Nathan Fielder in The Rehearsal

Nathan has a problem with lying. He lies a lot.

At this point in the season of The Rehearsal, Angelas line feels less like an accusation and more like an understatement. And thats before we spent much of the episode watching him convincing the young actor playing his make-believe-now-a-kid-again son Adam to pretend hes attending swimming lessons when, in reality, hes learning about Judaism behind Angelas back. (In case youd forgotten, Angela has very, very strong feelings about her faith, as were reminded almost every five seconds in this episode; honestly, if you made a drinking game around taking a shot every time she says Jesus you may not make it through the entirety of Apocalypto.)

Read more

But back to Nathans lying. We could likely say its gotten worse over the course of the season but then episode one ended with him rehearsing a confession of having forced someone to unwittingly cheat only to watch Fielder refuse to disclose that altogether and to offer a pat compliment instead. The Rehearsal is built, in concept and in execution, on a system of lies. Its not just the authentic improv-like impersonations the rehearsals call for but also the many steps that lead to such performances (let us not forget his method of acting calls for some slight stalking).

The murky ethics of the entire enterprise is not for me to assessthough, perhaps you can guess where I standbut thats mostly because Im less interested in such black-and-white discourse and more fascinated by the way the show so clearly wants us to have those conversations. For someone so fixated on how he comes across and carefully attuned to how peoples behaviors can be fine-tuned with enough practice if not with a simple awareness of how theyre going about their livesnot to mention someone who is literally scripting and directing these episodesall of these moments of obliviousness cannot help but come across as building towarda semblance of self-actualization, right?

Story continues

We dont always get to choose what happens in life, Fielder notes toward the end of the episode. We do get to decide if we rehearse for it.

The whiff of self-help rhetoric should give us all pause. Not because the idea of preparing for key events in our life is not a feasible approach toward self-improvement. But because rehearsing, for Fielder, feels like more of a crutch than anything else. Also, that royal we being used is doing a lot of heavy lifting. Very slowly, as weve learned, The Rehearsal has become less a show about helping a collective we (or a singular they) cope with what may happen in life but an excuse to allow Fielder to grapple with his own life decisions (and hangups and insecurities and anxieties). Id say the show is a season-long play on the lengths straight men will go to avoid therapy, but that almost feels like a too flippant riff on that popular meme.

But then, how else to explain his decision to use Angelas rehearsal as a place where he can avoid falling into the same old habits that plagued his previous relationships? I will say, him recognizing such patterns (while talking to his parents, no less!) and in the context of a show where he controls pretty much every single aspect of his environment (love that drone shot where you see the fake snow offering a visual sense of his insularity) was a moment that made me wonder if I shouldnt think of Fielder as some Gotham villain-in-the-making (hey, he now owns his own HBO-funded bar!) and instead as a melancholy loner. But then, once that empathetic feeling flares up, Im left thinking that he is still in control here. He has an entire cast at his disposal. A crew who have and will build him whatever he desires. The backing of HBO, even.

Nathan Fielder in The Rehearsal

I am curious, of course, to see how Fielders now self-involved project will come to an end. Is there yet another meta twist coming? Will we get to witness him learning something about himself many of his viewers (and critics and fans and reviewers and recappers) have maybe theorized already? Will this ouroboros of a docuseries eat itself as Fielder play-acts parenthood for no other reason than maybe he feels he should?

Are these too many questions? Should I be offering more trenchant critiques of a show that seems expressly designed to constantly enrage and engage its viewers? Perhaps. But for now Id rather sit with my thoughts and keep wondering how Fielder is going to wrap this whole thing up.

Wanting to pivot away from a discussion about Judaism with a benign question like Whats your favorite movie? only to have Angela answer Mel Gibsons Apocalypto(!) broke my brain. Is this a you cant make this up moment? Because it was almost too perfect.

Such moments, whether scripted or not do get at one of the aspects of The Rehearsal I havent had a chance to dig into too much: This is a very funny show. Sure, its humor is sometimes very cringey and most definitely feeds off a sense of discomfort in its viewers, but I do find myself outright cackling several times per episode. (The line I watch Key & Peele! had me howling, as did the makeshift Dr. Fart sketch which made me think Adam could grow up to become a great TGS staff writer.) And, however you feel about Nathan, he does make for a great straight man.

Okay, I know that had Fielder not decided to upend Angelas rehearsal wed likely have focused on it more, but its kind of bonkers how she barely adhered to the mock-reality of her parenting rehearsal, right? Right? Its in those moments when I am left wondering what we might have learned about Angela and her approach to the rehearsal if the show allowed for more conventional talking heads/confessional moments. Instead, because she was constantly forced to play a role and only do so when Nathan was around, it was (as he points out in voice over) hard to tell when she was role playing and when she was actually (and truly) committed to the bit.

Also, can we give it up for Anna LaMadrid, who really nailed her performance as Fake Angela? I need these various actors to find a way to turn their perfect impersonations into better gigs.

Read more:
Mom and Dad argue on The Rehearsal - Yahoo Entertainment

FREDERICK, Md. (PRWEB) August 11, 2022

Steps to Success is the annual signature event of the Frederick Womens Business Network! From its earliest beginnings, the vision and purpose of this event is to connect professional women and provide opportunities for personal and professional growth.

