand on as an artist today enriches not only your own mind but your work as well.
One such thinker who made a significant impact on the art world in the 1940s was Clement Greenberg. In 1939, Greenberg published one of his seminal works Avant-Garde and Kitsch. The essay not only launched Greenberg to nearly overnight notoriety, it also sparked a major development in the art world as a whole.
The essay begins with the following statement:
“One and the same civilization produces simultaneously two such different things as a poem by T.S. Eliot, and a Tin Pan Alley song, or a painting by Braque and a Saturday Evening Post cover. “
Click on the following scan to open the full essay in PDF form-
Click me to read full essay.
Greenberg goes on to classify Avant-Garde as those things that are untouched by the decline of taste and meaning in a society (a poem by T.S. Eliot or a painting by Braque) while Kitsch is the title bestowed on the rest of the clutter that appeals to the masses and asks nothing in return other than their money (a Tin Pan Alley song or a Saturday Evening Post cover).
The Portuguese-Georges Braque-1911.
For Greenberg, Avant-Garde situated itself outside the influences of both capitalist and communist influences that were gradually dampening society’s ability to appreciate any depth of meaning.
Greenberg wrote several other important essays over the course of his life and career. He was a strong proponent of Modernism being the last best hope for the preservation of integrity in art. Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning were among those he deemed the saviors of art in their time.
Understanding who Clement Greenberg was and why his influence matters is just one piece of the complex puzzle of being a well-rounded artist. There are libraries worth of books out there that will break down every bit of art theory and history you ever need to know.
Of course, who has time to read all that? How can you know where to begin? Who and what are some of the most important influences that have shaped the art world as it stands today and how are you meant to sort them out from the crowd? For the Silo, Brainard Carey.
It may only be the start of September but we Canadians know that the days are indeed growing shorter.
As we approach Fall and Winter (sorry!) and the weather starts becoming cooler, one of the best ways to layer is using Numi’s bamboo undergarments and basics under your clothing.
“Originally on the market as Nudy Patooti, this brand launched in 2013 and quickly changed its name to better reflect their customer base. Focusing on sustainability, peace, and kindness, Numi works with women for women. Each detail of design is done to make life easier for the working gal.
Founded by Michelle Shemilt, this company was born out of necessity. As a former equity trader, Shemilt was tired of losing her work clothes to sweat and deodorant stains that affected every top. Rather than shell out the money for constant dry cleaning, Shemilt went to work on a solution to benefit not only her but other working women who suffered the same issue.
Alongside a pro-woman mission, this brand also works for the world. Sustainability is a core goal for the company that works solely in eco-friendly fabrics and practices, Numi wants to leave a mark on their customers, but not the planet.” honestbrandreviews.com
The secret to layering, even in Fall and Winter, is to look stylish, not bulky.
Because their innovative collection consists of ultra-soft bamboo, you can seamlessly layer your fall fashions and holiday outfits in a multitude of ways. If that isn’t enough their transformative undergarments wick away sweat before it becomes an embarrassing stain or damages your clothes.
Each piece is made with high tech fabric that absorbs perspiration and protects your outfit to keep you feeling fresh as you go between any kind of event such as from the office to holiday parties. A Numi undergarment will get your favorite clothes back into regular wardrobe rotation while offering perks such as extending the life of your clothes, creating less laundry, lowering drying cleaning costs, and helping to regulate your body temperature.
Undergarments feature patented Sweat-Secret Technology, a high performance fabric in the underarm area to absorb moisture to help you stay dry and comfortable and your clothes clean.
Numi’s basic tees and tanks are also super comfortable essentials for layering, loungewear and sleepwear, and are perfect pieces to have in your wardrobe as the weather gets colder.
Both lightweight and stylish, their garments and undergarments will keep your body feeling fresh and fabulous underneath everything from your weekend sweaters to work silk blouses to holiday party dresses.
Transformative Highlights
Keep clothes clean and like new longer
Prevent embarrassing sweat stains from ruining an outfit (and your day)
Comfortably smooth the figure without being constrictive
Patented fabric technology absorbs and whisks away moisture from the body
Organic bamboo regulates body temperature, keeping you cooler when warm and warmer when cool (perfect for fall layering!)
