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[SOURCE: https://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/פולדה_(עיר)] \| [TOKENS: 2660]
תוכן עניינים פולדה (עיר) פולדה (גרמנית: Fulda; נכתב לעיתים פולדא) היא עיר במדינת הסן, גרמניה. העיר יושבת על נהר הפולדה. היא אחת משבע הערים בעלות מעמד מיוחד במדינת הסן. היסטוריה ראשיתה של העיר במנזר פולדה אשר הוקם בשנת 744 על ידי סטורמיוס הקדוש, תלמידו של בוניפציוס הקדוש, מבשר הנצרות בגרמניה. העיר מוזכרת לראשונה כעיר בשנת 1114, עד שבשנת 1208 קיבלה פולדה מעמד של עיר, למרות התנגדות ראשי המנזר שטענו שהשטח הוא בבעלותם. בעת מלחמת האיכרים הגרמנית שהתחוללה בין השנים 1524–1526, השתתפו מבין גברי העיר כ-10,000 לוחמים בקרבות, תחת פיקודו של הנס דאלהופף. נסיך המדינה, פיליפ מהסן, מזכיר צבא חזק ומאורגן שהשתתף בלחימה על ההר פראון. במהלך המאה ה-18 עברה העיר תנופת בנייה בסגנון הבארוק, בין השאר בשיפוץ קתדרלת העיר וארמון המבצר על ידי יוהאן דינצנהופר. גם כנסיית העיר, נבנתה בין השנים 1771 - 1785. בשנת 1764, נפתח בעיר מפעל חרסינה תחת בעלותו של הנסיך והבישוף הנריך פון ביברה, אך זמן קצר לאחר מותו, בשנת 1789 נסגר המפעל. בעקבות איכותה ונדירותה, מוערכת החרסינה על ידי אספנים בשווי רב. לעיר וסביבתה נודעה חשיבות במהלך המלחמה הקרה, עקב קרבתה של העיר לגבול עם מזרח גרמניה, והיותם של הכוחות האמריקניים פרושים לאורך גבול זה. מקור השם העיר נקראת על שם הנהר הזורם בקרבתה. מקור השם פולדה אינו ברור. השם fulda מוזכר במסמכים החל משנת 751. המקור הסביר ביותר הוא מסקסונית עתיקה folda (ארץ, אדמה), והמילה 'אהה', מלטינית "מים" (aqua). מכיוון שההברה pol/pel נפוצה מאוד בקרב השפות הודו-אירופאיות, ניתן להניח כי מקור השם הוא Polota. בשל העובדה כי מספר רב של ההודו אירופי מילים עם השורש * pel-/pol- שם, אפשר גם כי Fulda גרסה של ההודו אירופי היה Polota. שם של פולדה ולכן יכול גם כמה מערכות יחסים במזרחה של אירופה המרכזית, ראו: ב לטביה יש Palt, palte (שלולית, שלולית), אלא גם את הנהר או Peltew Pelta. יהדות פולדה הקהילה היהודית בפולדה הייתה מן הקהילות הוותיקות ביותר בגרמניה. בשנת ד'תתקצ"ו (1235), הואשמו היהודים ברצח חמשת ילדי טוחן מקומי בחג המולד, ובשמירת דמם עבור שימוש לאפיית מצות לפסח. לאחר שלושה ימי חקירה ממושכים ועינויים הודו שני יהודים מתושבי העיר בהאשמות. בעקבות כך, בפרעות שנערכו בי"ז בטבת על ידי קבוצת צלבנים ואזרחים מקומיים ששהו בעיר, נרצחו 34 יהודים. רק בזכות הגנת חברי מועצת העיר על היהודים בגופם, נעצרו הפרעות. בעקבות האירועים, הורה פרידריך השני קיסר גרמניה, על הקמת ועדת חקירה, שהורכבה בעיקר מיהודים מומרים שאינם מגרמניה. הוועדה קבעה, כי על פי המידע המתקבל בתנ"ך, בברית החדשה ובתלמוד, ליהודים נאסר השימוש בדם לצורכי אכילה. ולפיכך, העלילה היא מופרכת ושקרית. בעקבות מסקנת הוועדה, הוציא הקיסר הצהרה ביולי 1236, בה הוא שולל את עלילת הדם מכל וכל, וקבע כי נוצרים שיהרגו יהודים מפני אשמה זו, יחשבו כמורדים במלך. כרב העיר וכראש הישיבה שפעלה בעיר כיהן הרב אליהו לואנץ. ורבי שמואל אהרן בן רבי אליקים (נפטר ביום ה׳ ט׳ באייר תי״ב), ורבי אליעזר משולם ברילין, ואחריו בנו רבי יצחק (נפטר במנהיים ביום ה׳ כ״ג אדר תל״ח). וכן כיהן בה כרב הרב מאיר שיף מחבר חידושי מהר"ם שיף על התלמוד. שם העיר זכור לדורות בשמו של פרשן הירושלמי הרב אליהו מפולדא. גאוגרפיה ערים תאומות קישורים חיצוניים
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[SOURCE: https://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/ה'תצ"א] \| [TOKENS: 622]
תוכן עניינים ה'תצ"א ה'תצ"א (5,491) ובקיצור תצ"א – היא שנה עברית אשר החלה ביום א' בתשרי, אור ל-12 בספטמבר 1730, והסתיימה ביום כ"ט באלול, 30 בספטמבר 1731.המולד של תשרי חל ביום שלישי, 14 שעות ו-930 חלקים. לפיכך זו שנה מסוג גכז. היא מעוברת, ואורכה 384 ימים.זו שנה שלישית לשמיטה, ושנת 19 במחזור העיבור ה-290. תקופת ניסן שבשנה זו היא תחילת שנת 3 (סימנה גיוא) במחזור השמש ה-197.שנה זו היא שנת 1,662 לחורבן הבית, ושנת 2,042 לשטרות. אירועים נולדו נפטרו לוח שנה להלן לוח שנה עברי - גרגוריאני. בכל משבצת יומית - אות אחת או זוג אותיות לציון היום בחודש העברי, ומספר לציון היום בחודש הגרגוריאני. ה'תפ"ו • ה'תפ"ז • ה'תפ"ח • ה'תפ"ט • ה'ת"ץ • ה'תצ"א • ה'תצ"ב • ה'תצ"ג • ה'תצ"ד • ה'תצ"ה • ה'תצ"ו
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[SOURCE: https://www.bbc.com/travel/destinations/middle-east] \| [TOKENS: 1970]
DestinationsAfricaAntarcticaAsiaAustralia and PacificCaribbean & BermudaCentral AmericaEuropeMiddle EastNorth AmericaSouth AmericaIraq's answer to the pyramidsEgypt may have the Pyramids of Giza, but Iraq has the Ziggurat of Ur – an incredibly well-preserved engineering achievement that towers over the ruins of an important ancient city.23 Aug 2022TravelA drive into the cradle of civilisationAlong a single road cutting across the heart of Iraq, you can see where people first learned to write, use maths and invent the wheel.25 May 2023TravelIraq's answer to the pyramidsEgypt may have the Pyramids of Giza, but Iraq has the Ziggurat of Ur – an incredibly well-preserved engineering achievement that towers over the ruins of an important ancient city.23 Aug 2022TravelA drive into the cradle of civilisationAlong a single road cutting across the heart of Iraq, you can see where people first learned to write, use maths and invent the wheel.25 May 2023TravelKabul’s peaceful garden refugesIn a city torn apart by civil war and violence, gardening provides temporary tranquillity.16 Dec 2017TravelFive countries that are safer for womenDespite the growing trend in solo travel, women still encounter challenges when they travel abroad alone. But some places are topping the rankings when it comes to safety and equality.3 Apr 2023TravelSaudi's lineage of interior stylistsIn the remote, mountainous region of 'Asir, women's ingenuity can be seen in a 200-year-old artform that's passed from mother to daughter.Kabul’s peaceful garden refugesIn a city torn apart by civil war and violence, gardening provides temporary tranquillity.16 Dec 2017TravelFive countries that are safer for womenDespite the growing trend in solo travel, women still encounter challenges when they travel abroad alone. But some places are topping the rankings when it comes to safety and equality.3 Apr 2023TravelMore travel in the Middle EastWhat happens to family recipes when home is lost?A new book uses food to help humanise the people and places impacted by war.A sacred journey connecting Jordan and SpainIn Jordan, a 50km pilgrimage trail follows the path of a 4th-Century nun who journeyed through the Holy Land – centuries before Spain's famed Camino de Santiago.Is it time to change how we buy travel souvenirs?The BBC looks into the psychology behind travel souvenirs: why we buy them, their impact on local communities and the planet, and how we can shop more thoughtfully.Jordan's new long-distance hiking trailIt traces the stunning, extraterrestrial landscape featured in films like Star Wars and Dune, while helping to preserve traditional Bedouin culture.A new city rising from the desertThe Black Desert offers visitors millions of years of natural and human history – but this may all change with plans to build a new capital city on the desert's edge.The ancient road that bridged kingdomsIt's mentioned in the Bible, has been used by a succession of empires and links some of Jordan's most important historical sitesMore travel5 Sep 2022A comfort food that survived a warThrough decades of conflict, two generations of chefs have served hungry customers this lamb dish cooked in colourful teapots.5 Sep 20223 Jun 2022The Muslim divers breaking the rulesIn predominately Muslim countries, women are discouraged from scuba diving. But with trailblazers proving they can do it, are the figures about to be buoyed up?3 Jun 202225 Feb 2022373 miles of secret treasuresFor the first time, a trail has been mapped through Jordan, allowing tourists to enjoy the different terrains of the country.25 Feb 202225 Feb 2022A rare treasure hidden in plain sightTo preserve the ancient site of Petra for future generations, archaeologists and locals are re-excavating earlier archaeological “dumps” in search of lost treasures.25 Feb 202225 Feb 2022‘I was hoping he wasn’t a lunatic’Deep in the wilds of Jordan’s desert, the generosity of a stranger offered a curious group of backpackers the adventure of a lifetime.25 Feb 202222 Dec 2021A world heritage city of toleranceThis small Jordanian city where minarets and church towers share the skyline was deemed a "place of tolerance and urban hospitality" by Unesco.22 Dec 20212 Jul 2021A region barely touched by timeOnce an isolated region barely touched by the hands of time, Afghanistan's Wakhan Corridor stands on the brink of great change with the building of a new road linking it with China.2 Jul 202116 Apr 2021The cities that banned the selfieIn Africa's largest nation, residents of five ancient cities are going to great lengths to protect and preserve their traditional way of life.16 Apr 202113 May 2020Say hello to the world’s new greetingsAs social distancing lingers, many cultures around the world are adapting their distinct greetings to fit the new normal.13 May 2020... Destinations Iraq's answer to the pyramids Egypt may have the Pyramids of Giza, but Iraq has the Ziggurat of Ur – an incredibly well-preserved engineering achievement that towers over the ruins of an important ancient city. A drive into the cradle of civilisation Along a single road cutting across the heart of Iraq, you can see where people first learned to write, use maths and invent the wheel. Iraq's answer to the pyramids Egypt may have the Pyramids of Giza, but Iraq has the Ziggurat of Ur – an incredibly well-preserved engineering achievement that towers over the ruins of an important ancient city. A drive into the cradle of civilisation Along a single road cutting across the heart of Iraq, you can see where people first learned to write, use maths and invent the wheel. Kabul’s peaceful garden refuges In a city torn apart by civil war and violence, gardening provides temporary tranquillity. Five countries that are safer for women Despite the growing trend in solo travel, women still encounter challenges when they travel abroad alone. But some places are topping the rankings when it comes to safety and equality. Saudi's lineage of interior stylists In the remote, mountainous region of 'Asir, women's ingenuity can be seen in a 200-year-old artform that's passed from mother to daughter. Kabul’s peaceful garden refuges In a city torn apart by civil war and violence, gardening provides temporary tranquillity. Five countries that are safer for women Despite the growing trend in solo travel, women still encounter challenges when they travel abroad alone. But some places are topping the rankings when it comes to safety and equality. More travel in the Middle East What happens to family recipes when home is lost? A new book uses food to help humanise the people and places impacted by war. A sacred journey connecting Jordan and Spain In Jordan, a 50km pilgrimage trail follows the path of a 4th-Century nun who journeyed through the Holy Land – centuries before Spain's famed Camino de Santiago. Is it time to change how we buy travel souvenirs? The BBC looks into the psychology behind travel souvenirs: why we buy them, their impact on local communities and the planet, and how we can shop more thoughtfully. Jordan's new long-distance hiking trail It traces the stunning, extraterrestrial landscape featured in films like Star Wars and Dune, while helping to preserve traditional Bedouin culture. A new city rising from the desert The Black Desert offers visitors millions of years of natural and human history – but this may all change with plans to build a new capital city on the desert's edge. The ancient road that bridged kingdoms It's mentioned in the Bible, has been used by a succession of empires and links some of Jordan's most important historical sites More travel A comfort food that survived a war Through decades of conflict, two generations of chefs have served hungry customers this lamb dish cooked in colourful teapots. The Muslim divers breaking the rules In predominately Muslim countries, women are discouraged from scuba diving. But with trailblazers proving they can do it, are the figures about to be buoyed up? 373 miles of secret treasures For the first time, a trail has been mapped through Jordan, allowing tourists to enjoy the different terrains of the country. A rare treasure hidden in plain sight To preserve the ancient site of Petra for future generations, archaeologists and locals are re-excavating earlier archaeological “dumps” in search of lost treasures. ‘I was hoping he wasn’t a lunatic’ Deep in the wilds of Jordan’s desert, the generosity of a stranger offered a curious group of backpackers the adventure of a lifetime. A world heritage city of tolerance This small Jordanian city where minarets and church towers share the skyline was deemed a "place of tolerance and urban hospitality" by Unesco. A region barely touched by time Once an isolated region barely touched by the hands of time, Afghanistan's Wakhan Corridor stands on the brink of great change with the building of a new road linking it with China. The cities that banned the selfie In Africa's largest nation, residents of five ancient cities are going to great lengths to protect and preserve their traditional way of life. Say hello to the world’s new greetings As social distancing lingers, many cultures around the world are adapting their distinct greetings to fit the new normal. Copyright 2026 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.