As an integral part of Steps to Success, participants will have the opportunity to attend breakout sessions that are designed to INFORM each woman with tangible tools to accelerate the growth they desire. Additionally, they will be able to ENCOURAGE peers by sharing insight around the experience they bring to the groups focus and receive SUPPORT needed to move forward as they take their next STEPS TO SUCCESS!

The WBN seeks out the best facilitators who lead group discussions in a wide variety of topics that include business growth initiatives, womens health, and personal development. In these sessions, like-minded women support everyones desire for self-improvement.

For our 15th annual Steps to Success event, our Keynote Speaker is Monica Pearce, a trailblazer and the owner of Tenth Ward Distilling Company.

Breakout session speakers include:

Michelle Nusum-Smith - owner and principal consultant at The Word Woman, LLCPeggy Maganelli - agent at RE/MAX ResultsCasey Clark, MBA, M.A. owner of C Clark ConsultingMichell Bell, Esq. - founder of MC Bell Law Firm, PLLCRachel Collins - owner of Living Well Financial CoachingChristina Brockett, MS, CNS, LDN - owner of Encompass integrative WellnessJudy Buchanan, MBA - owner of Judy Buchanan EnergyLaTisha Boyd-Potts, MSW, AMHFA, YMHFA - owner of Grouplady Life Skills Consulting, LLC

About Womens Business Network of Frederick - The Womens Business Network of Frederick is a nonprofit organization dedicated to inform, encourage, and support women in their quest to grow their businesses. It was designed for women just like you. Those who want to improve their health and self-confidence and to feel empowered. Additionally, those who want to simply belong in a group of like-minded professionals who provide unconditional support. All while gaining tools and insight to help them grow in their profession.

The WBN exists because we want you to have the tools to succeed and to give opportunities for sisterhood. We are all working professionals and small business owners, volunteering our spare moments to share our success stories, to help you become more proactive, and to support your dreams.

For more information about Womens Business Network of Frederick and how you can support their mission of helping women in the Frederick County community, call visit https://wbnfrederick.org/. You can also connect with the Womens Business Network on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Share article on social media or email:

Read the original here:
Women's Business Network of Frederick is Holding the 15th Annual Steps to Success Event - PR Web

A self-taught artist has crafted a colorful menagerie of fanciful and realistic origami creatures. Some are palm-sized, some life-sized, and all represent the artists personal philosophy: If it makes you feel happy, go for it!

Romanian artist Patrick Alberto Vraja, 25, grew up in the city of Sighetu Marmaiei and recalls being entranced by paper art as a child.His first creations included cute dinosaurs, animals, and everyday objects. Today, he crafts animals, human figures, and mythical creatures with jaw-dropping attention to detail.

I recently started going for more realistic origami because I feel like real life is as beautiful, or even more, than fiction, Vraja told The Epoch Times. I feel like realism in art can be tougher to achieve, so I took it as a challenge for myself and my growth.

Growth lies in simple things: shaped feathers, different wings, a different pose. Not everything has to be flashy, at least thats what I think.

Vraja shares his creations on Instagram and TikTok, and says his take on a design by the artistKatsuta Kyohei titled The Blakiston Fish Owl is by far his best fold yet. Its alsohis largest work to date.

He said he wanted his creation closer to a real-life owl. His first challenge to complete the incredible owl origami was trying to actually fold all that paper, he said.Vraja completed the owlon Jan. 18, after close to 25 hours of work spread across several days.

Then I actually brought it upon myself to look at owl anatomy so I could achieve realism. It was a lot of back and forth with the folding I just went full freestyle mode,' he said.

While each of Vrajas creatures is crafted by scoring and folding a single sheet of paper up to 5 feet in length, those sheets can be comprised of two layers of thin, malleable 25 gsm paper, glued together with a cellulose-based glue to make the paper resilient and better-purposed for sculpting.

Vraja alternates between tissue and Wenzhou rice papers, claiming tissue is very accessible, and rice paper is higher quality but more expensive.

At the age of 7, in the absence of the internet, Vraja was introduced to origami by his mother, toward whom he is grateful to this day.

I think my very first origami was a jumping frog or a beaked airplane that does tricks while flying, he recalled. I didnt do a lot the first years; I just folded and folded, until it became a habit.

Everything changed with the internet. Vraja found a website offering simple to intermediate origami tutorials, and made replica designs using cheap A4 printer paper.

For what I was working on, it was enough, he reflected. We all start somewhere, and Im proud of those times.

After folding everything the website had to offer, Vraja moved over to YouTube for more inspiring content. He remains in contact with some of these same content creators today.

Entering school, Vrajas designs graduated from simple to more complex. He discovered a love for dragons, folding over 100 dragons through his high school years during lunch breaks, or whenever he was anxious or bored.

Vraja slowly fine-tuned his technique and believes theres still room for improvement on the smallest details. Theres no such thing as perfect, but overall Im very happy, he said.

The artist, who moved from his hometown to Cluj Napoca to finish his studies in public administration, and works in retail,doesnt know exactly how many paper artworks he has folded, but claims the number is in the three digits. Describing himself as a calm and patient person, he considers origami training for my mind.

He advises others: Be original, be yourself! Nothing bad will ever come from that. If you have something that you enjoy doing, no matter how big or small, do it. Dont focus on peoples negative opinions Im living proof that if you keep doing something you like, if you just give it any time of your day, youll reach a point where youll be content and happy.