Save money by not having to dry clean as often and save time by reducing laundry
Eco-friendly: made of organic bamboo and sustainably manufactured in Canada
Great for all shapes and sizes.
Fitted and ultra-soft, you can choose from a variety of classic feminine styles to keep you comfortable and worry-free during the weekends, in the office, or anytime! For the Silo, Katie Guest.
Several individuals in the UK have been sentenced to prison for posts they made online as authorities crack down on recent protests that led to race-motivated crimes. The laws that were used for the arrests in the UK compare as strikingly similar to Canadian laws dealing with online speech, including both existing legislation and the proposed Bill C-63. Why It Matters: Bill C-63, which has received second reading, significantly changes the laws governing online content in Canada.
“It’s alarming that the bill [C-63] enables individuals to anonymously file complaints with the Canadian Human Rights Commission against those they deem to be posting hate speech. If found guilty, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal can impose fines of up to $70,000 cad and issue takedown orders for the content in question.
“If the courts believe you are likely to commit a ‘hate crime’ or disseminate ‘hate propaganda’ (not defined), you can be placed under house arrest and your ability to communicate with others restricted.” revolver.news
Via eurocanadians.ca/ The People’s Choice by Sean Adl-Tabatabai: The Trudeau government has introduced a potentially Orwellian new law called the Online Harms Bill C-63, which will give police the power to retroactively search the Internet for ‘hate speech’ violations and arrest offenders, even if the offence occurred before the law existed. This new bill is aimed at safeguarding the masses from so-called “hate speech”.
Revolver.news reports: The real shocker in this bill is the alarming retroactive aspect.
Essentially, whatever you’ve said in the past can now be weaponized against you by today’s draconian standards. Historian Dr. Muriel Blaive has weighed in on this draconian law, labeling it outright “mad.” She points out how it literally spits in the face of all Western legal traditions, especially the one about only being punished if you infringed on a law that was valid at the time of committing a crime.
The Canadian law proposal is outright mad. It is retroactive, which goes against all our Western legal tradition, according to which you can be punished only if you infringed a law that was valid at the time when you committed a crime: “And it isn’t just stuff you’ve posted after the new law comes into force you can get into trouble for – oh, no – but anything you’ve posted, ever, dating back to the dawn of the internet. In other words, it’s a gold-embossed invitation to offence archaeologists to do their worst, with the prospect of a $20,000 cad reward if they hit paydirt. The only way to protect yourself is to go through all your social media accounts and painstakingly delete anything remotely controversial you’ve ever said.”
“Although, that won’t protect you from another clause in the bill – and this is where it trips over into as yet unimagined dystopian territory. If the courts believe you are likely to commit a ‘hate crime’ or disseminate ‘hate propaganda’ (not defined), you can be placed under house arrest and your ability to communicate with others restricted. That is, a court can force you to wear an ankle bracelet, prevent you using any of your communication devices and then instruct you not to leave the house. If the court believes there’s a risk you may get drunk or high and start tweeting under the influence – although how is unclear, given you can’t use your phone or a PC – it can order you to submit regular urine samples to the authorities. Anyone who refuses to comply with these diktats can be sent to prison.”
By externalizing the defense of free speech to the right and extreme right and by endorsing repression, the liberal left is playing a very dangerous game here. For those of us who are NOT on the right and extreme right, this is rather disheartening… The left is actually shooting itself in the foot and will come back whining, ‘amazed’ that ordinary people are so ‘ungrateful.’ Indeed it seems to have forgotten that the rule of law implies to solve disagreements in the voting booth rather than by silencing those who disagree with us. How can it hope to get the support of the public for this insanity?
An online X user recently shared that his wife wrote a letter to every Canadian MP concerning this chilling bill, and only one MP responded. He posted MP Rachel Thomas’s reply, which many are now calling one of the most insightful and well-crafted summaries on this alarming issue.
