All posts tagged: recommends

New Scientist recommends Jamie Bartlett’s insightful How to Talk to AI

New Scientist recommends Jamie Bartlett’s insightful How to Talk to AI

Published by skeptic

I don’t use AI chatbots, so you might wonder what use I could make of Jamie Bartlett’s book, How to Talk to AI. Well, this plain-speaking guide makes the compelling case that, despite their popularity, we don’t know how to speak to chatbots properly. Few of us have had adequate training on getting the most out of AI – or on how to protect ourselves from it. That’s where it can all go very wrong, sending us down misinformation rabbit holes or fostering emotional dependence. Mastering the art of prompting a chatbot is about more than AI, says Bartlett. It’s about self-awareness: how much do you know about how it works? How might your questions (and the biases they reveal) affect the output you receive? I’m still wary, but after reading the book I feel much better equipped should temptation strike me. What it makes clear is that scepticism is your friend in this AI-powered world, whether you talk to chatbots daily or avoid them at all costs. Bethan Ackerley,Subeditor, London Topics: Source link

New Scientist recommends sampling the Museum of Edible Earth in London

New Scientist recommends sampling the Museum of Edible Earth in London

Published by skeptic

Trying a sample at the Museum of Edible Earth David Parry/PA Media Assignments Eating earth (geophagy) is classified as a mental health condition by the American Psychiatric Association – unless it’s part of cultural practice. We can explore this paradoxical relationship further as the Museum of Edible Earth comes to London’s Somerset House (until 26 April). Visiting the exhibition, I found 600 or so samples of soil routinely ingested worldwide, collected by the museum’s founder masharu. There’s red ochre from South Africa (a source of iron), and black nakumatt clay used by pregnant women in India to ease nausea. Only two are officially available for tasting, as they are accredited UK food supplements. Luvos Healing Earth, for digestive issues, is dished up like chocolate sprinkles, yet tastes more like the grit in unwashed leeks. I preferred Mexican diatomaceous earth, milled into silky, slightly sour flour. But more than its taste, I enjoyed imagining the aquatic organisms that fossilised into this earth millions of years ago. Thomas Lewton,Features editor, London Topics: Source link

New Scientist recommends the engaging Native Nations by Kathleen DuVal

New Scientist recommends the engaging Native Nations by Kathleen DuVal

Published by skeptic

The history of North America’s Indigenous peoples is fraught with stereotypes – and often seen through a European lens. In Native Nations, historian Kathleen DuVal, at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, sets the record straight, as she weaves together centuries of development to show how Indigenous groups have interacted with a shifting world. From the Medieval Warm Period to the last glacial period, she shows how climate change shaped their agricultural and water management techniques. We also discover engineering marvels like the great mounds of Cahokia in modern Illinois and the Huhugam’s canal network in Arizona. From astronomical calendars to smallpox’s spread after colonisation, DuVal’s book centres Indigenous peoples themselves, tearing down misconceptions. If you are, like me, a fan of historical non-fiction, or keen on fresh views of ecology, botany, archaeology (and more), Native Nations will be an engaging read. Kelsey HayesChief Subeditor, London   Topics: Source link

The nightly habits a dermatologist recommends for menopausal skin – and the one ‘myth’ that is actually true

The nightly habits a dermatologist recommends for menopausal skin – and the one ‘myth’ that is actually true

Published by Daniella Wilson

When it comes to skincare, I’ve noticed my friends generally fall into one of two camps: those who follow their night-time routine religiously, and those who collapse into bed without so much as a face wipe – makeup and all. Which group do you belong to? I hope you’re in the first, because if you’re in the second, I’m afraid I have a bit of a wake-up call: you’re not just neglecting your skin, you’re fast-tracking the ageing process quite unnecessarily. Following a solid evening routine is more than just a bit of self-care, it is also the most effective way to keep your complexion healthy, glowing and hydrated.  Did you know that your skin actually “works” overtime while you sleep, making it far more receptive to products? During the night, your skin enters a crucial regeneration phase, meaning a well-thought-out routine is your best ally for waking up fresh-faced, no matter what your age. To cut through the noise, I caught up with dermatologist Dr Natalia Jiménez, who walked me through the essentials of …

Looking for an energizing start to your day? A Pilates instructor recommends these five mat-based exercises

Looking for an energizing start to your day? A Pilates instructor recommends these five mat-based exercises

Published by Jenni Sidey

While Pilates has evolved from the method created by Joseph Pilates in the 1920s, some still swear by the original 34-move sequence. But, as you can imagine, remaining faithful to that approach is time-consuming, so what do you do if you’re in a hurry? Sophie Hatton, a classical Pilates instructor and founder of Reformer Retreats and Pilates Works Studio, recommends five exercises that offer a snapshot of a classical mat routine. “Classical Pilates matwork traditionally follows the same sequence each time, but if you’re short on time, focusing on these five exercises will give you an effective, energizing start to your day,” she says. Article continues below You may like Hatton explains that these exercises give you a taster of classical Pilates and what it tries to achieve: “Warming the body, building strength and encouraging control and connected movement,” she says. “If you’re practicing at home, I recommend using a 15mm Pilates mat—not a thinner yoga mat—to properly support and protect your spine, especially during rolling exercises.” 1. The hundred (Image credit: Sophie Hatton) Reps: …