So far its been 18 wonderful years. Some filled with constant work, some with breaks for different reasons, but I always come back to it, excitedly, no matter what! I consider origami my place where I can relax and find myself.

Share your stories with us at emg.inspired@epochtimes.com, and continue to get your daily dose of inspiration by signing up for the Inspired newsletter at TheEpochTimes.com/newsletter

Read more:
PHOTOS: Self-Taught Artist Makes Incredible Origami Creatures From Single Sheets of Paper - The Epoch Times

Tennessee Williams' classic play THE GLASS MENAGERIE transformed the stage at His Majesty's Theatre with some modern touches that enhance how this story is told. BLACK SWAN Theatre Company's creative talents (and talented creatives) come to the fore to deliver a memorable and thought-provoking performance.

THE GLASS MENAGERIE is semi-autobiographical, with details more factual than allegorical. Tennessee Williams gives the main character and narrator his real name- Tom- whilst the character's sister Amanda is nicknamed Blue Roses, a hark to Williams' sister Rose. Williams also spent time in a shoe factory, sharing an occupation with narrator Tom. As long time collaborator Elia Kazan said of Tennessee Williams, "Everything in his life is in his plays, and everything in his plays is in his life." The autobiographical elements seem to lend themselves to the feeling of the play that brings the audience on an emotional rollercoaster, with the narrative having us wanting each character in turn to succeed and later to fail, until everyone is reconstructed in a charming ending where, despite nothing being resolved per se, there is a feeling that each character for the first time is content.

Without a curtain, Fiona Bruce's set design is immediately striking. Whilst appearing somewhat plain at first, the set comes to life with under Lucy Birkinshaw's lighting design. Michael Carmody contributes something not oft seen, with video design adding a further element to the play. The fifth character in the play- the absent father whose portrait sits above the fireplace- is personified by the videos, and weight added to his character through this unique avenue. Composer and pianist Tom O'Halloran is visible but not obvious at the back of the stage, and his music perfectly suits the play. As with the family dynamic portrayed in the show, O'Halloran's music has an air of familiarity, with variations and quick progressions that match the action on stage. Another off-stage presence deserving of praise is voice and accent coach Julia Moody. Each accent is excellent, with McElhinney's Southern accent losing its polish after years in St Louis, Joel Jackson's mid-western accent steeped heavily in the working class whilst Acacia Daken's is one of isolation, and Jake Fryer-Hornsby's twang shows a more settled upbringing and perhaps loftier ambitions, with a heavy hint of confidence absent from the others.

Mandy McElhinney plays Amanda Wigfield, the Southern matriarch of the family who persistently struggles with the disconnect between how she dreamed her life would be and how it has turned out. The fracture this causes between Amanda and her adult children is perfectly illustrated by McElhinney, with her supportive faade often faills and gives way to a more overbearing style. The love she has, though, never falters, with McElhinney managing to paint a deeper picture of internal struggles through her performance. The narrator and central character of Tom Wigfield is played by Joel Jackson. Tom starts as a somewhat idyllic son and brother under the control of an unreasonable mother, however as the play progresses- perhaps as the events become more recent and memories of them clearer- Tom becomes more troublesome and abrasive, spending more time retreating to his vices. The change from dreamer into daydreamer is brought across by Jackson's outstdanding performance. As Laura Wingfield is Acacia Daken, who brilliantly shows off the character's fragility. Laura is somewhat the focal point of the second act and you can't help but wanting her to succeed thanks to Daken's performance having been drawn deeply into the character through a slow burn introduction. As Jim O'Connor is Jake Fryer-Hornsby, who is focussed on self-improvement. Fryer-Hornsby begins as the perfect partner for Laura, however his appeal fluctuates as Fryer-Hornsby's portrayal gives away more of the character. The portrayal, as well as the dynamic with Acacia Daken's Laura, uses the tension with the audience perfectly; building it, reducing it, and breaking it with expert timing. The chemistry between Daken and Fryer-Hornsby is one of many highlights of the play.

THE GLASS MENAGERIE speaks for itself as an icon of literature, however BLACK SWAN Theater company enhances it with exquisite staging and superb acting. The performers drag the audience in so deeply that you may ask the characters at the beginning "How can you do that to each other?" but at the end you ask "How can you do that to me?" The complex tapestry woven of relationships and hopes is irresistible and each character's journey is perfectly represented. This modern retelling of a classic is less something to be seen and more something to be experienced, but either way it is not to be missed.

THE GLASS MENAGERIE is at His Majesty's Theatre until August 21, with several matinees and more accessible performances. Tickets and more information available from BLACK SWAN Theatre Company

Photo Credit: Daniel J Grant

Read this article:
Review: THE GLASS MENAGERIE at His Majesty's Theatre - Broadway World

The Kansas football team huddles up during the first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022. by Chance Parker/Journal-World photo

Fresh off of a family vacation, Kansas basketball coach Bill Self made a visit to KU football practice on Wednesday morning to chat with coach Lance Leipold and get a look at the team.

According to the Kansas soccer team's Twitter account, Self also stopped by Rock Chalk Park to talk with Mark Francis' club before its exhibition opener on Wednesday night.

Ever a supporter of KUs group of gridiron warriors, Self spoke with optimism about the future of the program and emphasized its importance to all of KUs athletic programs.