My wife wrote to all Canadian MP’s about our opposition to the Online Harms Bill C-63. MP Rachael Thomas of Lethbridge is the only one who wrote back … It is the best written summary of issues I have seen yet. Long, but here it is…
“Thank you for writing to me regarding Bill C-63, the Liberal’s latest rendition of their online harms legislation.
While the federal government has touted this bill as an initiative to protect children, it does little to accomplish this noble cause, and a great deal to inhibit freedom of speech. Permit me to outline the bill in more detail.
There are four key parts to the bill: Part 1 creates the Online Harms Act; Part 2 amends the Criminal Code; Part 3 amends the Canadian Human Rights Act, and Part 4 amends An Act respecting the mandatory reporting of Internet child pornography by persons who provide an Internet service. I will focus on the first three parts of the bill in the rest of the letter.
Part 1: The bureaucratic arm will consist of three entities: the Digital Safety Commission, Digital Safety Ombudsperson, and Digital Safety Office. These new offices are made up almost entirely of Cabinet appointees and are given powers to receive and investigate complaints concerning harmful content, collect data, and develop more regulations. The Chairperson of the Digital Safety Commission would be voted on by Parliament. The Digital Safety Commission may investigate complaints and hold hearings regarding violations of the Act. The commission may act with the power of the federal court and may authorize any person to investigate compliance and non-compliance.
Penalties for violating an order of the commission or hindering anyone they authorize depend on whether a regulated service or individual commits the violation. The maximum penalty for a violation is not more than 8% of the gross global revenue of the person that is believed to have committed the violation or $25 million, whichever is greater. Cabinet and the Digital Safety Commission can make further regulations concerning the Commission’s powers and financial enforcement (fines).
Setting up a bureaucratic arm will do little-to-nothing to protect children. The last thing our system can handle right now is a stack of new complaints. It can’t even handle the existing ones.
Part 2: Bill C-63 creates a new hate crime offence that will make any offence under the Criminal Code, or any Act of Parliament, an indictable offence and punishable to life in prison if the offence was motivated by hatred. A definition of ‘hatred’ is introduced in s. 319(7), which is defined to mean ‘the emotion that involves detestation or vilification and that is stronger than disdain or dislike.’ s. 319 (8) includes the clarification that the communication of a statement does not incite or promote hatred, for the purposes of this section, solely because it discredits, humiliates, hurts or offends.
Furthermore, the bill increases the punishment for an offence in s. 318 (1), advocating genocide, to imprisonment for life. The current punishment is up to 5 years. The bill also increases the punishments for offences in s. 319 (public incitement of hatred, wilful promotion of hatred, wilful promotion of antisemitism) from up to 2 years to not more than 5 years.
Alarmingly, a peace bond is created for ‘fear of hate propaganda offence or hate crime.’ This will allow a person to seek a court-ordered peace bond if they reasonably fear that someone will commit a hate propaganda offence or hate crime against them in the future. If you’ve watched the movie “Minority Report” you know how scary this is.
Part 3: The bill reinstates Section 13 of the Canadian Human Rights Act, which empowers officials at the Canadian Human Rights Commission and Canadian Human Rights Tribunal to make subjective determinations as to what forms of expression constitute hate speech, and they may also decide on remedies including fines. This will allow any individual or group in Canada to file complaints with the Canadian Human Rights Commission against users who post ‘hate speech’ online, with an accused facing fines of up to $50,000.
The legislation defines hate speech as content that is “likely to foment detestation or vilification of an individual or group of individuals on the basis of such a prohibited ground.” In other words, the content doesn’t necessarily have to directly express vilification; it only needs to be assessed as “likely to” vilify someone by a human rights tribunal. Section 13 is a punitive regime that lacks procedural safeguards and rights of the accused that exist in criminal law. Truth is no defence, and the standard of proof that will apply to Section 13 is “balance of probabilities,” not “beyond reasonable doubt,” as exists in a criminal case.
As you have rightly pointed out, Parts 2 and 3 of this bill are a direct attack on freedom of speech and will have a significant chilling effect as people fear the possibility of house arrest or life in prison. Margaret Atwood has gone so far as to say that C-63 invites the possibility of revenge accusations and the risk of “thoughtcrime.”