UK government recommends maximum two hours of screen time for younger children: what the evidence says

UK government recommends maximum two hours of screen time for younger children: what the evidence says

Published by skeptic

New UK government guidance recommends that screen time for children under two should be avoided, except for shared activities such as video calls. For children aged two to five, a maximum of an hour a day is suggested. The guidance also outlines that watching screens together is better than children viewing alone. This echoes guidance from the World Health Organization recommending no screen time for infants under two, and no more than one hour per day for older children aged four and under. The early years, especially from birth to age six, are a critical period for developing social and communication skills. This is when children are learning how to connect with others, communicate their needs and understand the signals people give them. Given the increasing presence of touchscreen technologies in young children’s environments, understanding how these tools influence early developmental trajectories is essential. Touchscreen technology offers new opportunities for learning and play. But there are also questions about its impact on children’s social development, communication and school readiness. Researchers and health organisations have been …

UK government recommends maximum two hours of screen time for younger children: what the evidence says

UK government recommends maximum one hour of screen time for younger children: what the evidence says

Published by skeptic

New UK government guidance recommends that screen time for children under two should be avoided, except for shared activities such as video calls. For children aged two to five, a maximum of an hour a day is suggested. The guidance also outlines that watching screens together is better than children viewing alone. This echoes guidance from the World Health Organization recommending no screen time for infants under two, and no more than one hour per day for older children aged four and under. The early years, especially from birth to age six, are a critical period for developing social and communication skills. This is when children are learning how to connect with others, communicate their needs and understand the signals people give them. Given the increasing presence of touchscreen technologies in young children’s environments, understanding how these tools influence early developmental trajectories is essential. Touchscreen technology offers new opportunities for learning and play. But there are also questions about its impact on children’s social development, communication and school readiness. Researchers and health organisations have been …

New Scientist recommends documentary Molly vs The Machines

New Scientist recommends documentary Molly vs The Machines

Published by skeptic

A still from Molly vs The Machines Channel 4 In 2017, Molly Russell was found dead in her bedroom in Harrow, London. The devastating film Molly vs The Machines follows the journey of her father (pictured) to find out what happened, and the inquest ruling that social media contributed to Molly taking her own life as it bombarded her with content related to self-harm. The film traces her life alongside the rise of social media. Whistle-blowers reveal these companies knew about the risks, yet were unwilling to put in safeguards. We’ve normalised Big Tech’s access to our inner emotions, even at home. This critique is most potent when hearing Molly’s friends look back, asking: how do we reclaim our bedrooms as private places? Thomas LewtonFeatures Editor, London Need a listening ear? UK Samaritans: 116123 (samaritans.org); US Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988 (988lifeline.org). Visit bit.ly/SuicideHelplines for services in other countries Topics: Source link

Want to start walking regularly? A personal trainer recommends doing these three moves before lacing up your sneakers

Want to start walking regularly? A personal trainer recommends doing these three moves before lacing up your sneakers

Published by Jenni Sidey

Walking has a ton of health and fitness benefits: it’s an accessible form of exercise for most people, it doesn’t require any equipment beyond well-fitting shoes, it can improve your endurance and muscle strength, and may even lighten your mood. When my personal training clients ask what they should do outside of our sessions, walking is usually the first thing I recommend. But before hitting the outdoors, a proper warm-up is essential—especially if you’ve just started regular exercise. The following three exercises will prime your walking muscles, increase blood flow, activate your stability and mobility, and mobilize tight joints. Doing them before your walk can reduce your chances of discomfort or injury. Article continues below You may like How to do the walking warm-up This routine is only meant to warm up your lower body so you just need one set of each exercise. Perform 10 to 15 repetitions of the fire hydrant and donkey kicks, and three to five repetitions in each direction of the hip rotations (also known as controlled articular rotations, or …

New Scientist recommends Cirque du Soleil’s insect-themed OVO show

New Scientist recommends Cirque du Soleil’s insect-themed OVO show

Published by skeptic

Cirque du Soleil’s Ovo show Joseph Okpako/Getty Images I have always thought insects deserve more appreciation, so I was excited to catch a circus show dedicated to the tiny critters at London’s Royal Albert Hall, as it passed through en route to European venues. OVO, from Cirque du Soleil, is named after the Portuguese word for egg. It is a simple tale about a quirky fly that brings an egg to a bustling ecosystem and tries to win a ladybug’s love, with the help of an insect clown. But what it lacks in plot it makes up for in amazing acrobatics. In one spectacle, a contortionist spider (pictured) balances her whole body on a pole held in her mouth. In another, ants juggle fruit with only their feet. Then, in a nail-biting finale to the first half, acrobats fling each other with extraordinary precision at great height. Another stand-out moment sees crickets trampolining up and off a wall. This is a show to entertain the whole family – and, hopefully, improve our appreciation of the …