We havent seen the potential of this place until football gets going like it can, Self told Brian Hanni during Kansas Athletics live coverage of preseason camp. Of course, it cant get going unless people buy in. Lance has got all the players to buy in, the administration, the staff, but until the fans also buy in, its going to be a much more difficult process.

Its chicken or the egg, Self added. Do you wait until (they) win until you come or do you come to help them win? I think the latters definitely the way this program needs it in order to build it quicker.

A regular at KUs home games throughout his time in Lawrence, Self said he was impressed by what he had seen from Leipold during his first 16 months in charge of the rebuilding program.

Self called Leipolds organization, positivity and energy big positives and said the improvement the Jayhawks showed down the stretch during Leipolds season was a clear sign that the players were on board with what Leipold and his coaching staff are trying to accomplish.

Being able to get 100 guys to move around and be organized all the time, you know, I struggle with 12 or 13 so Im impressed, he said of Leipolds organizational skills.

Self also said he thought the 12 transfers and incoming recruiting class would aid the teams improvement, but he also noted that there were plenty of returning players who fans and coaches should be excited about, most notably sophomore running back Devin Neal and senior safety Kenny Logan Jr. Self said he thought those two, along with a few other Jayhawks, could start on most Big 12 teams.

Were gaining on it, he said. Were not going to be outworked and were not going to be outcoached.

Originally posted here:
Kansas basketball coach Bill Self visits KU football practice, believes Jayhawks are 'gaining on it' in quest to climb Big 12 ladder | Tale of the...

The ambiguity between Guillermo the fearsome slayer, who almost beat Nandor during the Familiar Fights at The Night Market, and the underdog in a wolf pack is fertile ground for comic undertones and character evolution. Nandor has had Guillermo on his mind since, at the very least, the Djinns last-moment small print addition to a big-dick contract. In his one of many wishes wasted on self-improvement, whenever Nandor put his new and improved penis to use, all he could think about was Guillermo.

Romantic tension is inherent between vampire and familiar, even the bride Marwa (Parisa Fakhri), picks up on it. She feels whatever Nandor likes, so this has the potential to grow like the list of impossible requests for the wedding. In this, the series jumps a shark, not literally but historically, as one of the oldest go-to jokes in the book. The Dodo Bird is the most famous of all creatures who went extinct during human consciousness. Entire ecosystems and a rare fruit were lost when the last dodo was snacked upon, apparently by the Wraiths, if we follow the mythology of What We Do in the Shadows to ridiculous conclusions. Considered the help by the vampires, Nadja wouldnt let the Wraiths eat the cake being drawn into the nuptial feast by six mighty black stallions. They dont have that kind of sweetbread.

Rich humans are like veal, conceptually repulsive but buttery on my tongue, Nadja says in what is becoming a running gag of subtle social commentary. Nutley, N.J., is also a very subliminally unsettling setting, which leads to one of the least subtle sequences of the series so far: Baron Afanas (Doug Jones) makeover montage. What We Do in the Shadows purists may find the sequence too staged, campy, and clichd, but it is a very effective takeoff on the art of comic editing, as well as being full of visual gags. It also restores the Afanas character for future chaos.

While wedding bells usually spell the dissolution of the old gang, vampire weddings tend to reassemble them. Derek (Chris Sandiford), who went from being a vampire hunter to a vampire, returns as an eternally needy friend indeed. His reading of you had my number this whole time? is heartbreakingly amusing, proving exactly why Guillermo hadnt thought to call. The creature which crawled out of the abdominal cavity of Colin Robinson (Mark Proksch) only makes one appearance in the episode, and that is as a sidekick to Doll Nadja as the two are reduced to being the flower children.

The ceremony itself is a traditional affair, the human neighbors have been hypnotized not to freak out by all the vampires there, and the vampires maintain a repressed respectability. This breaks when Baron Afanas begins the oration, and the true nature of the vampire spills out. Its all about sex, and the promise of more sex, and will ultimately lead to a musical high point: a bawdily inquisitive duet between Nadja and Laszlo on the duration of marital consummation.

There are many reasons to object to the union of Nandor and Marwa, beyond parking validation. The central chemistry of the leads is still reacting to all the Wraith energy The Guide is bringing to the series, and Baby Colin hasnt yet found his niche. But the most damning, as far as a viewers choice contention, comes from the Sire, also known as Gojlrm: Ruin is inevitable, all else is prelude. He speaks for TV executives across all platforms, who only speak in numbers.

Read the original post:
What We Do in the Shadows Season 4 Celebrates Unholy Matrimony - Den of Geek

You and your fianc just got in the car after (yet another) disastrous evening with friends. Like always, he had one too many to drink and made a fool of himself (and, by proxy, you). From his sexual innuendos about your BFFs low-cut dress to telling everyone your mothers a piece of work, one things clear: You deserve better. So, you finally say it: I cant do this anymore. At first, your fiancs apologetic. He admits that he crossed the line and begs for a second chance. I promise, next time will be differentjust let me prove it to you, he snivels. So, you decide to give him a second (or fifth) chance. But then, three weeks later, youre in the same position: Wanting out of the relationship and not knowing how to leave. This, friends, is an example of Hoovering.

Indeed, Hoovering is an emotional form of manipulation that sucks someone back into a relationship. Whats more, its a behavior thats specific to narcissistic personalities (as if dealing with a narcissist wasnt hard enough). So, we called on the experts to help break down Hooveringfrom signs to look out for and exactly how it differs from gaslightingplus advice on where to go from there.

