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New Documentary Exposes the Truth Behind That 1967 'Bigfoot' Footage

There's a surprise in a new documentary about that Bigfoot film shot in 1967 by Roger Patterson, reports the Wall Street Journal.

Capturing Bigfoot "builds to a big reveal: freshly surfaced film that appears to show a woodsy dress rehearsal for one of the world's most enduring hoaxes."

In the new footage — from a Kodak reel dating to 1966 — Patterson's camera tracks a man in costume, his brother-in-law, moving in a similar fashion to the figure in the 1967 shoot, which featured a different location and a bigger man with a more distinctive stride, according to the documentary. The test-run footage "is the work of a director with a vision," says Capturing Bigfoot director Marq Evans. He says the reel was given to him by a colleague at Olympic College in Bremerton, Wash., where Evans runs a documentary film program. The colleague found the film in a safe that belonged to her late father, who worked in a Boeing film lab and could have developed film discreetly.

With the long-buried footage in hand, Evans set out to explore the ripple effects from the Bigfoot film. Patterson, who died in 1972, hailed from the same region of Washington as Evans; the documentarian discovered that the hardscrabble cowboy had also been a gifted craftsman and artist. Patterson illustrated a self-published book, "Do Abominable Snowmen of America Really Exist?", and set out to make a wildlife movie that would feature the ultimate trophy footage. He and his collaborators inadvertently helped spawn "this massive culture and industry" around the Bigfoot legend, Evans says...

Roger Paterson presented his footage to America in a traveling show that crisscrossed the nation and climaxed with the hyped Bigfoot sequence on screen. The money poured in, leading to resentment among cohorts who felt they'd been shortchanged, none more so than Bob Gimlin, Patterson's wingman in the field during the infamous shoot.. [Roger's son] Clint Patterson says his mother privately confirmed his suspicions that the family's claim to fame was bogus, but he kept quiet to protect their financial stream. About 10 years ago, when he first wanted to go public with the truth, his mother disowned him.

Bigfoot was also a recurring character on the 1970s TV show The Six Million Dollar Man.

Which kind of puts the whole thing in perspective...

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

New Study Raises Concerns About AI Chatbots Fueling Delusional Thinking

"Emerging evidence indicates that agential AI might validate or amplify delusional or grandiose content, particularly in users already vulnerable to psychosis," writes Dr Hamilton Morrin, a psychiatrist and researcher at King's College in London, in a paper published last week in the Lancet Psychiatry. Morrin and a colleague had already noticed patients "using large language model AI chatbots and having them validate their delusional beliefs," reports the Guardian, so he conducted a new scientific review of existing media reports on AI-induced psychosis — and concluded chatbots may encourage delusional thinking, especially in vulnerable people:

In many of the cases in the essay, chatbots responded to users with mystical language to suggest that users have heightened spiritual importance. The bots also implied that users were speaking with a cosmic being who was using the chatbot as a medium. This type of mystical, sycophantic response was especially common in OpenAI's GPT 4 model, which the company has now retired...

Many researchers also think it's unlikely that AI could induce delusions in people who weren't already vulnerable to them. For this reason, Morrin said "AI-assocciated delusions" is "perhaps a more agnostic term".... While in the past, people may have had to comb through YouTube videos or the contents of their local library to reinforce their delusions, chatbots can provide that reinforcement in a much faster, more concentrated dose. Their interactive nature can also "speed up the process", of exacerbating psychotic symptoms, said Dr Dominic Oliver, a researcher at the University of Oxford. "You have something talking back to you and engaging with you and trying to build a relationship with you," Oliver said...

Creating effective safeguards for delusional thinking could be tricky, Morrin said, because "when you work with people with beliefs of delusional intensity, if you directly challenge someone and tell them immediately that they're completely wrong, actually what's most likely is they'll withdraw from you and become more socially isolated". Instead, it's important to create a fine balance where you try to understand the source of the delusional belief without encouraging it — that could be more than a chatbot can master.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Should Banksy Remain Anonymous?