Furthermore, its alarming that the bill enables individuals to anonymously file complaints with the Canadian Human Rights Commission against those they deem to be posting hate speech. If found guilty, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal can impose fines of up to $70,000 and issue takedown orders for the content in question. Additionally, the tribunal is granted the authority to shield the identities of complainants and prohibit defendants from disclosing this information if uncovered. In essence, accusers of hate speech will have their identities safeguarded, while those accused face significant financial penalties.
Common-sense Conservatives believe that we should criminalize and enforce laws against sexually victimizing a child or revictimizing a survivor online, bullying a child online, inducing a child to harm themselves or inciting violence. Criminal bans on intimate content communicated without consent, including deepfakes, must be enforced and expanded. Conservatives believe that these serious acts should be criminalized, investigated by police, tried in court, and punished with jail, not pushed off to a new bureaucratic entity that does nothing to prevent crimes and provides no justice to victims. We will bring forward changes to the Criminal Code that will actually protect children without infringing on free speech.
Thank you again for writing to me, and please accept my best wishes.
Warmest regards,
Rachael Thomas Member of Parliament for Lethbridge”
Six Inuit and three Korean artists have been selected to share their drawings as part of a Canadian pavilion during the 15th annual Gwangju Biennale in Korea. It’s the first Canada-Korea collaboration of its kind and is a feature of the 2024-2025 Year of Cultural Exchanges between the two nations.
It’s the second time Inuit artists from West Baffin Cooperative have shared their artwork at the biennale, and builds on the growing relationship between Kinngait Studios and its counterparts in Gwangju, Korea.
Kinngait Studios
Earlier this year, West Baffin Cooperative hosted two Korean cultural delegations in Toronto, Ottawa, Iqaluit, and Kinngait. During the visits they learned more about each other’s cultural practices and found a genuine fascination about the places in which each other respectively live.
Those preliminary cross-cultural exchanges served to inform this year’s pavilion, which ultimately led to the exhibition’s main theme that explores definitions of home.
In some cases, interactions between the artists were observational, about landscape, climate, or traditional attire. Other conversations were more nuanced, about linguistics and speculations around ancient Asia-Arctic migration. There were also intimate moments between the two groups, including demonstrations of identity through cuisine; exchanges of maktaaq and kimchi, palauga, and soju.
Maktaaq- a traditional food of Inuit and other circumpolar peoples, consisting of whale skin and blubber.
There were also political discussions about the still complex and often strained relationship between the government of Canada and Inuit people and those paralleled histories in Korea.
The exhibit features a set of six framed drawings taken from the 2023 pavilion, as a nod to the previous exhibition and a collaborative lithography commissioned for this project.
The six Kinngait artists include: Saimaiyu Akesuk, Shuvinai Ashoona, Qavavau Manumie, Pitseolak Qimirpik, Ooloosie Saila and Ningiukulu Teevee. The three participating Korean artists are Sae-woong Ju, Joheum Lee and Seol-a Kim. For the Silo, Paul Clarke. Featured image- 핏설악 퀴미르픽, 무제(고향과 또 다른 장소들), 2024, 종이에 잉크 Pitseolak Qimirpik, Untitled (Home and Other Places) 2024, ink on paper.
To: Canadian trade watchers From: Ari Van Assche Date: August, 2024 Re: Canada’s Electric Vehicle De-Risking Trilemma
With the recent wrap-up of Ottawa’s month-long public consultation on levying tariffs on electrical vehicles (EVs) made in China, let’s paraphrase a story Nobel Prize-winner Paul Krugman once used to explain the often under-appreciated benefits of free trade:
Consider a Canadian entrepreneur who starts a new business that uses secret technology to transform Canadian lumber and canola into affordable EVs. She is lauded as a champion of industry for her innovative spirit and commitment to Net Zero. But a suspicious reporter discovers that what she is really doing is exporting Canadian-made lumber and canola and using the proceeds to purchase Chinese-made EVs. Sentiment turns sharply against her. On social media, she is widely denounced as a fraud who is destroying Canadian jobs and threatening national security. Parliament passes a unanimous resolution condemning her.