Hoovering is a behavioral term used to describe a narcissist (or someone with narcissistic tendencies) who uses emotional manipulation to lure their partner back into a toxic relationship. The term comes from the concept of a Hoover vacuum, [where a narcissist] will suck up the happiness from their previous partner in order to get them to return to them, Dr. Elizabeth Fedrick, a licensed psychologist specializing in relationships and trauma, tells us. Usually, this behavior comes on the heels of a separation. One partner attempts to remove themselves from the relationship, while the other does everything in their power to regain control.

The short answer? Control. Hoovering behaviors are meant to pull their previous partner back in so they can go back to feeling a sense of control and boosted ego, says Dr. Fedrick. In theory, Hoovering is a last-ditch effort for someonewith a distorted worldview, we might addto regain control. In reality, its a masked manipulation tactic that, if successful, leaves the other person feeling trapped, confused and unable to see the situation clearly.

While anyone can technically engage in Hoovering behaviors, Dr. Fedrick says its generally more specific to narcissistic relationships. What is important to note here, is that there are a very large number of individuals who display narcissistic tendencies, despite not fully falling into the diagnostic category of a narcissistic personality disorder (NPD). So while its accurate to say that anyone can engage in Hoovering, its generally individuals with multiple narcissistic tendencies who will be most likely to demonstrate this type of dysfunctional behavior.

Case Kenny, relationship expert and host of the New Mindset Who Dis podcast, tells us: Someone who knows their partner is trying to leave (and knows how to manipulate them) will pull anything out of their toolbox that can tug at their partners heartstrings. On one hand, this can involve elaborate gift giving or love bombing, where the person will make too-big-to-be-true promises to distract from the reality of the relationship. Yet, on the other, Hoovering can manifest in psychological forms of blackmail that sow doubt and insecurity. If you're married or you've been dating for a long time, the longevity of your relationship is something that's going to be thrown around a lot. Plus, if there are kids involved, theres another level of guilt associated with breaking up the family that someone can throw on you, Kenny adds.

Per Dr. Fedrick, here are ten specific signs to look out for when it comes to Hoovering.

1. Sending lovey-dovey texts after a breakup

Receiving text messages that say things like, I am thinking about you or I miss you.

2. Coming up with random reasons to see you

Reaching out for random reasons, such as needing help with something or remembering that they left something at your house.

3. Threatening you with self-harm

Making threats of self-harming behaviors if they are unable to see you or talk to you.

4. Love-bombing you with over-the-top gestures

Over-complimenting or showering you with praise, sending elaborate gifts or other unnecessary surprises.

5. Giving long-overdue apologies

Apologizing for prior abusive behaviors and promising to be different and to make changes.

6. Making empty promises

Making promises that they have engaged in self-improvement attempts and are a different person.

7. Offering to keep things casual

Pretending as though nothing has happened and attempting to re-engage in a casual manner.

8. Trying to reach you through your friends or family

Having friends or family members reach out to you on their behalf. This is a great way to not only muddle the situation, but frame you as the bad guy to the people you care about most.

9. Reaching out on holidays or special occasions

Using special occasions (i.e., Christmas, New Years, birthdays, etc.) as a reason to text or call you.

10. Accidentally contacting you to strike up a conversation

Sending accidental calls or texts in order to get you to answer or return their attempt.

According to Dr. Fedrick, Awareness is key when it comes to preventing or stopping the cycles of a toxic relationship. Its kind of like AA: the first step to healing is recognizingand admittingthat theres a problem in therelationship. Kenny adds. I knowespecially as we get olderwe have a real aversion to starting over and being single. But if you look in the grand scheme of things, the thing youll regret is most is sticking it out in a relationshipthat doesn't serve you.It's OK to request, or even demand, for them to stop contacting you. And, most importantly, seek help from a professional mental health professional to learn more about coping and safely separating from this toxic relationship.

RELATED: What Does Gaslighting in Relationships Actually Look Like?

See more here:
Are You Being Hoovered? We Asked The Experts - PureWow

New Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), connectivity technology and solutions, 5G and cloud services are transforming traditional mechanical automobiles towards intelligent connected terminals, leading to the concept of Intelligent Connected Vehicle (ICV). Driven by a new round of scientific and technological revolution, ICVs have become the focus and development direction of the future transportation system.

The fundamental purpose of ICVs is to achieve intelligent information exchange and sharing between vehicles and X (cars, roads, people or clouds etc.) with multi-functions, which involve complex environmental awareness, intelligent decision-making, collaborative control and execution. ICVs can achieve a new generation of cars to replace people, providing more convenient modes and energy-efficient integrated solutions with a high level of safety, efficiency, comfort.

In order to achieve safe and sustainable mobility, the automobile industry is transforming towards a low-carbon, information-based, and intelligent era. In the past few years, ICV has become a globally renowned future development direction and focus of attention. All circles of automotive industry, academia and research institutes and governments have focused on the development of ICV, ranging from research and development (R&D) of new technologies to improvement of the top-level design.