He's "the most famous anonymous man in the world," suggests Reuters. But investigating Banksy's artworks in a bombed Ukrainian village (and other clues in the U.K. and Manhattan) have led them to "a hand-written confession by the artist to a long-ago misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct — a document that revealed, beyond dispute, Banksy's true identity."

But Banksy's long-time lawyer "urged us not to publish this report, saying doing so would violate the artist's privacy, interfere with his art and put him in danger" and "would harm the public, too."

Working "anonymously or under a pseudonym serves vital societal interests," he wrote. "It protects freedom of expression by allowing creators to speak truth to power without fear of retaliation, censorship or persecution — particularly when addressing sensitive issues such as politics, religion or social justice."
Reuters took into account Banksy's privacy claims — and the fact that many of his fans wish for him to remain anonymous. Yet we concluded that the public has a deep interest in understanding the identity and career of a figure with his profound and enduring influence on culture, the art industry and international political discourse... As for the risk he might face of retaliation or censorship, Britain's legal and political establishments seem comfortable with Banksy's messages and how he delivers them...

His mastery of disguise began as a way of shaking the police, says former manager [Steve] Lazarides. In an interview, Lazarides said anonymity served a practical purpose in Bristol, where authorities enforced "draconian" policies against graffiti... Eventually, keeping the secret became a burden. By the end of their partnership, Lazarides estimates he spent half or more of his time managing and maintaining the artist's mystique. "I think it became a good gag, and then, if you want my honest, honest opinion, I think it then became a disease," he said.

Lazarides wrote a two-volume book about managing Banksy from the late 1990s to 2008, including a story about Banksy's arrest in 2000 for this defacing of a billboard. Reuters geolocated that building, then found police documents and a court file including the hand-written confession. This investigation spawned a 7,000-word article with everything from a comic strip Banksy drew when he was 11 to his connections with Robert Del Naja of the trip hop band Massive Attack — and a 2017 podcast interview where a music producer apparently revealed Banksy's real first name.
But the article also reveals how protective the art community is of Banksy's secret. Reuters investigated that Banksy auctioned in 2018 for $1.4 million — and then immediately started shredding itself with a device Banksy embedded in its frame:

That piece, renamed "Love is in the Bin," sold three years later for about $25 million. Art dealer [Robert] Casterline was at the auction and remembers when the shredder began to beep. He pulled out his phone to take pictures. "Unfortunately, there was one person standing in front of me," blocking the view, he said. It was an eccentric-looking man with a broad neck scarf and thick eyewear. Oddly, the man wasn't watching the painting get shredded. He was looking in the other direction, observing the crowd's reaction. Only later, reviewing what he shot, did Casterline notice that the man's glasses appeared to have a small camera built into the bridge. (Banksy later posted a video of the stunt, including shots of the astonished audience.)
Having seen a photo of the man suspected of being Banksy, Casterline confirmed to Reuters that he was "pretty sure" it was the same man.

But "I don't want to be the guy who exposes Banksy."

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Uber Co-founder Travis Kalanick's Newest Venture? 'Gainfully Employed Robots'

Uber co-founder Travis Kalanick launched a new venture that "will focus on creating 'gainfully employed robots' for the food, mining and transport industries," Bloomberg reports.

"I left Uber in 2017 heartbroken," writes Kalanick on the new company's web site. Kalanick resigned under pressure in 2017, and complains he was "torn away from an idea and a movement that I had poured my life into... I bled, but I did not perish. I got back up and fought my way back into the arena, back to my calling. Back to building. Digitizing the Physical World is my life's work... "

Kalanick is remaking his real estate company, City Storage Systems, which owns ghost-kitchen operator CloudKitchens, and renaming it Atoms, according to a manifesto posted on the new company's website. [Bloomberg notes that the company's food robotics division "makes a food assembly machine called Bowl Builder, according to its website."] In addition to its work on food, Los Angeles-based Atoms is expanding into robotics technology for mining and automotive transport. Kalanick said on the livestreamed tech talk show TBPN Friday that Atoms has effectively been in stealth for eight years and has "thousands" of employees....