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[SOURCE: https://www.bbc.com/travel/destinations/south-america] \| [TOKENS: 2088]
DestinationsAfricaAntarcticaAsiaAustralia and PacificCaribbean & BermudaCentral AmericaEuropeMiddle EastNorth AmericaSouth AmericaHow huge statues 'walked' 900 years agoLiving on a remote, barren isle bestowed with few resources, the Rapanui needed to combine ingenious design with flawless sculpting to move the massive moai without any machinery.7 Sep 2022TravelBrazil's sacred, newly opened mountainNearly 20 years ago, Brazil banned access to its highest mountain. Now, a new initiative could show how ecotourism can protect the Amazon rainforest from environmental threats.11 Oct 2022TravelHow huge statues 'walked' 900 years agoLiving on a remote, barren isle bestowed with few resources, the Rapanui needed to combine ingenious design with flawless sculpting to move the massive moai without any machinery.7 Sep 2022TravelBrazil's sacred, newly opened mountainNearly 20 years ago, Brazil banned access to its highest mountain. Now, a new initiative could show how ecotourism can protect the Amazon rainforest from environmental threats.11 Oct 2022TravelWhy remote workers are flocking to RioLaunched in January 2022, Brazil's new Digital Nomad Visa is enticing a new type of traveller to the South American country. And Rio is one of the most alluring spots to settle.25 Apr 2023TravelThe outlawed drink making a comebackVillainised, stigmatised and still officially outlawed, the indigenous beverage chicha has been making a comeback.28 Mar 2023TravelArgentina's answer to YellowstoneOnce a degraded backwater, Argentina's Iberá Wetlands is home to a stunning collection of wildlife – and one of the continent's most ambitious eco-initiatives.Why remote workers are flocking to RioLaunched in January 2022, Brazil's new Digital Nomad Visa is enticing a new type of traveller to the South American country. And Rio is one of the most alluring spots to settle.25 Apr 2023TravelThe outlawed drink making a comebackVillainised, stigmatised and still officially outlawed, the indigenous beverage chicha has been making a comeback.28 Mar 2023TravelMore South America destinationsWhere tourism is growing fastest in 2026As global travel rebounds, the fastest growth is happening beyond the usual tourism heavyweights – from Ethiopia to Bhutan.The most anticipated restaurant openings of 2026From flame-seared dishes in Mexico to avant-garde cooking in India, these six new restaurants are worth travelling for this year.The most anticipated hotel openings of 2026From luxury island villas in the Maldives to an off-grid Australian resort, these are the six new property openings we're most excited about.Is it time to retire terms like 'Venice of the East'?From "Venice of the East" to "lost civilisations", colonial-era travel metaphors still shape how some see non-Western places. But that language deserves a rethink.How Trump is disrupting global travelSome travellers are now second-guessing whether it's safe to visit destinations the US has recently threatened.Beat the winter blues with these escapesFrom a Maldivian island alliance to Peru's pisco heartlands, these warm-weather trips pair sunshine with soul-enriching experiences.More travel14 Dec 2025Brazil's astonishing, lagoon-filled desertLençóis Maranhenses looks like a desert, but it's alive with shimmering pools, remote villages and ancient paths that only local guides know how to read.14 Dec 20259 Dec 2025Meaningful Christmas rituals around the worldThese seven global traditions show a different side to the season - one that's more communal, reflective and far less materialistic.9 Dec 20259 Oct 2025One of the world's last great road tripsChile's Carretera Austral remains one of the world's most remote and spectacular road trips, where every kilometre tests your resolve and rewards your persistence.9 Oct 202523 Sep 2025Five of the best countries for expats in 2025From Panama's jungles to Vietnam's buzzing cities, these five countries offer expats the best mix of affordability, friendliness and quality of life.23 Sep 202511 Sep 2025Peru's new city unearthed from the desertThe discovery of Peñico in Peru's Supe Valley is reshaping our understanding of the Caral civilisation – a peaceful society that survived climate catastrophe 4,000 years ago.11 Sep 202512 Aug 2025Argentina's wild new coastal escapeWith sea lions, kelp forests and cosy eco-lodges, Patagonia Azul is Argentina's ambitious new marine park – and it's finally ready for travellers.12 Aug 20256 Jul 2025The ski resort Olympians flock to each summerIn the Chilean Andes, a retro mountain resort draws elite athletes and lifelong fans for one reason: skiing.6 Jul 202526 Jun 2025Four countries betting big on sports tourismFrom Spain to South Africa, nations are investing big in sports infrastructure to attract the growing wave of travelling fans.26 Jun 202511 May 2025Where do all those Mother's Day flowers come from?Every May, millions of flowers make their way to mums across the US for Mother's Day, and the majority come from one nation.11 May 2025... Destinations How huge statues 'walked' 900 years ago Living on a remote, barren isle bestowed with few resources, the Rapanui needed to combine ingenious design with flawless sculpting to move the massive moai without any machinery. Brazil's sacred, newly opened mountain Nearly 20 years ago, Brazil banned access to its highest mountain. Now, a new initiative could show how ecotourism can protect the Amazon rainforest from environmental threats. How huge statues 'walked' 900 years ago Living on a remote, barren isle bestowed with few resources, the Rapanui needed to combine ingenious design with flawless sculpting to move the massive moai without any machinery. Brazil's sacred, newly opened mountain Nearly 20 years ago, Brazil banned access to its highest mountain. Now, a new initiative could show how ecotourism can protect the Amazon rainforest from environmental threats. Why remote workers are flocking to Rio Launched in January 2022, Brazil's new Digital Nomad Visa is enticing a new type of traveller to the South American country. And Rio is one of the most alluring spots to settle. The outlawed drink making a comeback Villainised, stigmatised and still officially outlawed, the indigenous beverage chicha has been making a comeback. Argentina's answer to Yellowstone Once a degraded backwater, Argentina's Iberá Wetlands is home to a stunning collection of wildlife – and one of the continent's most ambitious eco-initiatives. Why remote workers are flocking to Rio Launched in January 2022, Brazil's new Digital Nomad Visa is enticing a new type of traveller to the South American country. And Rio is one of the most alluring spots to settle. The outlawed drink making a comeback Villainised, stigmatised and still officially outlawed, the indigenous beverage chicha has been making a comeback. More South America destinations Where tourism is growing fastest in 2026 As global travel rebounds, the fastest growth is happening beyond the usual tourism heavyweights – from Ethiopia to Bhutan. The most anticipated restaurant openings of 2026 From flame-seared dishes in Mexico to avant-garde cooking in India, these six new restaurants are worth travelling for this year. The most anticipated hotel openings of 2026 From luxury island villas in the Maldives to an off-grid Australian resort, these are the six new property openings we're most excited about. Is it time to retire terms like 'Venice of the East'? From "Venice of the East" to "lost civilisations", colonial-era travel metaphors still shape how some see non-Western places. But that language deserves a rethink. How Trump is disrupting global travel Some travellers are now second-guessing whether it's safe to visit destinations the US has recently threatened. Beat the winter blues with these escapes From a Maldivian island alliance to Peru's pisco heartlands, these warm-weather trips pair sunshine with soul-enriching experiences. More travel Brazil's astonishing, lagoon-filled desert Lençóis Maranhenses looks like a desert, but it's alive with shimmering pools, remote villages and ancient paths that only local guides know how to read. Meaningful Christmas rituals around the world These seven global traditions show a different side to the season - one that's more communal, reflective and far less materialistic. One of the world's last great road trips Chile's Carretera Austral remains one of the world's most remote and spectacular road trips, where every kilometre tests your resolve and rewards your persistence. Five of the best countries for expats in 2025 From Panama's jungles to Vietnam's buzzing cities, these five countries offer expats the best mix of affordability, friendliness and quality of life. Peru's new city unearthed from the desert The discovery of Peñico in Peru's Supe Valley is reshaping our understanding of the Caral civilisation – a peaceful society that survived climate catastrophe 4,000 years ago. Argentina's wild new coastal escape With sea lions, kelp forests and cosy eco-lodges, Patagonia Azul is Argentina's ambitious new marine park – and it's finally ready for travellers. The ski resort Olympians flock to each summer In the Chilean Andes, a retro mountain resort draws elite athletes and lifelong fans for one reason: skiing. Four countries betting big on sports tourism From Spain to South Africa, nations are investing big in sports infrastructure to attract the growing wave of travelling fans. Where do all those Mother's Day flowers come from? Every May, millions of flowers make their way to mums across the US for Mother's Day, and the majority come from one nation. Copyright 2026 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.