Intelligent connected vehicle industry overview and market development

China has become the largest automotive market in the world with a vehicle population of 240 million at the end of 2018, which stimulates Chinese consumers' passion for intelligent and connected vehicles. As one of the first entrants to deploy and implement ICVs on a large scale, China's automotive industry is poised and determined to accelerate the intelligent and connected transition. The national strategic deployment and explosive automotive demand present continuous driving forces and improvement opportunities for ICVs development. With the increasing strength of advanced information and technology industries, it is expected that Chinese automotive industry grasps the opportunity of ICV to catch up with and outperform the foreign counterparts.

Drivers of the development of ICVs in China

Digital Economy

The primary characteristics of the digital economy is data-driven industrial transformation. During the period of 2015-2020, the Chinese government frequently promulgated relevant policies on digital economy. Catalyzed by multiple policy dividends, the digital economy is setting off a new round of infrastructure construction. As the focus of urban innovation and construction, ICV is considered as the core technology of digital economic development and an important strategy contributing to China's economic transformation and upgrading. The Chinese government is committed to strengthening the top-level design and providing new momentum to the ICV industry in the digital integration era.

Supportive regulatory and policy environment

With the accelerated development of China's automotive industry in the direction of intelligent networks, a supportive policy and regulatory environment is essential. Since the announcement of Made in China 2025 strategy in 2015, a series of relevant policies and documents on ICV industry has been successively issued with clear development mandates and tasks. Meanwhile, the requirements on the development of demonstration bases are established to conduct pilot demonstrations for the ICV. According to China Manufacturing 2025, ICV is listed as one of the ten key development areas and also promoted to the national strategic height as a standard of market behaviour, stimulating the healthy and sustainable development of automobile industry.

In order to promote the wide deployment of ICVs and their associated infrastructures, the development of relevant policies is the primary driving force for the development of ICV industry. The development of ICV has become a primary concern of the Chinese government. During recent years, the State Council, Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Ministry of Transport and other relevant departments have issued a series of policies and standards with a main foucs on the development of ICV industry.

Currently, China has proactively launched 20 domestic testing and demonstration zones in order to boost the development of ICVs . The designation of pilot and demonstration zones is expected to catalyze new applications, technologies, products, and new models of ICVs.

Administrative documents and initiatives in Shenzhen

Shenzhen is the first city in China to formulate the first-of-its-kind legislation in this emerging field. The "Regulations of Shenzhen Special Special Economic Zone Regulations on the administration of Intelligent Networked Vehicles" (hereinafter referred to as the Regulations) came into effect on August 1, 2022. It is the country's first mandate to clarify responsibilities for cars at a minimum of Level 3 autonomous driving. The Shenzhen Municipal People's Congress exercised its special zone's legislative power to promote the local intelligent connected vehicle development, providing a reference standard for autonomous driving-related policies in other cities across the country.

Based in Shenzhen, DeepRoute.ai (Chinese: ) is a self-driving technology firm committed to advancing urban logistics and popularizing robotaxis. On the basis of the new regulation, DeepRoute.ai conducted driverless road tests in Shenzhen with vehicles equipped with production-ready L4 solution. Maxwell Zhou, the CEO of the company said " Open road testing and demonstration applications with more complete cooperative vehicle infrastructure throughout the region will allow us to obtain a diverse set of drive test data. The validity and quality of these data will be higher. Moreover, allowing fully unmanned autonomous services demonstrates a rapid advance in its commercialization and a regulatory breakthrough in the domestic market."

This new regulation is considered as a major milestone in advancing autonomous driving technology and deemed the prelude to mass production and commercialization of autonomous driving vehicles. It is reported that autonomous driving start-ups are racing to commercially deploy their fully self-driving vehicles. With this regard, Zhou responded "our company will mainly focus on the commercialization of autonomous driving, promoting the mass production of autonomous vehicles, as well as charging the self-driving cabs. For mass production, we are committed to creating 'low-cost' self-driving cars that are ' affordable for everyone' by partnering with other car enterprises. It is expected that our mass-produced self-driving vehicles will enter the consumer market on a large scale by 2025."

Technology Advancement

The new era of mobile internet technology, big data, cloud computing, artificial intelligence have been fundamentally penatrated with the ICV industry. It is widely recognized that embedded connectivity has already uncovered new features and capabilities that are changing the driving experience. As an integral part of a transition of automotive industry, 5G technology, characterized by ultra-low latency, high-speed and IoT-driven design, plays a significant role in altering the way automotive OEMs design and manufacture, how the driveless vehicles operate, and how customers interact with them. Coupled with IoT hardware and superior computing power, 5G technology presents a myriad of possibilities for the automotive industry.

Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Shanghai, PATEO CONNECT+ Technology C (hereinafter referred to as PATEO) is one of the long-established Telematics enterprises in China. Concerning the advent of 5G technology, the founder of PATEO, Ken Ying contends that "The escalating upgrades of automotive intelligent networks and advanced technologies (e.g., 5G) brought about dramatic changes on supply relationships and business models. In response to this, PATEO will provide a wide range of cooperation scenarios in aspects of OEM, hardware, and software models." When it comes to intelligent cockpit, Ken believes that "5G technology will provide a comprehensive range of intelligent cockpit application scenarios. For example, on the basis of 5G V2X, we can carry out scenarios related to self-driving vehicle-road cooperation (e.g., cloud driving) as well as deploy some cloud services to enhance user experiences."