Kalanick wrote on the Atoms website that the company will make "specialized robots with productive jobs that bring abundance to their owners and society at large." That will include "infrastructure for better food," he wrote, as well as "more productive mines to power Earth's industries" in addition to "wheelbase for robots" in transportation. "The industrial thing is probably our main jam," he said on TBPN. "Once you crack movement in the physical world, there are lots of people who want access to that..." Kalanick also said he was the biggest investor in Pronto, a self-driving trucking startup that currently focuses on closed sites like mines.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

De brileider van Texel, de bekendste watervogel van Nederland, is overleden

De zee-eend leeft normaal in Siberië en Alaska en trok met zijn aanwezigheid zo’n 18.000 bezoekers naar het Waddeneiland. Maar eind december werd de bekendste watervogel van Nederland in „zorgwekkende toestand” binnengebracht bij opvangcentrum Ecomare.

Op de campagnefinale GroenLinks-PvdA in Arnhem spreekt Jesse Klaver lang over Iran

Het is een klein groen-rood verlicht zaaltje in het Arnhemse Luxor Live waar GroenLinks-PvdA haar campagne afsluit.

Wel.nl

Minder lezen, Meer weten.

CIDI: niet uitgenodigd voor overleg Jetten met Joodse gemeenschap

DEN HAAG (ANP) - Het Centrum Informatie en Documentatie Israël (CIDI) heeft geen uitnodiging ontvangen om deel te nemen aan de gesprekken die minister-president Jetten maandag voert met vertegenwoordigers van de Joodse gemeenschap. Dat laat CIDI-directeur Naomi Mestrum weten. Het is niet duidelijk wie er wel met Jetten om tafel gaan.

Mestrum laat weten verrast te zijn dat het CIDI geen uitnodiging heeft gekregen en noemt het "een duidelijke beleidsverandering ten opzichte van eerdere kabinetten", waarbij het CIDI vaak werd uitgenodigd als het ging over de Joodse gemeenschap in Nederland. Ze noemt het opvallend dat haar organisatie "die structureel antisemitische incidenten verzamelt en in kaart brengt" niet is uitgenodigd voor een gesprek dat plaatsvindt na aanslagen bij een Joodse school en synagoge. Mestrum hoopt dat Jetten zich 'toch nog bedenkt'.

Het CIDI laat weten om opheldering gevraagd te hebben bij het ministerie van Algemene Zaken. Het ANP wacht op een reactie van Algemene Zaken.


Netanyahu reageert met video op Iraanse geruchten over zijn dood

JERUZALEM (ANP/RTR) - De Israëlische premier Benjamin Netanyahu heeft zondag een video van zichzelf geplaatst waarin te zien is hoe hij een kop koffie haalt en een praatje maakt met een medewerker. Dit deed hij nadat Iraanse staatsmedia geruchten hadden verspreid dat hij dood of gewond zou zijn.

In de video, die is opgenomen in een café aan de rand van Jeruzalem en op Netanyahu's Telegram-account is geplaatst, vraagt ​​een medewerker hem naar de geruchten. Netanyahu grijpt een kop koffie en reageert met een woordspeling op het woord 'dood', dat in Hebreeuwse straattaal ook kan worden gebruikt om uit te drukken dat je 'helemaal gek bent op' iemand of iets. "Ik ben gek op koffie. Weet je wat? Ik ben gek op mijn volk."

Eerder op zondag zwoer de Iraanse Revolutionaire Garde dat ze Netanyahu zal doden. Israël doodde eind februari Irans opperste leider Ali Khamenei.


Aanraking als vergeten medicijn

In de spreekkamer draait zorg steeds vaker om schermen, scans en protocollen, terwijl één van de krachtigste interventies gratis is: een hand op een arm, een rustige omhelzing, een zachte massage. Arts en massagetherapeut Michaela Maria Arnold spreekt daarom zelfs van “beroepsmatige aanraakgeneeskunde”: aanraking als therapeutisch middel dat net zo serieus genomen zou moeten worden als een medicijn of apparaat. Toch wordt in de medische opleiding nauwelijks gesproken over hoe je een patiënt fysiek benadert, behalve via apparaten zoals stethoscopen en echo’s.