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[SOURCE: https://www.fast.ai/posts/2025-02-03-cpath-foundation/index.html] \| [TOKENS: 2020]
What AI can tell us about microscope slides Rachel Thomas February 3, 2025 On this page This article was originally posted on rachel.fast.ai, where Rachel has been writing about her journey as an AI researcher returning to school for immunology. The lavender images below show breast tissue. There are many questions doctors could want to answer using these images: They could want to know whether there are tumors present or not. If there is a tumor, doctors would want to classify its stage, make predictions about how likely the patient is to respond to treatment, and to detect whether the tumor has spread from another organ. All of these are questions which people are now tackling with machine learning. They fall within the area of computational pathology, often abbreviated CPath. In the past year, two CPath AI models were released which achieved state-of-the-art results. Here I will discuss an introduction to this field, what these models do, and what some key challenges are going forward. CPath foundation models There is a powerful idea about how to make more accurate CPath models. Rather than train a model on a single type of tissue and a single task (e.g. identifying cancer in breast tissue), train a model on images of tissue from many different organs (breasts, lymph nodes, lungs, prostate, heart,…) and on multiple different tasks (recognizing cancer, determining the stage and subtype of the cancer, segmenting cells, and predicting treatment outcomes). Patterns learned from one dataset or one task are likely to generalize to others. Such models are known as CPath foundation models. In general, a foundation model is a machine learning model which is trained on a sufficiently diverse large dataset which can then be adapted for a range of downstream tasks. This idea is commonly used in the area of language models such as Chat-GPT and Claude.ai. Language foundation models are trained on many types of language tasks and intended to generalize across different corpuses of text (e.g. wikipedia, reddit posts, academic papers, online conversations, news articles, and more). ImageNet models trained to recognize a huge variety of different pictures often serve as foundation models for images. The success of foundation models within the areas of language and more general images is a key reason why we might expect pathology foundation models to be useful too. Two notable CPath foundation models were released in 2024: Prov-GigaPath and UNI. Both models achieved state-of-the-art performance on dozens of pathology tasks (although they were not directly compared to one another). Another relevant paper (from Kaiko.ai) studied the impact of dataset size and model size on CPath model performance. Learning the Vocab Medicine is full of jargon and specialized vocabulary. Pathology refers to the study of disease. It is a broad field, and can include everything from dissecting dead bodies to analyzing blood samples. One key focus of computational pathology is analyzing and interpreting whole slide images (WSIs) and in some cases combined with accompanying meta-data about a patient. Whole slide images refers to the complete microscope slide, although in many cases the region of interest (such as particular cancerous or inflamed cells) may be much smaller, just occupying a subset of the slide. Machine learning (ML) is a subfield of Artificial intelligence (AI) which involves learning from past data, and is increasingly being used with great success in pathology. The focus of most computational pathology ML models is on images of tissue, on microscope slides. That is what we will focus on in this post as well. So Many Tasks! There are many different benchmarks that CPath models can be tested on. These involve numerous datasets: related to different areas of the body, with different sizes, and with different purposes. They also involve a variety of tasks, including binary classification, image segmentation, and outcome prediction. Prov-GigaPath attained state-of-the-art performance on 25 out of the 26 tasks it was evaluated on and UNI attained state-of-the-art performance on 34 different tasks. Here I will give examples of just 3 of these tasks. In the 1960s, the pathologist Dr. Donald Gleason came up with a grading scale for rating cells as they progressed from normal to prostate cancer. The Gleason Grading system is still widely used and is considered a powerful predictor of how prostate cancer patients will fare. A major medical image conference (MICCAI) held a competition in 2022 for researchers to create algorithms to determine the Gleason grades when given images of prostate tissue. The prostate tissue is shown in pink, and segments have been colored in blocks based on where they fall on the Gleason scale. Rejection is the main cause of mortality in patients who have received a heart transplant. Since the early stages of rejection can be asymptomatic, it is standard for patients to receive frequent biopsies for 1-2 years following a transplant. These are known as endomyocardial biopsies (EMB), since they remove a small sample of tissue from the inner lining (endo) of the heart (cardial) muscle (myo). Accurately interpreting the results of these biopsies is a key question. Underestimating the chance of rejection could lead to dangerous delays in treatment, but overestimating could lead to alarm and unnecessary follow-ups or treatment. Assessment of the sampled tissue by experienced pathologists has higher variability than many other tasks, such as cancer diagnosis. Deep learning is being used to tackle this task, in models such as Cardiac Rejection Assessment Neural Estimator (CRANE) and the CPath foundation model UNI. For several common genetic mutations in tumors, there are specific drugs known to target those mutations. This has a direct application for clinical treatment. Since genetic mutations can change the form and function of cells, it is reasonable to expect that this information could be deduced from images of the cancer cells. Deep learning models have been built to identify genetic mutations from tissue slides. The benefits of using a computational approach are that it can be scaled as an increasing number of relevant genetic mutations and molecular biomarkers are being discovered. Task-specific models have been built for this, and this is one of the tasks that foundation models can be tested on. We need more data One key challenge in the area of CPath foundation models is gathering enough training data. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) was an ambitious project launched in 2006 by the National Cancer Institute in the USA. Over a 12 year period, samples were collected from over 11,000 patients of 33 different cancer types, and all this data was made publicly available. While this is a rich dataset and a useful resource, all 3 papers we’ve looked at concluded that TCGA is not large enough for effective foundation models. In addition to limited data size, TCGA also has limited diversity, consisting mostly of slides from the primary site of cancer, but not metastasized cancers or different types of tissues. Researchers at Kaiko.ai tested the impact of scaling both the size of their model and the size of the training dataset. While they found limited need to scale model size beyond a certain point, they found that larger datasets continued to lead to increased performance. They concluded that TCGA was likely not large enough and shared their plans to build a larger training set, and are now partnering with cancer centers across Europe to create a dataset for their model. The researchers behind two other CPath foundation models reached the same conclusion about data set size, and gathered massive datasets to train their models. This required partnering with healthcare centers. Prov-GigaPath, a model created by Microsoft Research and Providence Genomics involved data from 30,000 patients across 28 cancer centers (which are part of Providence Healthcare company). UNI, a cPath model created by a team at Harvard, MIT, and the Broad Institute, involved the creation of the Mass-100K: a dataset with over 100K whole slide images across 20 tissue types collected from Mass General Hospital, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, and Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) consortium. These partnerships and curation of training datasets are currently a crucial component of building CPath foundation models. Curating datasets carefully poses many challenges as well. Combining data from different sources, which often use different protocols for how slides are sampled and prepared, can introduce significant biases. Different scales CPath foundation models face the difficulty of capturing both local patterns (that show up in a small tile within a slide) and global patterns across the whole slide. Many tiny tiles are found within a slide. Some models, such as the Hierarchical Image Pyramid Transformer (from several of the same authors as UNI), use hierarchical approaches to deal with these multiple scales. Other models, such as Prov-GigaPath, treat the tiles as tokens, encoding both the tiles and the slide as a whole as model inputs. Prov-GigaPath uses both a slide encoder and a tile encoder to take into account these two different scales. In pathology clinics, diagnosis and treatment decisions are often made at the patient level, whereas CPath models are often highly focused on regions of interest. Accommodating the multiple relevant scales (small tiles, whole slides, and patient-level) for pathology is a consideration that CPath models need to balance. Going Forward It is still early in the world of CPath and there are many growth opportunities, including the continued need for large and diverse datasets, ways to further optimize model training, tasks which have previously received less focus, and the difficulties of integrating models into clinical work. As the authors of the kaiko.ai paper wrote, “We are still at the very beginning of developing a truly foundational pathology foundation model.” It is a hopeful sign that these models achieve state-of-the-art results on dozens of benchmarks, but it still remains to be seen when and how they will be used in clinical settings. Related Reading: You can subscribe to be notified of Rachel’s microbiology blog posts by submitting your email below:
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[SOURCE: https://www.bbc.com/travel/worlds-table] \| [TOKENS: 2816]
World’s TableWhy the world fell in love with dolmaThis labour-intensive dish has crossed empires, borders and belief systems, becoming a shared language of generosity around the world.The most anticipated restaurant openings of 2026Inside Italy's secretive food confraternitiesFifty courses, no leftovers: Inside Italy's sacred Panarda feastGlobal ChefsDarjeeling Express and the force that is Asma KhanLondon's Darjeeling Express – the only all-female Indian kitchen in the world – is ground zero for Asma Khan, a champion of women's empowerment in a movement that is now global.See moreWhere 'leftovers' mean high-end mealsMassimo Bottura is one of the world's best chefs and his recent food projects bring elegant dining experiences to underserved communities – while reducing waste.Madhur Jaffrey: A true culinary iconCulinary legend Madhur Jaffrey celebrates the 50th anniversary of her seminal book, An Invitation to Indian Cooking, which put Indian food on tables around the world.The chef who created a culinary armyBefore chef José Andrés became famous for World Central Kitchen, he had already scaled the heights of his profession. His new cookbook celebrates the group's humanitarian impact.WatchWhy Atlanta's culinary scene is getting food lovers excitedThe city's food scene is redefining southern hospitality with bold and unpretentious global flavours.World's TableSouth African Braai: What it is and why you should try itThe Braai tradition in South Africa is more than just a BBQ, it's a phenomenon that ties the nation together.World's TableThe evolution of London's oldest 'ocakbaşı' restaurantMangal 2, a fixture on the London food scene, is redefining Turkish cuisine in a city constantly evolving.World's TableWorld's first 'zero-waste' restaurant without a single binAs part of its mission, Silo uses a nose to tail and root to tip approach to cooking out of respect for nature.World's TableInto the wild: 'Everyman's right' to forage in FinlandForaging is one of Finland's favourite hobbies and an essential part of the culture.World's TableThe mixologist serving up Black History, one drink at a timeDeniseea Taylor is a mixologist who teaches what she jokingly calls 'drunk Black History'.World's TableBritish v American scones: Is there a difference?US baker and chef Nancy Silverton explains the difference between British and American scones.World's TableFire, smoke, and ash are all ingredients in Bottura's BBQInside the kitchen of Italian chef Massimo Bottura's new restaurant Al Gatto Verde.World's TableMastic artichokes: The unique dish of 'Turkey's Tuscany'Mastic artichokes are a special variety beloved in the Urla region of Turkey.World's TableDept of Culture, a Nigerian chef takes over New York CityShortlisted for the prestigious James Beard Award, Dept of Culture only has one table, and it's sold out.World's TableThe paternity of an iconic Roman pasta is being challengedAn article claiming the American paternity of pasta carbonara caused an uproar. 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But one of its most beloved brews, Noche Buena, is only available for just a few weeks each year.24 Dec 20258 Dec 2025Sorry, France, the world's best bubbly is BritishOver the past decade, international chefs have swept French culinary competitions with unprecedented frequency.8 Dec 20256 Dec 2025Why travellers keep queueing for viral foodExperts explain how FOMO, social proof and performance culture have turned ordinary snacks into global must-queue experiences.6 Dec 202528 Nov 2025The controversial snack that fuels Norwegian tripsKvikk Lunsj has fuelled outdoor adventures for generations. So, what makes Norway's 'trip chocolate' so controversial?28 Nov 2025... World’s Table Why the world fell in love with dolma This labour-intensive dish has crossed empires, borders and belief systems, becoming a shared language of generosity around the world. The most anticipated restaurant openings of 2026 Inside Italy's secretive food confraternities Fifty courses, no leftovers: Inside Italy's sacred Panarda feast Global Chefs Darjeeling Express and the force that is Asma Khan Where 'leftovers' mean high-end meals Massimo Bottura is one of the world's best chefs and his recent food projects bring elegant dining experiences to underserved communities – while reducing waste. Madhur Jaffrey: A true culinary icon Culinary legend Madhur Jaffrey celebrates the 50th anniversary of her seminal book, An Invitation to Indian Cooking, which put Indian food on tables around the world. The chef who created a culinary army Before chef José Andrés became famous for World Central Kitchen, he had already scaled the heights of his profession. His new cookbook celebrates the group's humanitarian impact. Watch Why Atlanta's culinary scene is getting food lovers excited The city's food scene is redefining southern hospitality with bold and unpretentious global flavours. South African Braai: What it is and why you should try it The Braai tradition in South Africa is more than just a BBQ, it's a phenomenon that ties the nation together. The evolution of London's oldest 'ocakbaşı' restaurant Mangal 2, a fixture on the London food scene, is redefining Turkish cuisine in a city constantly evolving. World's first 'zero-waste' restaurant without a single bin As part of its mission, Silo uses a nose to tail and root to tip approach to cooking out of respect for nature. Into the wild: 'Everyman's right' to forage in Finland Foraging is one of Finland's favourite hobbies and an essential part of the culture. The mixologist serving up Black History, one drink at a time Deniseea Taylor is a mixologist who teaches what she jokingly calls 'drunk Black History'. British v American scones: Is there a difference? US baker and chef Nancy Silverton explains the difference between British and American scones. Fire, smoke, and ash are all ingredients in Bottura's BBQ Inside the kitchen of Italian chef Massimo Bottura's new restaurant Al Gatto Verde. Mastic artichokes: The unique dish of 'Turkey's Tuscany' Mastic artichokes are a special variety beloved in the Urla region of Turkey. Dept of Culture, a Nigerian chef takes over New York City Shortlisted for the prestigious James Beard Award, Dept of Culture only has one table, and it's sold out. The paternity of an iconic Roman pasta is being challenged An article claiming the American paternity of pasta carbonara caused an uproar. But what is a real carbonara? The French peasant dish gone Michelin star How did this humble Mediterranean dish make it to Michelin-star restaurants in France? A 2,200-year-old mystery hidden in a pie From an absurd papal edict to the horrors of Nazism: the mysterious origin of a pie. How to make the perfect Victoria Sponge cake Claire Ptak uses brown sugar instead of white in her Victoria Sponge as it yields a moister cake. More recipes The recipe for a centuries-old Easter baba made with 96 eggs The baba is often served at Easter in Poland, with the most extraordinary version – the muslin baba – made from a rich dough of flour, yeast, butter and quite a lot of egg yolks. A Korean feast that honours Buddha's birth Every year, millions of people celebrate the founder of Buddhism's birth by enjoying free meals at temples. A time-honoured guacamole lookalike Known in Mexico as "fake guacamole", guacachile is a silky, delicious sauce made with just four ingredients – not including avocados. Can diners tell the difference? Greece's tasty 'Blue Zone' path to longevity In The Ikaria Way, Greek American chef Diane Kochilas offers a roadmap for people who want to incorporate aspects of the Mediterranean island's "Blue Zone" diet into their lives. The hearty Welsh stew for St David's Day The annual celebration to honour the patron Saint of Wales includes cawl, an easy and succulent lamb stew with potatoes and vegetables. A new Indian whisky championed by a king Godawan whisky was created to help protect a critically endangered bird. It’s also championed by the king of the Jaisalmer royal family. A Chinese dumpling with an unexpected twist Surprising Super Bowl snacks with global flair A West African ode to a fiery chicken dish Is this curry's lighter cousin? A warming sweet for cold-flu season More World's Table The Italian city where life is sweetest in winter From Carnival parades and an annual chocolate festival to vermouth rituals and winter-only dishes, February brings Turin's food culture and traditions into sharp focus. The mysterious football drink taking Ireland by storm Once a local secret in Ireland’s north-west, Football Special is now a non-alcoholic hit across the country - and only two people know its recipe. The biggest all-you-can-eat buffet in the world France's highest-grossing restaurant isn't a Michelin-starred bistro or a Parisian institution, but an all-you-can-eat buffet on the outskirts of Narbonne. The secret Japanese snack bars hidden in plain sight There are some 100,000 snack bars across Japan, but until recent years, these joyful hangouts have escaped the notice of travellers. Turkey's caffeine-free coffee alternative For as long as anyone can remember, residents in Gaziantep have been harvesting wild pistachios to make a unique, nutty brew that doubles as a home remedy. The Mexican beer you can only buy at Christmas Mexico is the world's largest exporter of beers. But one of its most beloved brews, Noche Buena, is only available for just a few weeks each year. Sorry, France, the world's best bubbly is British Over the past decade, international chefs have swept French culinary competitions with unprecedented frequency. Why travellers keep queueing for viral food Experts explain how FOMO, social proof and performance culture have turned ordinary snacks into global must-queue experiences. The controversial snack that fuels Norwegian trips Kvikk Lunsj has fuelled outdoor adventures for generations. So, what makes Norway's 'trip chocolate' so controversial? Copyright 2026 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.