Amid the fast-growing penetration of ICVs coupled with the increasingly complex transportation environment, there has been a growing awareness on the violation of users' confidential information. The security issue can be considered as a significant obstacle in terms of the industry's sustainable and healthy development. In this regard, Ken responded that "PATEO attaches great importance to users' personal privacy rights in compliance with national laws, regulations, and requirements and establishes a security management committee. Meanwhile, we also strictly require our downstream suppliers to ensure the confidentiality and safety of user data." Ken also mentioned the function of intelligent cockpit, PATEO has added that "the setting of user privacy, which actively assists users to conceal sensitive information through well-processing user data collected by car-end devices, such as data in the car recorder, license plates, and facial recognition."

The implementation of advanced assisted driving technology and autonomous driving technology has become a primary focus in the product configuration of major automobile enterprises. As the Intelligent Networked Vehicle Technology Roadmap 2.0 suggests, it is expected that the penetration rate of PA (partially autonomous driving) and CA (conditional autonomous driving) intelligent networked vehicles continues to increase, reaching 50% in 2025 and more than 70% in 2030. The assembly rate of new vehicles with C-V2X terminals is anticipated to reach 50% in 2025 and be basically popularized in 2030.

Intelligent connected vehicles (ICVs) can provide safer, more comfortable, energy-efficient, environment-friendly travel modes and integrated solutions. It does not only pose significant impacts on the value-chain of future automotive industry, but also provides the Chinese automotive industry with strategic opportunities for transforming and upgrading auto products and technologies. ICV is regarded as a vital component of the urban intelligent transportation system, re-defining the 'car of the future' in China. From the perspectives of government guidance, market regulation, corporate R&D, China's ICV industry is facing a myriad of opportunities and challenges. China's government has been formulating policies and promoting investment to support the development of ICVs. Driven by mobile and government-supportive connectivity, it is anticipated that there will be explosive industrial growth of the ICV sector in the future.

Go here to read the rest:
Envisioning the Future Mobility in China: the Intelligent Connected Vehicles (ICVs) - EqualOcean

Mike Wolanin | The Republic The login screen for Tutor.com is seen on a computer at the Bartholomew County Library in Columbus, Ind., Friday, Aug. 5, 2022. Tyler Munn, collection and discovery services coordinator for the library, demonstrated how to log on and use the site. The library recently started offering the service.

The local library has added a new resource to help residents with academic improvement and job-seeking.

The Bartholomew County Public Library has entered a partnership with Tutor.com that allows library cardholders to access the websites services for free.

Tutor.com is an online business that partners with colleges, K-12 schools, libraries, employee benefits programs and the United States military to provide tutoring and homework help to individuals within these entities. It also has resources for career coaching, resume reviews and job seeking.

Tutor.com is a live online homework help and tutoring service for all ages, from elementary students to adult learners, the local library shared in a social media post. The tutors are experts in their subjects and include certified teachers, college professors, and qualified students. Tutor and student work one-to-one in a secure online classroom, and no personal information is exchanged between them.

Collection and Discovery Services Coordinator Tyler Munn said that the library believes this partnership to be a good use of their funds and hopes that both students and lifelong learners make good use of the resource.

He described Tutor.com as having two main pieces. One is live tutoring, which is available to library patrons from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. every day. Students can input their grade, the subject they need help with, and what kind of help they need. From there, they will be connected with an appropriate tutor.

Were told that the average connection time is less than a minute, so they shouldnt have much of a wait, said Munn. And then they have the option of having a chat-only tutoring session or chat with voice.

He added that hes been told that if a person were to sign on for a tutoring session as late at 10:59 p.m., they would still have access to live tutoring for as long as they need. Tutoring sessions typically last about half an hour.

The other half of the Tutor.com service is a suite of online resources that are available at any time. This includes submitting math problems, papers or resumes for feedback. There are also practice quizzes and study materials for different subjects, as well as test prep resources for the SAT, ACT, grad tests, AP tests and citizenship tests.

According to Munn, the library had considered working with Tutor.com in the past but has not partnered with them until now.

The budget allowed it this year, he said. There have been some shifts in the library budget. We have joined a group that has allowed us to save some money on purchasing digital books, so that has freed up some space for us to use some of our electronic resource funds on larger resources, like this Tutor.com.

The annual contract amount with Tutor.com is $7,950. In deciding on a contract, the library chose an option that included seven hours of live tutoring.

Library staff hope that the resource leads to lifelong learning and academic improvement for students.

We also know that there are various students who maybe have trouble maybe making connections with people, they maybe dont want to have in-person tutoring, Munn said. They maybe will like the sort of a little more anonymous style of tutoring that this product offers.

Originally posted here:
Tutoring help: Library offers virtual connection for academic coaching - The Republic