Wat aanraking in het lichaam doet

Onderzoek laat zien dat liefdevolle aanraking de aanmaak van stresshormonen remt en het zogenaamde knuffelhormoon oxytocine stimuleert, wat een kalmerend effect heeft op hartslag, bloeddruk en angst. In de huid zitten speciale zenuwvezels – C‑tactiele afferenten – die juist reageren op langzaam, zacht strijken en die signalen doorgeven aan hersengebieden die met emotie en welbevinden te maken hebben. Dit verklaart waarom een omhelzing soms meer kan doen dan een goed gesprek: het lichaam wordt letterlijk in een andere stand gezet.

Van huidhonger naar zelfaanraking

De pandemie maakte pijnlijk duidelijk wat “ huidhonger” betekent: mensen die maandenlang nauwelijks iemand aanraakten, rapporteerden meer eenzaamheid, slapeloosheid en stress. Niet iedereen heeft echter een partner, gezin of sociaal netwerk dat dagelijks nabij is – en niet elke aanraking is wenselijk of veilig. Daarom benadrukken onderzoekers én artsen dat ook zelfaanraking werkt: rustig over je eigen hoofd strijken, een hand op je borst leggen, of je huid bewust insmeren kan dezelfde kalmerende zenuwvezels prikkelen. Aanraking is daarmee geen luxe, maar een basisbehoefte die we – in en buiten de zorg – veel bewuster zouden moeten voorschrijven.


Instituut Mijnbouwschade kreeg 300 schademeldingen na beving

ASSEN (ANP) - Na een dubbele aardbeving in de buurt van Assen heeft het Instituut Mijnbouwschade Groningen meer dan driehonderd meldingen van schade gekregen. Dat instituut is verantwoordelijk voor het afhandelen van schade door gaswinning uit het Groningenveld. De aardbeving bij Assen gebeurde in een ander gasveld. Die schade wordt afgehandeld door de Commissie Mijnbouwschade, die 132 meldingen heeft gekregen.

Het kan zijn dat mensen hun schade hebben gemeld bij het instituut terwijl ze eigenlijk bij de commissie hadden moeten zijn. "Het instituut is bekender dan wij. Groningen is landelijk veel in het nieuws geweest. Buiten het Groningenveld zijn niet veel bevingen geweest", zegt een woordvoerder van de commissie. Het is ook mogelijk dat mensen voor de zekerheid hun schade aan het instituut én aan de commissie hebben doorgegeven. Daarom is het op dit moment nog niet zeker hoeveel mensen precies schade hebben gemeld.

Volgens de woordvoerder lossen het instituut en de commissie de meldingen onderling op.


Rijnmond - Nieuws

Het laatste nieuws van vandaag over Rotterdam, Feyenoord, het verkeer en het weer in de regio Rijnmond

Bij deze familie schuiven onbekenden aan tijdens de iftar: ‘Denk altijd vanuit het positieve’

Het is topdrukte in de keuken van de familie Ergenc: nog maar een paar minuten voordat het gezin het vasten kan breken. Dat doen ze niet alleen, maar samen met een bijzondere verzameling tafelgasten. Buiten het gezin om kent namelijk bijna niemand elkaar.

Feyenoord heeft lek nog lang niet boven: 'Als je tegen Ajax zo speelt, kan het voor rust al beslist zijn'

Soepel ging het allerminst, maar Feyenoord won zondagmiddag wel van Excelsior. Dankzij twee doelpunten van Ayase Ueda werd een achterstand omgebogen en won Feyenoord met 2-1. Maar daarmee is het lek niet boven menen Dennis van Eersel en Dennis Kranenburg in de podcast Feyenoord: De Verlenging.