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[SOURCE: https://www.fast.ai/posts/2024-11-07-solveit.html] \| [TOKENS: 1124]
A New Chapter for fast.ai: How To Solve It With Code Jeremy Howard November 7, 2024 On this page Update from Jeremy 11 months later: This was so popular it sold out within 24 hours of me posting this. We’ve got a page with hundreds of comments from the alums. Since it went so well, we’ve spent this year building on it to create a full scalable platform, and we’re doing a new course with it starting Nov 3 2025. To avoid missing out, please sign up as soon as you can here: solve.it.com. Eight years ago, Rachel Thomas and I launched fast.ai with a mission to democratize artificial intelligence. We believed AI would become one of the most significant technologies in history, and, if widely distributed, felt like it could empower people all around the world to create anything they could imagine. But if only a small elite understood it, we worried it could lead to inequality. Today, we’re excited to announce that fast.ai is joining Answer.AI, marking a new phase in making AI accessible to everyone. And, we’re announcing a new beta course, How To Solve It With Code—a new kind of “AI-first” educational experience. If you join this course, you’ll be part of the first cohort to experiment with this new approach. The AI Landscape Has Changed When we started fast.ai, making AI accessible meant teaching people to train their own models. That worked—fast.ai’s courses have helped create many of today’s top AI practitioners. But the landscape has changed dramatically. Just as the iPhone made the internet accessible without understanding TCP/IP, large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini have made AI accessible without understanding model training. Yet something interesting happens when people start using AI for coding. At first, it feels magical—like Keanu Reeves in The Matrix suddenly knowing kung fu. You can create an app in 15 minutes that would have taken weeks before. But then reality hits: you need to make changes, add features, fix bugs. The magic starts to fade, and many hit a wall they can’t get past. A New Type of Course At fast.ai we have not released a new course in over two years. That’s because we wanted to build something far more bold and different to any course created before—something designed from the ground up to use modern AI techniques deeply integrated into the whole learning process. This is where our new course, “How to Solve It with Code,” comes in. It’s not just another course—it’s a completely new way of thinking about how humans and AI can work together. We call it Dialog Engineering. Here’s how it works: Instead of asking AI to generate hundreds of lines of code at once, you work together in small steps. You might write a line or two, then have the AI suggest the next piece. This creates a powerful feedback loop where each step makes both you and the AI smarter. The code you create is cleaner, more maintainable, and more powerful than what either human or AI could create alone. Introducing solveit To support this approach, we’ve built a new platform called solveit. It’s the first tool specifically designed for Dialog Engineering, embedding AI deeply into the development process. We’ve been using it internally at Answer.AI for months, achieving extraordinary results with a small team (as you can see from our many breakthroughs this year. This isn’t just theory—we’re using these exact techniques to build Answer.AI itself. When people ask how we accomplish so much with such a small team, this is the answer. It’s not about being genius programmers; it’s about having the right process for combining human and AI capabilities. Beyond Just Coding While many think of AI coding tools as just for building apps, Dialog Engineering can solve all kinds of problems. Whether you’re analyzing thousands of PDFs for data journalism, automating weekly reports, or building a complex web application, the approach is the same: break down the problem, solve it step by step with AI as your partner, and build something you truly understand. Join the First Cohort The course starts November 26th, led by a world-class team including myself, Johno Whitaker, and Audrey Roy Greenfeld. You’ll learn: This first cohort will form a special community, just as our first fast.ai cohort did years ago. Together, we’ll explore and expand the possibilities of human-AI collaboration. Is This For You? This course is ideal if you’ve used AI for coding but want to go beyond simple prompts. You don’t need to be an experienced programmer, but you should have basic familiarity with coding concepts like loops and variables. However, this isn’t for you if you believe AI can already replace programmers entirely. Our goal isn’t to have AI write all our code—it’s to create a powerful partnership between human understanding and AI capabilities. View the course now → We’re at the beginning of a new era in programming, where the question isn’t whether to use AI, but how to use it effectively. Join us in shaping this future, where humans and AI work together to solve problems in ways neither could achieve alone. …oh and by the way… We wrote this blog post using dialog engineering using solveit! First, my friend Hamel interviewed me to generate the material for this post, and then we used that transcript as the context to start a dialog where solveit, Hamel, and I iterated to write the post together. Here’s the video we used:
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[SOURCE: https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2026/02/why-final-fantasy-is-now-targeting-pc-as-its-lead-platform/#comments] \| [TOKENS: 1516]
Now do Dragon Quest Why Final Fantasy is now targeting PC as its “lead platform” Director says PC is the “foundation” when targeting “high-end environments first.” Kyle Orland – Feb 20, 2026 12:26 pm \| 48 This screenshot of a "Cloud in a dress" mod is being used in place of some other Final Fantasy PC mods that are way too inappropriate for publication on Ars. Credit: Nexus Mods This screenshot of a "Cloud in a dress" mod is being used in place of some other Final Fantasy PC mods that are way too inappropriate for publication on Ars. Credit: Nexus Mods Text settings Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only Learn more Minimize to nav For a long time now, PC gamers have been used to the Final Fantasy series treating their platform as somewhat secondary to the game’s core console versions. There are some signs that may be starting to change, though, as director Naoki Hamaguchi has confirmed that the PC is now the “lead platform” for development of the Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy. In a recent interview with Automaton, Hamaguchi clarified that the team takes the relatively common practice of creating visual assets for its multiplatform games by targeting “high-end environments first,” then performing a “reduction” for less powerful platforms. These days, that means “our 3D assets are created at the highest quality level based on PC as the foundation,” he said. Players have already noticed this graphical difference in the PC version of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Hamaguchi said, and “our philosophy will not change for the third installment.” While PC gaming is only “gradually expanding in Japan,” Hamaguchi said the rapid growth in international PC gamers has led the company to “develop assets with the broad PC market in mind.” The PC versions of recent Final Fantasy VII Remake games have sold well on Steam and the Epic Games Store, he added. It’s unclear if that means PC gamers will have to wait longer than console owners for future Final Fantasy games. The first Final Fantasy VII Remake didn’t hit PCs until 19 months after the PlayStation 4 version, and Rebirth was first available on PC 11 months after its PS5 launch. Elsewhere in the franchise, the PC versions of both Final Fantasy XVI and Final Fantasy XV didn’t hit until over a year after their console counterparts. “Mid-range platforms” Elsewhere in the interview, Hamaguchi went into some detail about what he sees as the relative deficiencies of various game consoles. Compared to a high-end PC, for instance, Hamaguchi said he considers the PS5 and PS5 Pro “mid-range platforms” that require texture sizes, mesh loads, and polygon counts that are 1.5 to 3 times lower than the PC versions. Further down the line, the Steam Deck operates “at less than half the PS5’s baseline,” Hamaguchi said. Further considerations are necessary for other consoles. On the PS4, Switch 2, and Xbox Series S, for instance, Hamaguchi said the relative limitations of the CPU generally require limiting graphics to 30 fps (rather than the 60 fps on high-end platforms), as well as reducing the number of NPCs that can appear in a town when compared to higher-end systems. Hamaguchi also specifically called out the memory limitations on the Xbox Series S, which requires specific optimizations compared to the “ample memory” available on the Switch 2. Development of the third part of the Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy is “progressing very smoothly,” Hamaguchi said, and the team is currently “almost exactly on schedule” with planned development milestones. Kyle Orland Senior Gaming Editor Kyle Orland Senior Gaming Editor Kyle Orland has been the Senior Gaming Editor at Ars Technica since 2012, writing primarily about the business, tech, and culture behind video games. He has journalism and computer science degrees from University of Maryland. He once wrote a whole book about Minesweeper. 48 Comments Why Final Fantasy is now targeting PC as its “lead platform” Director says PC is the “foundation” when targeting “high-end environments first.” For a long time now, PC gamers have been used to the Final Fantasy series treating their platform as somewhat secondary to the game’s core console versions. There are some signs that may be starting to change, though, as director Naoki Hamaguchi has confirmed that the PC is now the “lead platform” for development of the Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy. In a recent interview with Automaton, Hamaguchi clarified that the team takes the relatively common practice of creating visual assets for its multiplatform games by targeting “high-end environments first,” then performing a “reduction” for less powerful platforms. These days, that means “our 3D assets are created at the highest quality level based on PC as the foundation,” he said. Players have already noticed this graphical difference in the PC version of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Hamaguchi said, and “our philosophy will not change for the third installment.” While PC gaming is only “gradually expanding in Japan,” Hamaguchi said the rapid growth in international PC gamers has led the company to “develop assets with the broad PC market in mind.” The PC versions of recent Final Fantasy VII Remake games have sold well on Steam and the Epic Games Store, he added. It’s unclear if that means PC gamers will have to wait longer than console owners for future Final Fantasy games. The first Final Fantasy VII Remake didn’t hit PCs until 19 months after the PlayStation 4 version, and Rebirth was first available on PC 11 months after its PS5 launch. Elsewhere in the franchise, the PC versions of both Final Fantasy XVI and Final Fantasy XV didn’t hit until over a year after their console counterparts. “Mid-range platforms” Elsewhere in the interview, Hamaguchi went into some detail about what he sees as the relative deficiencies of various game consoles. Compared to a high-end PC, for instance, Hamaguchi said he considers the PS5 and PS5 Pro “mid-range platforms” that require texture sizes, mesh loads, and polygon counts that are 1.5 to 3 times lower than the PC versions. Further down the line, the Steam Deck operates “at less than half the PS5’s baseline,” Hamaguchi said. Further considerations are necessary for other consoles. On the PS4, Switch 2, and Xbox Series S, for instance, Hamaguchi said the relative limitations of the CPU generally require limiting graphics to 30 fps (rather than the 60 fps on high-end platforms), as well as reducing the number of NPCs that can appear in a town when compared to higher-end systems. Hamaguchi also specifically called out the memory limitations on the Xbox Series S, which requires specific optimizations compared to the “ample memory” available on the Switch 2. Development of the third part of the Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy is “progressing very smoothly,” Hamaguchi said, and the team is currently “almost exactly on schedule” with planned development milestones. Ars Technica has been separating the signal from the noise for over 25 years. With our unique combination of technical savvy and wide-ranging interest in the technological arts and sciences, Ars is the trusted source in a sea of information. After all, you don’t need to know everything, only what’s important.