Country

United States of AmericaUS Virgin IslandsUnited States Minor Outlying IslandsCanadaMexico, United Mexican StatesBahamas, Commonwealth of theCuba, Republic ofDominican RepublicHaiti, Republic ofJamaicaAfghanistanAlbania, People's Socialist Republic ofAlgeria, People's Democratic Republic ofAmerican SamoaAndorra, Principality ofAngola, Republic ofAnguillaAntarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S)Antigua and BarbudaArgentina, Argentine RepublicArmeniaArubaAustralia, Commonwealth ofAustria, Republic ofAzerbaijan, Republic ofBahrain, Kingdom ofBangladesh, People's Republic ofBarbadosBelarusBelgium, Kingdom ofBelizeBenin, People's Republic ofBermudaBhutan, Kingdom ofBolivia, Republic ofBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswana, Republic ofBouvet Island (Bouvetoya)Brazil, Federative Republic ofBritish Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago)British Virgin IslandsBrunei DarussalamBulgaria, People's Republic ofBurkina FasoBurundi, Republic ofCambodia, Kingdom ofCameroon, United Republic ofCape Verde, Republic ofCayman IslandsCentral African RepublicChad, Republic ofChile, Republic ofChina, People's Republic ofChristmas IslandCocos (Keeling) IslandsColombia, Republic ofComoros, Union of theCongo, Democratic Republic ofCongo, People's Republic ofCook IslandsCosta Rica, Republic ofCote D'Ivoire, Ivory Coast, Republic of theCyprus, Republic ofCzech RepublicDenmark, Kingdom ofDjibouti, Republic ofDominica, Commonwealth ofEcuador, Republic ofEgypt, Arab Republic ofEl Salvador, Republic ofEquatorial Guinea, Republic ofEritreaEstoniaEthiopiaFaeroe IslandsFalkland Islands (Malvinas)Fiji, Republic of the Fiji IslandsFinland, Republic ofFrance, French RepublicFrench GuianaFrench PolynesiaFrench Southern TerritoriesGabon, Gabonese RepublicGambia, Republic of theGeorgiaGermanyGhana, Republic ofGibraltarGreece, Hellenic RepublicGreenlandGrenadaGuadaloupeGuamGuatemala, Republic ofGuinea, RevolutionaryPeople's Rep'c ofGuinea-Bissau, Republic ofGuyana, Republic ofHeard and McDonald IslandsHoly See (Vatican City State)Honduras, Republic ofHong Kong, Special Administrative Region of ChinaHrvatska (Croatia)Hungary, Hungarian People's RepublicIceland, Republic ofIndia, Republic ofIndonesia, Republic ofIran, Islamic Republic ofIraq, Republic ofIrelandIsrael, State ofItaly, Italian RepublicJapanJordan, Hashemite Kingdom ofKazakhstan, Republic ofKenya, Republic ofKiribati, Republic ofKorea, Democratic People's Republic ofKorea, Republic ofKuwait, State ofKyrgyz RepublicLao People's Democratic RepublicLatviaLebanon, Lebanese RepublicLesotho, Kingdom ofLiberia, Republic ofLibyan Arab JamahiriyaLiechtenstein, Principality ofLithuaniaLuxembourg, Grand Duchy ofMacao, Special Administrative Region of ChinaMacedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic ofMadagascar, Republic ofMalawi, Republic ofMalaysiaMaldives, Republic ofMali, Republic ofMalta, Republic ofMarshall IslandsMartiniqueMauritania, Islamic Republic ofMauritiusMayotteMicronesia, Federated States ofMoldova, Republic ofMonaco, Principality ofMongolia, Mongolian People's RepublicMontserratMorocco, Kingdom ofMozambique, People's Republic ofMyanmarNamibiaNauru, Republic ofNepal, Kingdom ofNetherlands AntillesNetherlands, Kingdom of theNew CaledoniaNew ZealandNicaragua, Republic ofNiger, Republic of theNigeria, Federal Republic ofNiue, Republic ofNorfolk IslandNorthern Mariana IslandsNorway, Kingdom ofOman, Sultanate ofPakistan, Islamic Republic ofPalauPalestinian Territory, OccupiedPanama, Republic ofPapua New GuineaParaguay, Republic ofPeru, Republic ofPhilippines, Republic of thePitcairn IslandPoland, Polish People's RepublicPortugal, Portuguese RepublicPuerto RicoQatar, State ofReunionRomania, Socialist Republic ofRussian FederationRwanda, Rwandese RepublicSamoa, Independent State ofSan Marino, Republic ofSao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic ofSaudi Arabia, Kingdom ofSenegal, Republic ofSerbia and MontenegroSeychelles, Republic ofSierra Leone, Republic ofSingapore, Republic ofSlovakia (Slovak Republic)SloveniaSolomon IslandsSomalia, Somali RepublicSouth Africa, Republic ofSouth Georgia and the South Sandwich IslandsSpain, Spanish StateSri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic ofSt. HelenaSt. Kitts and NevisSt. LuciaSt. Pierre and MiquelonSt. Vincent and the GrenadinesSudan, Democratic Republic of theSuriname, Republic ofSvalbard & Jan Mayen IslandsSwaziland, Kingdom ofSweden, Kingdom ofSwitzerland, Swiss ConfederationSyrian Arab RepublicTaiwan, Province of ChinaTajikistanTanzania, United Republic ofThailand, Kingdom ofTimor-Leste, Democratic Republic ofTogo, Togolese RepublicTokelau (Tokelau Islands)Tonga, Kingdom ofTrinidad and Tobago, Republic ofTunisia, Republic ofTurkey, Republic ofTurkmenistanTurks and Caicos IslandsTuvaluUganda, Republic ofUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited Kingdom of Great Britain & N. IrelandUruguay, Eastern Republic ofUzbekistanVanuatuVenezuela, Bolivarian Republic ofViet Nam, Socialist Republic ofWallis and Futuna IslandsWestern SaharaYemenZambia, Republic ofZimbabwe

Visit link:
Mesquite ISD libraries are promoting online resources as demand increases - Star Local Media