The Guardian

Latest news, sport, business, comment, analysis and reviews from the Guardian, the world's leading liberal voice

Vulnerable women in England still being arrested over suspected illegal abortions

Nottinghamshire and Met police made arrests in past year, despite MPs voting to decriminalise in England and Wales

Vulnerable women in England are still being arrested and facing police investigations over suspected illegal pregnancy terminations, despite parliament backing changes to the law to decriminalise abortion.

Responding to a freedom of information request, Nottinghamshire police and the Metropolitan police confirmed they had arrested women suspected of illegal terminations between June last year and this January.

Continue reading...

Ashley Cole lands first managerial role as head coach of Serie B side Cesena

  • Former left-back signs until June with option to stay on

  • Has been coach at Chelsea, Everton and Derby

Ashley Cole has been appointed as the head coach of the Serie B side Cesena. It is a first management role for the former Arsenal, Chelsea and England full-back, who has been developing as a coach since retiring from playing in 2019.

Cole’s positions have included working with Frank Lampard at Derby, Chelsea and Everton, with Wayne Rooney at Birmingham, and with England and the Football Association.

Continue reading...

European football: Raphinha fires a hat-trick as Barcelona thrash Sevilla

  • Barça restore four-point lead at top of La Liga

  • Club’s presidential elections to follow match

Raphinha bagged a hat-trick as Barcelona thrashed Sevilla 5-2 to restore their four-point lead at the top of La Liga. After Real Madrid cut the gap by beating Elche on Saturday, the Spanish champions responded by romping to a comfortable victory.

Dani Olmo and João Cancelo also struck for Hansi Flick’s side, who host Newcastle in the Champions League on Wednesday. Fans streamed to the stadium to vote in the club’s presidential elections, with either Joan Laporta or Victor Font to be announced the new chief later on Sunday night.

This story will be updated

Continue reading...

(not so) Royal Iris III

Greg Adams Photography posted a photo:

(not so) Royal Iris III

I found the contrast of this abandoned ferry on the banks of the Thames with the London skyline behind it to be quite remarkable.

"The historic MV Royal Iris ferry (built 1950) is currently abandoned, derelict, and partially submerged on a mudbank in the River Thames at Woolwich, London, near the Thames Barrier. It has been in a state of disrepair since 2002, often flooding at high tide and recently suffering damage from fire.

From: World of Cruising
"MV Royal Iris once played a firm part in British history – from Elvis Costello and The Beatles, to Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip" www.worldofcruising.co.uk/editors-corner/thames-royal-iri...

(not so) Royal Iris II

Greg Adams Photography posted a photo:

(not so) Royal Iris II

I found the contrast of this abandoned ferry on the banks of the Thames with the London skyline behind it to be quite remarkable.

"The historic MV Royal Iris ferry (built 1950) is currently abandoned, derelict, and partially submerged on a mudbank in the River Thames at Woolwich, London, near the Thames Barrier. It has been in a state of disrepair since 2002, often flooding at high tide and recently suffering damage from fire.

From: World of Cruising
"MV Royal Iris once played a firm part in British history – from Elvis Costello and The Beatles, to Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip" www.worldofcruising.co.uk/editors-corner/thames-royal-iri...

(not so) Royal Iris I

Greg Adams Photography posted a photo:

(not so) Royal Iris I

I found the contrast of this abandoned ferry on the banks of the Thames with the London skyline behind it to be quite remarkable.

"The historic MV Royal Iris ferry (built 1950) is currently abandoned, derelict, and partially submerged on a mudbank in the River Thames at Woolwich, London, near the Thames Barrier. It has been in a state of disrepair since 2002, often flooding at high tide and recently suffering damage from fire.

From: World of Cruising
"MV Royal Iris once played a firm part in British history – from Elvis Costello and The Beatles, to Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip" www.worldofcruising.co.uk/editors-corner/thames-royal-iri...

Shirakawa. Kyoto. 白川

arbuloj has added a photo to the pool:

Shirakawa. Kyoto. 白川

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"This Is Not The Computer For You"

A short essay on the MacBook Neo as bicycle for the mind, via DaringFireball. cf.: "50 Years of Thinking Different", Tim Cook on Apple's 50th Anniversary