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[SOURCE: https://www.bbc.com/travel/cultural-experiences] \| [TOKENS: 3824]
Culture & ExperiencesThe most anticipated museum openings of 2026From a futuristic sci-fi attraction in Los Angeles to a dramatic monument to a millennia-old Aboriginal civilisation, these long-awaited museums are worth travelling for.How to enjoy a weekend in Hong KongModel Angelababy has called Hong Kong home since she was a young girl. Here are her top picks, from fave spots to shop on Hollywood Road to where to watch fireworks at Lunar New Year.Fifty courses, no leftovers: Inside Italy's sacred Panarda feastEach year in the village of Villavallelonga, friends and family gather to honour a local saint with a 50-course meal where no forkful goes uneaten – just as they have for centuries.The Italian city where life is sweetest in winterFrom Carnival parades and an annual chocolate festival to vermouth rituals and winter-only dishes, February brings Turin's food culture and traditions into sharp focus.Seven wellness traditions to borrow this yearFrom Indonesia's herbal tonics to Japan's towel rubdowns, these wellness traditions and habits from across the globe can invigorate your new year.Inside Italy's forgotten art townSicily's forgotten town of Gibellina was envisioned as an art utopia. Four decades later, it's painting a new future as Italy's first Capital of Contemporary Art.Europe's new steamy, semi-nude wellness trendAs saunas gain global popularity, a hypnotic offshoot involving theatre, music and towel-twirling known as "Aufguss" is attracting wellness-seekers across the world.WatchHow a daring experiment sparked a global skydiving obsessionWe trace skydiving's origins and reveal the pivotal innovations that shaped today's parachute culture.Culture & ExperiencesKöttbullar: The secret behind the iconic Swedish meatballsIkea’s meatballs turn 40. We asked Swedes how Köttbullar became a global phenomenon.Culture & ExperiencesThe machine that captured a million memoriesOnce a curiosity, photo booths are having a surprising revival as an escape from our digital world.Culture & ExperiencesInside the Amazon's sacred food rituals few outsiders seeCan the Amazon’s gastronomic wisdom reshape our bond with nature and save our future?Culture & ExperiencesThe truth behind Pennsylvania DutchTesting his skills, a German speaker explores an Amish tongue that feels familiar yet strangely distant.Culture & ExperiencesMeet the locals who paddle this polluted New York canalThe Gowanus Canal, a once hazardous waterway, owes much of its transformation to this canoe club. Culture & ExperiencesThe woman who checked in and never checked outA mysterious 1892 death at a California hotel sparked ghost stories that still intrigue visitors today.Culture & ExperiencesHow giant murals are transforming cities worldwideArtist Dasic Fernández turns grey streets in New York, Santiago and Diriyah into colourful 3D landscapes.Culture & ExperiencesThe UK's last Victorian steam mill in operationPresenter Jeremy Paxman visits the last Victorian steam-powered weaving mill in Britain.Culture & ExperiencesThe sunken secrets of Roman pleasure palacesEmperor Claudius’ sunken palace reveals dark secrets of the Romans' coastal decadence.Culture & ExperiencesThe secret behind Colombia's blender crazeA colourful journey through fruit markets and forests reveals a nation’s most beloved kitchen ritual.Culture & ExperiencesThe truth behind 70 years of wild Disneyland mythsWhy are there so many conspiracies around the man and the park? Two of them are actually true.Culture & ExperiencesExploring the desert secrets of a lost Nabataean worldAn art critic uncovers mysteries from this ancient culture within Saudi Arabia's sandy landscape.Culture & ExperiencesThe little-known truth behind a Christmas taleScience says that Santa must have a crew of female reindeer. So why do we think Rudolph the reindeer is a boy?Culture & ExperiencesExploring Japan's ancient tradition of lacquerwareFind out how Japan's renowned Wajima-nuri lacquerware is crafted through more than 100 intricate steps.Culture & ExperiencesWhy nudity is a rule in Japan's traditional onsensJapan's popular hot spring baths come with a unique requirement: full nudity for anyone entering the onsen.Culture & ExperiencesHolocaust survivor shares story of journey to AuschwitzIn a disarmingly frank interview, Holocaust survivor Freddie Knoller recounts his story of survival.Culture & ExperiencesWhy Swedes won't talk about wealthIn Sweden, a deep-rooted cultural code called Jantelagen stops many from talking about their wealth.Culture & ExperiencesThe Irish folk history of Jack-O'-LanternsLong before pumpkins became a sign of Halloween, people carved faces into turnips to ward off evil spirits.Culture & ExperiencesThis is not black magic: The real voodoo of New OrleansVoodoo, often portrayed as something to be feared, is having a renaissance in New Orleans.Culture & ExperiencesWell WorldInside the town that invented the spaLong before wellness became a global industry, a small town in eastern Belgium shaped how Europeans thought about health, leisure and water.See moreHow rural Britain is reinventing wellnessBall of a time: The sporty trend reshaping travelThe rise of ultra-sport holidaysInside Bangkok's life-changing 'death cafe'The unstoppable rise of digital detox retreatsRediscovering AmericaA US island with no cars and 600 horsesIn the midst of "the car capital of the world", there's a serene vehicle-free island home to 600 people and a once-upon-a-time way of life.How Europe's oldest language ended up on US treesThe US' Basque immigrants turned to sheepherding in order to survive. Today, their legacy can be found in unique wooden tree carvings they left throughout the American West.Thoughtful travelThe controversial airport in Peru's Sacred ValleyMachu Picchu has always been hard to reach, but a new airport will soon change that and bring 200% more visitors to the area – and some area residents aren't happy about it.Is it time to retire terms like 'Venice of the East'?From "Venice of the East" to "lost civilisations", colonial-era travel metaphors still shape how some see non-Western places. But that language deserves a rethink.How Trump is disrupting global travelSome travellers are now second-guessing whether it's safe to visit destinations the US has recently threatened.The Caribbean isle where locals can't access the beachJamaica is the quintessential Caribbean beach destination, famous for its white sand and gin-coloured waters. But less than 1% of the island's coastline is accessible to residents.How a single meme can derail your tripSocial media posts deemed dangerous or offensive can increasingly lead to visa denial or online backlash. Here's what global travellers need to know.The SpeciaList : Global guides from local expertsEight of New Orleans' best live music venuesSinger-songwriter Andrew Duhon shares the best live music in his hometown New Orleans, from acoustic sets at The Tigermen Den to candlelit piano acts at Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar.An aurora chaser's guide to the Northern LightsExperts say 2026 will be a peak year for aurora spotting. Photographer Wil Cheung has seen the borealis more than 400 times and offers his tips on how to witness them yourself.How to spend a ski break in Cortina d'AmpezzoAs the world turns its gaze to Italy's Cortina d'Ampezzo - one of the hosts of the 2026 Winter Olympics - ski champion Kristian Ghedina shares his hometown picks.An ironwoman's guide to Finland's best icy plungesElina Mäkinen was the first Finnish woman to complete the Ice Mile. Here are her top ice bathing experiences, from plunges under the Northern Lights to paying homage to Arctic gods.More culture and experiences10 Jan 2026A rare look at one of Earth's most remote placesFrozen in for nine months a year and located 800km from the next town, the Arctic village of Ittoqqortoormiit offers a fascinating glimpse at life at the edge of the world.10 Jan 202630 Dec 2025A first-timer's guide to MexicoA guidebook writer's itinerary for what to eat, see and experience across Mexico on your first visit.30 Dec 202512 Dec 2025'Wish you were here': The enduring joy of postcardsTravellers share why the humble postcard remains one of the most meaningful gifts someone can receive.12 Dec 202510 Dec 2025Why travellers love Japan's convenience store socksHow did a simple pair of striped socks turn into a tourist obsession?10 Dec 20259 Dec 2025Meaningful Christmas rituals around the worldThese seven global traditions show a different side to the season - one that's more communal, reflective and far less materialistic.9 Dec 20252 Dec 2025Seven travel trends that will define 2026Data suggests that 2026 will be the year of quiet escapes, algorithm-shaped itineraries, ultra-personalised retreats and a return to slower, more intentional travel.2 Dec 202519 Nov 2025Inside the city where cats rule the streetsCats are woven into the fabric of Istanbul, where they nap in doorways, wander through mosques and charm tourists.19 Nov 202518 Nov 2025The European region with a 'split personality'Straddling Italy and Austria, the Dolomite Mountains blend three languages, two identities and one breathtaking landscape – but their delicate balance is being tested18 Nov 202517 Nov 2025In search of Europe's best Christmas marketAfter years of sweating through summer festivities in Australia, one family swapped sunscreen for snow – and found festive bliss in an unexpected European capital.17 Nov 2025... Culture & Experiences The most anticipated museum openings of 2026 From a futuristic sci-fi attraction in Los Angeles to a dramatic monument to a millennia-old Aboriginal civilisation, these long-awaited museums are worth travelling for. How to enjoy a weekend in Hong Kong Model Angelababy has called Hong Kong home since she was a young girl. Here are her top picks, from fave spots to shop on Hollywood Road to where to watch fireworks at Lunar New Year. Fifty courses, no leftovers: Inside Italy's sacred Panarda feast Each year in the village of Villavallelonga, friends and family gather to honour a local saint with a 50-course meal where no forkful goes uneaten – just as they have for centuries. The Italian city where life is sweetest in winter From Carnival parades and an annual chocolate festival to vermouth rituals and winter-only dishes, February brings Turin's food culture and traditions into sharp focus. Seven wellness traditions to borrow this year From Indonesia's herbal tonics to Japan's towel rubdowns, these wellness traditions and habits from across the globe can invigorate your new year. Inside Italy's forgotten art town Sicily's forgotten town of Gibellina was envisioned as an art utopia. Four decades later, it's painting a new future as Italy's first Capital of Contemporary Art. Europe's new steamy, semi-nude wellness trend As saunas gain global popularity, a hypnotic offshoot involving theatre, music and towel-twirling known as "Aufguss" is attracting wellness-seekers across the world. Watch How a daring experiment sparked a global skydiving obsession We trace skydiving's origins and reveal the pivotal innovations that shaped today's parachute culture. Köttbullar: The secret behind the iconic Swedish meatballs Ikea’s meatballs turn 40. We asked Swedes how Köttbullar became a global phenomenon. The machine that captured a million memories Once a curiosity, photo booths are having a surprising revival as an escape from our digital world. Inside the Amazon's sacred food rituals few outsiders see Can the Amazon’s gastronomic wisdom reshape our bond with nature and save our future? The truth behind Pennsylvania Dutch Testing his skills, a German speaker explores an Amish tongue that feels familiar yet strangely distant. Meet the locals who paddle this polluted New York canal The Gowanus Canal, a once hazardous waterway, owes much of its transformation to this canoe club. The woman who checked in and never checked out A mysterious 1892 death at a California hotel sparked ghost stories that still intrigue visitors today. How giant murals are transforming cities worldwide Artist Dasic Fernández turns grey streets in New York, Santiago and Diriyah into colourful 3D landscapes. The UK's last Victorian steam mill in operation Presenter Jeremy Paxman visits the last Victorian steam-powered weaving mill in Britain. The sunken secrets of Roman pleasure palaces Emperor Claudius’ sunken palace reveals dark secrets of the Romans' coastal decadence. The secret behind Colombia's blender craze A colourful journey through fruit markets and forests reveals a nation’s most beloved kitchen ritual. The truth behind 70 years of wild Disneyland myths Why are there so many conspiracies around the man and the park? Two of them are actually true. Exploring the desert secrets of a lost Nabataean world An art critic uncovers mysteries from this ancient culture within Saudi Arabia's sandy landscape. The little-known truth behind a Christmas tale Science says that Santa must have a crew of female reindeer. So why do we think Rudolph the reindeer is a boy? Exploring Japan's ancient tradition of lacquerware Find out how Japan's renowned Wajima-nuri lacquerware is crafted through more than 100 intricate steps. Why nudity is a rule in Japan's traditional onsens Japan's popular hot spring baths come with a unique requirement: full nudity for anyone entering the onsen. Holocaust survivor shares story of journey to Auschwitz In a disarmingly frank interview, Holocaust survivor Freddie Knoller recounts his story of survival. Why Swedes won't talk about wealth In Sweden, a deep-rooted cultural code called Jantelagen stops many from talking about their wealth. The Irish folk history of Jack-O'-Lanterns Long before pumpkins became a sign of Halloween, people carved faces into