Going the other direction: China is Canada’s third largest destination for agricultural products.
This story underscores a critical dilemma that should have been central in the public consultations.
Those opposing tariffs argue that trade is a potent yet undervalued tool in our fight against climate change: It provides Canada access to low-emissions technologies at increasingly affordable prices, which is essential for transitioning society away from carbon-intensive energy sources. In contrast, those in favour are concerned about supply security, fearing excessive reliance on our biggest geopolitical rival for low-emissions technologies. They warn against swapping the West’s age-old energy insecurity in oil for insecurity in the supply of critical minerals and EV batteries.
The $70,000 cad Polestar 2 EV produced by Volvo. In 2010, Geely Holding Group a Chinese automotive group bought Volvo.
Copilot AI
“As of now, the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) market is making strides globally, but in Canada, the landscape is still evolving: Tesla Model Y and Polestar 2: While not exclusively Chinese, the Tesla Model Y (which is produced in China) and the Polestar 2 (a subsidiary of Volvo, which has Chinese ownership) are currently the most prominent Chinese-made EVs available in Canada. These models have gained attention due to their performance, range, and brand reputation1.”
I examined some of the national security issues that have surfaced in the discussion surrounding supply chains for low-emissions energy technologies like EV batteries in my recent C.D. Howe Institute report.
After examining the various de-risking policies governments have implemented, including their downsides and unintended consequences, I conclude Ottawa probably should develop de-risking policies.
But it needs to apply them judiciously, prudently and rarely. And it needs to justify them with credible, detailed evidence regarding concerns about supply security and whether domestic industry really would be able to compete if market conditions were fairer. This will be important in upholding Canada’s reputation as a leading proponent of the rules-based multilateral system.
China’s role in the supply chains of low-emissions energy technologies does raise real security concerns. China has established near monopolies in several critical minerals and other components of EV batteries, solar panels and wind turbines. No ready alternatives are produced in other countries. For example, 79 percent of global production capacity of polysilicon, which is key for solar cell production, is in China. The next biggest producers, Germany and the United States, have difficulty competing with China’s high-quality, ultra-cheap polysilicon.
China’s monopolies create chokepoints that could enable its government to manipulate production to pursue its own geopolitical ambitions.
Precedents exist: China blocked rare-earth exports to Japan in 2010 and banned exports of rare-earth processing technology in 2023.
Several countries have started adopting de-risking policies to reduce their reliance on these Chinese chokepoints, usually either onshoring or friendshoring. Canada’s recent Critical Minerals Strategy is typical. It was designed in part to reduce this country’s dependence on foreign-mined and processed critical raw materials by, among other things, allocating $1.5 billion to support Canadian critical minerals projects related to advanced manufacturing, processing and recycling.
But these de-risking policies come at a cost.
Ottawa needs to carefully navigate a “policy trilemma” as it strives to formulate a policy agenda that simultaneously targets three goals: Advancing security, promoting low-emissions energy adoption, and capturing the benefits of trade for consumers and businesses.
Proposed steep tariffs on Chinese EV imports provide a good example of the trilemma.
They may well safeguard security by protecting a domestic production base. But they could discourage the uptake of EVs, which are already experiencing a slowdown in sales. Moreover, such unilateral action against China could escalate geopolitical tensions, thereby generating new risks, including Chinese retaliation. The path to effective de-risking is clearly fraught with trade-offs and requires careful navigation.
There is scant evidence that China is on its way to becoming a near-monopoly in global EV production itself, but it may seek to benefit from its near-monopoly in key inputs. The ultimate question that the government should answer is, therefore, whether the security concerns regarding these chokepoints, and more generally China’s willingness to compete fairly under these conditions, justify the costs and risks of higher tariffs. The burden on Ottawa is to provide concrete evidence to that effect before imposing an inherently costly tariff on Canadians.
Ari Van Assche is a professor of international business at HEC Montréal and Fellow-in-Residence at the C.D. Howe Institute.