turnips to ward off evil spirits. This is not black magic: The real voodoo of New Orleans Voodoo, often portrayed as something to be feared, is having a renaissance in New Orleans. Well World Inside the town that invented the spa How rural Britain is reinventing wellness Ball of a time: The sporty trend reshaping travel The rise of ultra-sport holidays Inside Bangkok's life-changing 'death cafe' The unstoppable rise of digital detox retreats Rediscovering America A US island with no cars and 600 horses In the midst of "the car capital of the world", there's a serene vehicle-free island home to 600 people and a once-upon-a-time way of life. How Europe's oldest language ended up on US trees The US' Basque immigrants turned to sheepherding in order to survive. Today, their legacy can be found in unique wooden tree carvings they left throughout the American West. Thoughtful travel The controversial airport in Peru's Sacred Valley Machu Picchu has always been hard to reach, but a new airport will soon change that and bring 200% more visitors to the area – and some area residents aren't happy about it. Is it time to retire terms like 'Venice of the East'? From "Venice of the East" to "lost civilisations", colonial-era travel metaphors still shape how some see non-Western places. But that language deserves a rethink. How Trump is disrupting global travel Some travellers are now second-guessing whether it's safe to visit destinations the US has recently threatened. The Caribbean isle where locals can't access the beach Jamaica is the quintessential Caribbean beach destination, famous for its white sand and gin-coloured waters. But less than 1% of the island's coastline is accessible to residents. How a single meme can derail your trip Social media posts deemed dangerous or offensive can increasingly lead to visa denial or online backlash. Here's what global travellers need to know. The SpeciaList : Global guides from local experts Eight of New Orleans' best live music venues Singer-songwriter Andrew Duhon shares the best live music in his hometown New Orleans, from acoustic sets at The Tigermen Den to candlelit piano acts at Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar. An aurora chaser's guide to the Northern Lights Experts say 2026 will be a peak year for aurora spotting. Photographer Wil Cheung has seen the borealis more than 400 times and offers his tips on how to witness them yourself. How to spend a ski break in Cortina d'Ampezzo As the world turns its gaze to Italy's Cortina d'Ampezzo - one of the hosts of the 2026 Winter Olympics - ski champion Kristian Ghedina shares his hometown picks. An ironwoman's guide to Finland's best icy plunges Elina Mäkinen was the first Finnish woman to complete the Ice Mile. Here are her top ice bathing experiences, from plunges under the Northern Lights to paying homage to Arctic gods. More culture and experiences A rare look at one of Earth's most remote places Frozen in for nine months a year and located 800km from the next town, the Arctic village of Ittoqqortoormiit offers a fascinating glimpse at life at the edge of the world. A first-timer's guide to Mexico A guidebook writer's itinerary for what to eat, see and experience across Mexico on your first visit. 'Wish you were here': The enduring joy of postcards Travellers share why the humble postcard remains one of the most meaningful gifts someone can receive. Why travellers love Japan's convenience store socks How did a simple pair of striped socks turn into a tourist obsession? Meaningful Christmas rituals around the world These seven global traditions show a different side to the season - one that's more communal, reflective and far less materialistic. Seven travel trends that will define 2026 Data suggests that 2026 will be the year of quiet escapes, algorithm-shaped itineraries, ultra-personalised retreats and a return to slower, more intentional travel. Inside the city where cats rule the streets Cats are woven into the fabric of Istanbul, where they nap in doorways, wander through mosques and charm tourists. The European region with a 'split personality' Straddling Italy and Austria, the Dolomite Mountains blend three languages, two identities and one breathtaking landscape – but their delicate balance is being tested In search of Europe's best Christmas market After years of sweating through summer festivities in Australia, one family swapped sunscreen for snow – and found festive bliss in an unexpected European capital. Copyright 2026 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.
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[SOURCE: https://www.bbc.com/travel/adventures] \| [TOKENS: 3621]
AdventuresThe best places to elope, according to expertsOnce furtive affairs, elopements now happen in spectacular destinations and have become an increasingly popular way for couples to embark on the adventure of marriage.See more The most anticipated hotel openings of 2026From luxury island villas in the Maldives to an off-grid Australian resort, these are the six new property openings we're most excited about.The tiny slice of 'America' in EnglandInspired by the US's revolutionary spirit, a formerly "lawless" part of Hastings modelled itself after the former British colony across the pond.The 109km trail opening up the Canadian RockiesAway from Banff and Jasper national parks, a new rail trail is opening up a previously inaccessible corner of Canada and teaching travellers about the nation's past.Seven new Bridgerton filming locations you can visitBridgerton is back, and from London palaces to Bath ballrooms, here are some of the best places to experience Regency-era England.Colorado's wildest winter sportEqual parts rodeo and ski race, skijoring is drawing winter visitors into Colorado's ranching towns, offering a cheaper, wilder alternative to the state's famous slopes.Five US national parks only reached by sea or skyRoad trips to national parks are a classic US travel experience. But for truly "wild" landscapes, venture to these remote protected lands you can only reach via boat or seaplane.WatchQasr al-Farid: The Lonely Castle of the ancient NabateansThe castle located in the Nabatean civilisation's second city, Hegra, has only recently opened up to the public.AdventuresReviving Madeira's stunning walking pathsHow tourism is pushing locals to walk that delicate line between preserving and boosting economic growth.AdventuresMexico revives a 3,000-year-old ball gameIn Mexico, a group of athletes are on a mission to revive an ancient sporting tradition.AdventuresThe first person to cycle the globe on a penny-farthingIn 1886, Thomas Stevens became the first person to travel across the globe on a bicycle.AdventuresAround the world in 20 days... in a balloonIn March 1999, Brian Jones and Bertrand Piccard made the first non-stop, round-the-world flight in a balloon.AdventuresIndia's ancient battlefield artSanatan Shastar Vidya is an ancient battlefield art, which has existed in northern India for thousands of years.AdventuresA dangerous dive into a medieval mysteryThree divers have lost their lives trying to discover the origin of this mysterious spring.AdventureThe Open RoadRoad-tripping Canada's forgotten coastlineA sweeping new highway – nearly 25 years and C$1bn in the making – is reshaping life in Newfoundland and Labrador and opening up Canada's iceberg coast.See moreSet OutMountain biking on the top of the world in NepalA new adrenaline-fuelled experience is allowing travellers to see the Himalayas in a new way – and helping local Sherpa residents in the process.A 65km hike into Norway's vanishing rural pastThe Stølstruta offers hikers a responsible, respectful way to witness a pastoral tradition that has disappeared almost everywhere else in Europe.Italy's new nun-mapped pilgrim trailPaddling the dramatic 'Grand Canyon of Canada'Brazil's astonishing, lagoon-filled desertWhy Indigenous tourism is booming in USThe European region with a 'split personality'In PicturesA rare look at one of Earth's most remote placesFrozen in for nine months a year and located 800km from the next town, the Arctic village of Ittoqqortoormiit offers a fascinating glimpse at life at the edge of the world.Green GetawaysThe remote village drawing stargazers from around the worldIn the Moon-like landscape of Hanle, the jet-black skies reveal otherworldly starry skies that lure travellers from far and wide. But can locals preserve the natural darkness?The US neighbourhood where cars are bannedIn Tempe, Arizona, Culdesac is reimagining US cities for people, not cars – and inviting travellers to explore its plazas, paseos and Mediterranean-inspired design.A day in Europe's most relaxed capital cityIn Oslo's Vulkan district, sustainability, style and everyday ease come together in a way that's making the Norwegian capital feel like Europe's most liveable city break.Monaco's new neighbourhood rising out of the seaBuilt on reclaimed land, Monaco's new Mareterra district blends cutting-edge sustainability with scenic sea views, offering a fresh way to explore the principality.World's TableWhy Atlanta's culinary scene is getting food lovers excitedThe city's food scene is redefining southern hospitality with bold and unpretentious global flavours.World's TableSouth African Braai: What it is and why you should try itThe Braai tradition in South Africa is more than just a BBQ, it's a phenomenon that ties the nation together.World's TableThe evolution of London's oldest 'ocakbaşı' restaurantMangal 2, a fixture on the London food scene, is redefining Turkish cuisine in a city constantly evolving.World's TableWorld's first 'zero-waste' restaurant without a single binAs part of its mission, Silo uses a nose to tail and root to tip approach to cooking out of respect for nature.World's TableInto the wild: 'Everyman's right' to forage in FinlandForaging is one of Finland's favourite hobbies and an essential part of the culture.World's TableThe mixologist serving up Black History, one drink at a timeDeniseea Taylor is a mixologist who teaches what she jokingly calls 'drunk Black History'.World's TableBritish v American scones: Is there a difference?US baker and chef Nancy Silverton explains the difference between British and American scones.World's TableFire, smoke, and ash are all ingredients in Bottura's BBQInside the kitchen of Italian chef Massimo Bottura's new restaurant Al Gatto Verde.World's TableMastic artichokes: The unique dish of 'Turkey's Tuscany'Mastic artichokes are a special variety beloved in the Urla region of Turkey.World's TableDept of Culture, a Nigerian chef takes over New York CityShortlisted for the prestigious James Beard Award, Dept of Culture only has one table, and it's sold out.World's TableThe paternity of an iconic Roman pasta is being challengedAn article claiming the American paternity of pasta carbonara caused an uproar. But what is a real carbonara?World's TableThe French peasant dish gone Michelin starHow did this humble Mediterranean dish make it to Michelin-star restaurants in France?World's TableA 2,200-year-old mystery hidden in a pieFrom an absurd papal edict to the horrors of Nazism: the mysterious origin of a pie.World's TableHow to make the perfect Victoria Sponge cakeClaire Ptak uses brown sugar instead of white in her Victoria Sponge as it yields a moister cake.World's TableMore adventures9 Feb 2026The controversial airport in Peru's Sacred ValleyMachu Picchu has always been hard to reach, but a new airport will soon change that and bring 200% more visitors to the area – and some area residents aren't happy about it.9 Feb 202611 Jan 2026The last von Trapp is 86 - and still runs a hotelThe last living von Trapp child still helps run the family resort in the mountains of New England – where fans of The Sound of Music can explore a little slice of Austria.11 Jan 202619 Dec 2025The woman who gave her life to save the gorillasDian Fossey transformed our view of mountain gorillas while fighting to save them. But she was also a flawed obsessive whose murder remains a mystery to this day.19 Dec 202516 Dec 2025The Swiss ski resort reinventing winterAs warming winters threaten the future of snow, Laax has launched some of Switzerland's most ambitious sustainability projects, from on-demand gondolas to CO2-neutral lifts.16 Dec 20254 Dec 2025A stylist's guide to New York City shoppingShe styles A-list fashionistas but really loves shopping for friends and family. Just in time for the holidays, here are Erin Walsh's top shops in her beloved hometown of NYC.4 Dec 20252 Dec 2025Seven travel trends that will define 2026Data suggests that 2026 will be the year of quiet escapes, algorithm-shaped itineraries, ultra-personalised retreats and a return to slower, more intentional travel.2 Dec 202530 Nov 2025Inside Bhutan's long-secluded 'hidden paradise'A rare look inside Haa Valley – one of the Himalayas' best-kept secrets.30 Nov 202528 Nov 2025The controversial snack that fuels Norwegian tripsKvikk Lunsj has fuelled outdoor adventures for generations. So, what makes Norway's 'trip chocolate' so controversial?28 Nov 202527 Nov 2025A stunning car-free village reached by cable carThroughout history, this medieval hamlet has remained relatively secluded from the outside world. But now, the world's steepest cable car whisks travellers to the 430-person village.27 Nov 2025... Adventures The best places to elope, according to experts The most anticipated hotel openings of 2026 From luxury island villas in the Maldives to an off-grid Australian resort, these are the six new property openings we're most excited about. The tiny slice of 'America' in England Inspired by the US's revolutionary spirit, a formerly "lawless" part of Hastings modelled itself after the former British colony across the pond. The 109km trail opening up the Canadian Rockies Away from Banff and Jasper national parks, a new rail trail is opening up a previously inaccessible corner of Canada and teaching travellers about the nation's past. Seven new Bridgerton filming locations you can visit Bridgerton is back, and from London palaces to Bath ballrooms, here are some of the best places to experience Regency-era England. Colorado's wildest winter sport Equal parts rodeo and ski race, skijoring is drawing winter visitors into Colorado's ranching towns, offering a cheaper, wilder alternative to the state's famous slopes. Five US national parks only reached by sea or sky Road trips to national parks are a classic US travel experience. But for truly "wild" landscapes, venture to these remote protected lands you can only reach via boat or seaplane. Watch Qasr al-Farid: The Lonely Castle of the ancient Nabateans The castle located in the Nabatean civilisation's second city, Hegra, has only recently opened up to the public. Reviving Madeira's stunning walking paths How tourism is pushing locals to walk that delicate line between preserving and boosting economic growth. Mexico revives a 3,000-year-old ball game In Mexico, a group of athletes are on a mission to revive an ancient sporting tradition. The first person to cycle the globe on a penny-farthing In 1886, Thomas Stevens became the first person to travel across the globe on a bicycle. Around the world in 20 days... in a balloon In March 1999, Brian Jones and Bertrand Piccard made the first non-stop, round-the-world flight in a balloon. India's ancient battlefield art Sanatan Shastar Vidya is an ancient battlefield art, which has existed in northern India for thousands of years. A dangerous dive into a medieval mystery Three divers have lost their lives trying to discover the origin of this mysterious spring. The Open Road Road-tripping Canada's forgotten coastline Set Out Mountain biking on the top of the world in Nepal A new adrenaline-fuelled experience is allowing travellers to see the Himalayas in a new way – and helping local Sherpa residents in the process. A 65km hike into Norway's vanishing rural past The Stølstruta offers hikers a responsible, respectful way to witness a pastoral tradition that has disappeared almost everywhere else in Europe. Italy's new nun-mapped pilgrim trail Paddling the dramatic 'Grand Canyon of Canada' Brazil's astonishing, lagoon-filled desert Why Indigenous tourism is booming in US The European region with a 'split personality' In Pictures A rare look at one of Earth's most remote places Frozen in for nine months a year and located 800km from the next town, the Arctic village of Ittoqqortoormiit offers a fascinating glimpse at life at the edge of the world. Green Getaways The remote village drawing stargazers from around the world In the Moon-like landscape of Hanle, the jet-black skies reveal otherworldly starry skies that lure travellers from far and wide. But can locals preserve the natural darkness? The US neighbourhood where cars are banned In Tempe, Arizona, Culdesac is reimagining US cities for people, not cars – and inviting travellers to explore its plazas, paseos and Mediterranean-inspired design. A day in Europe's most relaxed capital city In Oslo's Vulkan district, sustainability, style and everyday ease come together in a way that's making the Norwegian capital feel like Europe's most liveable city break. Monaco's new neighbourhood rising out of the sea Built on reclaimed land, Monaco's new Mareterra district blends cutting-edge sustainability with scenic sea views, offering a fresh way to explore the principality. World's Table Why Atlanta's culinary scene is getting food lovers excited The city's food scene is redefining southern hospitality with bold and unpretentious global flavours. South African Braai: What it is and why you should try it The Braai tradition in South Africa is more than just a BBQ, it's a phenomenon that ties the nation together. The evolution of London's oldest 'ocakbaşı' restaurant Mangal 2, a fixture on the London food scene, is redefining Turkish cuisine in a city constantly evolving. World's first 'zero-waste' restaurant without a single bin As part of its mission, Silo uses a nose to tail and root to tip approach to cooking out of respect for nature. Into the wild: 'Everyman's right' to forage in Finland Foraging is one of Finland's favourite hobbies and an essential part of the culture. The mixologist serving up Black History, one drink at a time Deniseea Taylor is a mixologist who teaches what she jokingly calls 'drunk Black History'. British v American scones: Is there a difference? US baker and chef Nancy Silverton explains the difference between British and American scones. Fire, smoke, and ash are all ingredients in Bottura's BBQ Inside the kitchen of Italian chef Massimo Bottura's new restaurant Al Gatto Verde. Mastic artichokes: The unique dish of 'Turkey's Tuscany' Mastic artichokes are a special variety beloved in the Urla region of Turkey. Dept of Culture, a Nigerian chef takes over New York City Shortlisted for the prestigious James Beard Award, Dept of Culture only has one table, and it's sold out. The paternity of an iconic Roman pasta is being challenged An article claiming the American paternity of pasta carbonara caused an uproar. But what is a real carbonara? The French peasant dish gone Michelin star How did this humble Mediterranean dish make it to Michelin-star restaurants in France? A 2,200-year-old mystery hidden in a pie From an absurd papal edict to the horrors of Nazism: the mysterious origin of a pie. How to make the perfect Victoria Sponge cake Claire Ptak uses brown sugar instead of white in her Victoria Sponge as it yields a moister cake. More adventures The controversial airport in Peru's Sacred Valley Machu Picchu has always been hard to reach, but a new airport will soon change that and bring 200% more visitors to the area – and some area residents aren't happy about it. The last von Trapp is 86 - and still runs a hotel The last living von Trapp child still helps run the family resort in the mountains of New England – where fans of The Sound of Music can explore a little slice of Austria. The woman who gave her life to save the gorillas Dian Fossey transformed our view of mountain gorillas while fighting to save them. But she was also a flawed obsessive whose murder remains a mystery to this day. The Swiss ski resort reinventing winter As warming winters threaten the future of snow, Laax has launched some of Switzerland's most ambitious sustainability projects, from on-demand gondolas to CO2-neutral lifts. A stylist's guide to New York City shopping She styles A-list fashionistas but really loves shopping for friends and family. Just in time for the holidays, here are Erin Walsh's top shops in her beloved hometown of NYC. Seven travel trends that will define 2026 Data suggests that 2026 will be the year of quiet escapes, algorithm-shaped itineraries, ultra-personalised retreats and a return to slower, more intentional travel. Inside Bhutan's long-secluded 'hidden paradise' A rare look inside Haa Valley – one of the Himalayas' best-kept secrets. The controversial snack that fuels Norwegian trips Kvikk Lunsj has fuelled outdoor adventures for generations. So, what makes Norway's 'trip chocolate' so controversial? A stunning car-free village reached by cable car Throughout history, this medieval hamlet has remained relatively secluded from the outside world. But now, the world's steepest cable car whisks travellers to the 430-person village. Copyright 2026 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.
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[SOURCE: https://www.bbc.com/travel/specialist] \| [TOKENS: 3538]
The SpeciaListEight of New Orleans' best live music venuesSinger-songwriter Andrew Duhon shares the best live music in his hometown New Orleans, from acoustic sets at The Tigermen Den to candlelit piano acts at Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar.5 Feb 2026TravelAn aurora chaser's guide to the Northern LightsExperts say 2026 will be a peak year for aurora spotting. Photographer Wil Cheung has seen the borealis more than 400 times and offers his tips on how to witness them yourself.24 Jan 2026TravelEight of New Orleans' best live music venuesSinger-songwriter Andrew Duhon shares the best live music in his hometown New Orleans, from acoustic sets at The Tigermen Den to candlelit piano acts at Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar.5 Feb 2026TravelAn aurora chaser's guide to the Northern LightsExperts say 2026 will be a peak year for aurora spotting. Photographer Wil Cheung has seen the borealis more than 400 times and offers his tips on how to witness them yourself.24 Jan 2026TravelHow to spend a ski break in Cortina d'AmpezzoAs the world turns its gaze to Italy's Cortina d'Ampezzo - one of the hosts of the 2026 Winter Olympics - ski champion Kristian Ghedina shares his hometown picks.17 Jan 2026TravelAn ironwoman's guide to Finland's best icy plungesElina Mäkinen was the first Finnish woman to complete the Ice Mile. Here are her top ice bathing experiences, from plunges under the Northern Lights to paying homage to Arctic gods.3 Jan 2026TravelHow to enjoy a weekend in Hong KongModel Angelababy has called Hong Kong home since she was a young girl. Here are her top picks, from fave spots to shop on Hollywood Road to where to watch fireworks at Lunar New Year.How to spend a ski break in Cortina d'AmpezzoAs the world turns its gaze to Italy's Cortina d'Ampezzo - one of the hosts of the 2026 Winter Olympics - ski champion Kristian Ghedina shares his hometown picks.17 Jan 2026TravelAn ironwoman's guide to Finland's best icy plungesElina Mäkinen was the first Finnish woman to complete the Ice Mile. Here are her top ice bathing experiences, from plunges under the Northern Lights to paying homage to Arctic gods.3 Jan 2026TravelA freeski champion's guide to WhistlerCanada's Mike Douglas stands at the vanguard of his hometown's ski culture. Here are his local favourites, from schussing down Peak to Creek to ahi poke at Sushi Village.How a Rockette spends Christmas in New York CityFor 100 years, The Rockettes have symbolised Christmas in New York City. Now, troupe member Brooklyn Bronson shares her tips on how to enjoy the city's holiday magic.A stylist's guide to New York City shoppingShe styles A-list fashionistas but really loves shopping for friends and family. Just in time for the holidays, here are Erin Walsh's top shops in her beloved hometown of NYC.Dublin pubs where the Guinness is perfectColm Dalton is on a mission to rate every Irish pub in the world. He shares the best of the best in Dublin – the birthplace of Guinness.The cocktails that capture the spirit of MiamiMiami's famous drinks stand out for their distinctively Latino flavour profile. Mixologist Giovanny Gutierrez shares his favourites.Where to find Boston's best clam chowderChef Jeremy Sewall has cooked around the world, but home in Boston, he's known for his clam chowder. Here are his top local picks, from Neptune Oyster to Yankee Lobster.WatchThe forgotten underground river that shaped ParisBuried beneath Paris since 1912, the ghost river Bièvre shaped the French capital in unexpected ways.The SpeciaListThe dark history of Santa's official hometownHow an Arctic town rose from WWII ruins to reinvent itself as Europe's Christmas capital.The SpeciaListThe Japanese secret to being calmer and happierIn the village of Magome, a 16th-century discipline leads to a sharper focus on the present moment.The SpeciaListThe alien lands once hidden beneath the oceanIn Kazakhstan, tiramisu-coloured canyons and otherworldly gorges are the keepers of our geological history.The SpeciaListThe Greek island holding the secret to a long lifeOn Ikaria, people on average lead longer, happier lives. A resident of the Greek 'island of immortals' shares her tips for longevity.The SpeciaListThe Nazi bunkers hidden underneath BerlinFrom Hitler's last shelter to an underground tunnel connecting eleven small houses in the German countryside.The SpeciaListThe most surprising sex-positive city in EuropeForget Berlin and Paris. This German city quietly champions free love in a way you wouldn't expect.The SpeciaListInside the hidden quarters of history's greatest seducerFrom an alchemical pharmacy to a shadowy dungeon, uncover the many secrets of Casanova's mysterious world.The SpeciaListRome's most stunning optical illusions revealedFrom the Malta Knights keyhole to a set of vanishing columns, discover the Eternal City's visual secrets.The SpeciaListSecret doors and a golden mansion: The Vanderbilts' New YorkAt their peak, the Vanderbilts were akin to royalty. Today, their estates conceal hidden treasures.The SpeciaListInside Usonia: A 1940s utopian town in the United StatesRonald Reisley, now aged 100, is the last original member of Usonia, a small visionary community in the woods.The SpeciaListExtraordinary Brutalist buildings in BerlinFrom the Mouse Bunker to the Embassy of Czechoslovakia, the Cold War buildings that changed history.The SpeciaListThe Finnish secret to happinessNordic etiquette: Learn how to sauna and ice plunge like a Finn and feel great afterwards.The SpeciaListThe mysterious origins of Chimaera's 2,500-year-old flamesOn Mount Chimaera, fire has been spitting out from rocks for over 2,500 years. Our local SpeciaList explains why.The SpeciaListTurkey's island of 400 ancient shipwrecksA dive into 3,500 years of underwater archeology, sunken cities and Lycian tombs with Prof Hakan Öniz.The SpeciaListWhy the secret to Icelandic happiness lies in their poolsHow did bathing become such an intrinsic part of Icelandic cultural identity?The SpeciaListMore from The SpeciaList8 Nov 2025Five of the best rooftop bars in ChicagoLocal award-winning sommelier Regine Rousseau loves rooftop bars almost as much as she loves wine. Here are her top spots in the Windy City.8 Nov 202520 Oct 2025A Zen monk's guide to the best gardens in TokyoShunmyo Masuno creates gardens that blend Zen philosophy with contemporary design. Here are his favourite green spaces in Tokyo – from cherry blossom havens to historical treasures.20 Oct 20257 Oct 2025A chef's guide to Miami's best Cuban sandwichesLike any true Miamian, chef Michelle Bernstein is passionate about Cubanos; a sandwich that defines the soul of the city. Here are her favourites, from Sedano's to Chug's Diner.7 Oct 202530 Sep 2025Five of Australia's best outdoor adventuresBindi Irwin is continuing her family's legacy of protecting the Earth. Here are her top outdoor picks, from the Dinosaur Trail to snorkelling at Lady Elliot Island.30 Sep 202520 Sep 2025How to spend a weekend in MunichFootball legend Philipp Lahm is one of the greatest fullbacks of all time, and a proud Münchner to boot. Here are his picks for exploring Munich, during Oktoberfest and beyond.20 Sep 20254 Sep 2025Chef Asma Khan's guide to London's best Indian foodThe chef-owner of Darjeeling Express shares her favourite Indian restaurants in London – from dosa joints to fine dining – and why she wants you to embrace her culture.4 Sep 202525 Aug 2025A local's guide to the best wings in BuffaloNational Buffalo Wing Festival founder Drew Cerza has made it his mission to promote his hometown's iconic dish. Here are what he deems the best wings in town.25 Aug 202530 Jul 2025Where to get the best pizza in ChicagoLocal pizza expert Steve Dolinsky wants you to know that Chicago pizza isn't just deep dish. Just in time for Lollapalooza Chicago 2025, here are his favourite pies in the city.30 Jul 202525 Jul 2025Tracee Ellis Ross' top tips for travelling soloThe black-ish actor is her own favourite travel companion. Here are her top tips for taking on the world one destination at a time, all on your own.25 Jul 2025... The SpeciaList Eight of New Orleans' best live music venues Singer-songwriter Andrew Duhon shares the best live music in his hometown New Orleans, from acoustic sets at The Tigermen Den to candlelit piano acts at Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar. An aurora chaser's guide to the Northern Lights Experts say 2026 will be a peak year for aurora spotting. Photographer Wil Cheung has seen the borealis more than 400 times and offers his tips on how to witness them yourself. Eight of New Orleans' best live music venues Singer-songwriter Andrew Duhon shares the best live music in his hometown New Orleans, from acoustic sets at The Tigermen Den to candlelit piano acts at Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar. An aurora chaser's guide to the Northern Lights Experts say 2026 will be a peak year for aurora spotting. Photographer Wil Cheung has seen the borealis more than 400 times and offers his tips on how to witness them yourself. How to spend a ski break in Cortina d'Ampezzo As the world turns its gaze to Italy's Cortina d'Ampezzo - one of the hosts of the 2026 Winter Olympics - ski champion Kristian Ghedina shares his hometown picks. An ironwoman's guide to Finland's best icy plunges Elina Mäkinen was the first Finnish woman to complete the Ice Mile. Here are her top ice bathing experiences, from plunges under the Northern Lights to paying homage to Arctic gods. How to enjoy a weekend in Hong Kong Model Angelababy has called Hong Kong home since she was a young girl. Here are her top picks, from fave spots to shop on Hollywood Road to where to watch fireworks at Lunar New Year. How to spend a ski break in Cortina d'Ampezzo As the world turns its gaze to Italy's Cortina d'Ampezzo - one of the hosts of the 2026 Winter Olympics - ski champion Kristian Ghedina shares his hometown picks. An ironwoman's guide to Finland's best icy plunges Elina Mäkinen was the first Finnish woman to complete the Ice Mile. Here are her top ice bathing experiences, from plunges under the Northern Lights to paying homage to Arctic gods. A freeski champion's guide to Whistler Canada's Mike Douglas stands at the vanguard of his hometown's ski culture. Here are his local favourites, from schussing down Peak to Creek to ahi poke at Sushi Village. How a Rockette spends Christmas in New York City For 100 years, The Rockettes have symbolised Christmas in New York City. Now, troupe member Brooklyn Bronson shares her tips on how to enjoy the city's holiday magic. A stylist's guide to New York City shopping She styles A-list fashionistas but really loves shopping for friends and family. Just in time for the holidays, here are Erin Walsh's top shops in her beloved hometown of NYC. Dublin pubs where the Guinness is perfect Colm Dalton is on a mission to rate every Irish pub in the world. He shares the best of the best in Dublin – the birthplace of Guinness. The cocktails that capture the spirit of Miami Miami's famous drinks stand out for their distinctively Latino flavour profile. Mixologist Giovanny Gutierrez shares his favourites. Where to find Boston's best clam chowder Chef Jeremy Sewall has cooked around the world, but home in Boston, he's known for his clam chowder. Here are his top local picks, from Neptune Oyster to Yankee Lobster. Watch The forgotten underground river that shaped Paris Buried beneath Paris since 1912, the ghost river Bièvre shaped the French capital in unexpected ways. The dark history of Santa's official hometown How an Arctic town rose from WWII ruins to reinvent itself as Europe's Christmas capital. The Japanese secret to being calmer and happier In the village of Magome, a 16th-century discipline leads to a sharper focus on the present moment. The alien lands once hidden beneath the ocean In Kazakhstan, tiramisu-coloured canyons and otherworldly gorges are the keepers of our geological history. The Greek island holding the secret to a long life On Ikaria, people on average lead longer, happier lives. A resident of the Greek 'island of immortals' shares her tips for longevity. The Nazi bunkers hidden underneath Berlin From Hitler's last shelter to an underground tunnel connecting eleven small houses in the German countryside. The most surprising sex-positive city in Europe Forget Berlin and Paris. This German city quietly champions free love in a way you wouldn't expect. Inside the hidden quarters of history's greatest seducer From an alchemical pharmacy to a shadowy dungeon, uncover the many secrets of Casanova's mysterious world. Rome's most stunning optical illusions revealed From the Malta Knights keyhole to a set of vanishing columns, discover the Eternal City's visual secrets. Secret doors and a golden mansion: The Vanderbilts' New York At their peak, the Vanderbilts were akin to royalty. Today, their estates conceal hidden treasures. Inside Usonia: A 1940s utopian town in the United States Ronald Reisley, now aged 100, is the last original member of Usonia, a small visionary community in the woods. Extraordinary Brutalist buildings in Berlin From the Mouse Bunker to the Embassy of Czechoslovakia, the Cold War buildings that changed history. The Finnish secret to happiness Nordic etiquette: Learn how to sauna and ice plunge like a Finn and feel great afterwards. The mysterious origins of Chimaera's 2,500-year-old flames On Mount Chimaera, fire has been spitting out from rocks for over 2,500 years. Our local SpeciaList explains why. Turkey's island of 400 ancient shipwrecks A dive into 3,500 years of underwater archeology, sunken cities and Lycian tombs with Prof Hakan Öniz. Why the secret to Icelandic happiness lies in their pools How did bathing become such an intrinsic part of Icelandic cultural identity? More from The SpeciaList Five of the best rooftop bars in Chicago Local award-winning sommelier Regine Rousseau loves rooftop bars almost as much as she loves wine. Here are her top spots in the Windy City. A Zen monk's guide to the best gardens in Tokyo Shunmyo Masuno creates gardens that blend Zen philosophy with contemporary design. Here are his favourite green spaces in Tokyo – from cherry blossom havens to historical treasures. A chef's guide to Miami's best Cuban sandwiches Like any true Miamian, chef Michelle Bernstein is passionate about Cubanos; a sandwich that defines the soul of the city. Here are her favourites, from Sedano's to Chug's Diner. Five of Australia's best outdoor adventures Bindi Irwin is continuing her family's legacy of protecting the Earth. Here are her top outdoor picks, from the Dinosaur Trail to snorkelling at Lady Elliot Island. How to spend a weekend in Munich Football legend Philipp Lahm is one of the greatest fullbacks of all time, and a proud Münchner to boot. Here are his picks for exploring Munich, during Oktoberfest and beyond. Chef Asma Khan's guide to London's best Indian food The chef-owner of Darjeeling Express shares her favourite Indian restaurants in London – from dosa joints to fine dining – and why she wants you to embrace her culture. A local's guide to the best wings in Buffalo National Buffalo Wing Festival founder Drew Cerza has made it his mission to promote his hometown's iconic dish. Here are what he deems the best wings in town. Where to get the best pizza in Chicago Local pizza expert Steve Dolinsky wants you to know that Chicago pizza isn't just deep dish. Just in time for Lollapalooza Chicago 2025, here are his favourite pies in the city. Tracee Ellis Ross' top tips for travelling solo The black-ish actor is her own favourite travel companion. Here are her top tips for taking on the world one destination at a time, all on your own. Copyright 2026 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.
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[SOURCE: https://www.bbc.com/innovation/science] \| [TOKENS: 3419]
ScienceNasa targets early March to send humans back around the Moon Nasa sets the launch date following a successful "wet dress rehearsal" of the Artemis II mission.See moreHow toddlers in Finland are helping save an endangered languageSpecial nurseries are helping the Sámi people in Finland to bring their almost-lost language back from the brink of extinction.Trump directs US government to prepare release of files on aliens and UFOsTrump says he will seek release of files on extraterrestrials, "based on the tremendous interest shown". How do you modernise mango farming?Lion DNA helps convict poachers for first time'Smiling' fossil discovered in northeast EnglandAncient bone may prove legendary war elephant crossing of AlpsWatchHow can rollercoasters hold so much weight?Rollercoasters send our hearts racing and stomachs dropping. Hannah Fry dives into the science of how they work.23 October 2025ShareExplore MoreExplaining how a touchscreen works with a sausageWhy space debris is a looming crisisWhat's inside a black hole?Using bubbles to remove forever chemicals from our waterHow sex with Neanderthals changed us foreverHow did Darwin come up with his theory of evolution?Why 'snowy' New York winters are a bit of a mythHomo juluensis: Possible 'new ancient human' identifiedHow Arctic communities protect themselves from avalanchesCan new research predict 'the big one'?Earth tides: Why our planet's crust has tides tooThe science behind the 'mini moon' entering Earth's orbitListen to the sound of the UniverseUncovering the sunken relics of an ancient cityIn Australia, sea lions help researchers map the ocean floorThe scientists drilling into an active Icelandic volcanoEarth's spectacular and remote 'capital' of lightningWhy we may have misunderstood the UniverseWhy giant hailstones are on the riseWhat 'zombie fires' are and why they pose a risk for CanadaWhat happens when it rains space debrisWhy electric vehicles struggle in extreme coldThe sacred birds of longevity revered in BhutanWhy insects are so crucial to life on EarthThe danger of a runaway ice-albedo loopIs New York really sinking?Inside the world's biggest 'mirror' solar plantViews from an observatory on top of the worldHow flickering lights can help you learn betterThe butterfly effect: What is chaos theory?Scientists create world's first 'synthetic' embryosWhy can’t I remember people’s faces?Four ways to understand the multiverseMaui's grass-fire cycle explainedAncient worms found in Siberia permafrost come back to lifeIs this mysterious animal the key to human longevity?The Oppenheimer dilemma: H-bomb vs A-bombThe enigmatic blueprint to a mirror UniverseThe poisonous origin of life on EarthWhy do our fingers wrinkle in the bath?The man who discovered the 'abyss of time'The art of taking the very, very long view of timeThe 22nd-century people living among usThe enigmatic far side of the MoonMagenta: The colour that doesn't existWhy maggots are a medical marvelWho discovered the equator – the Spanish or the pre-Incas?Why the 'perfect' nature vs nurture experiment went wrongHow a controversial study split up twinsWhat happened after twins were separated for science?Nikola Tesla: The forgotten genius who invented our futureThere are thousands of mites living on your faceWhat if women never had to give birth again?Reasons to love being a sweaty personInside the lab working to bring people back from the deadWhat do blue diamonds reveal about our planet?Why Vikings weren't who we thought they wereString theory - a simple way to understand the universeCan the 'warrior gene' make you violent?Inside the Frozen Zoo bringing animals back from extinctionThe wonder material that 'protects against nuclear blasts'Is phrenology the weirdest pseudoscience of them all?Can a full moon really make strange things happen?Is ashwagandha the new super herb?The mystery of how life began on EarthThe 'floating cities' we might lose foreverThree simple ways to deactivate your bad genesThe strange science behind why doughnuts are so irresistibleDo we really use 10% of our brain?The everyday mistake that once killed thousandsHow to remain eternally youthfulHow your state of mind could determine how long you liveWhat do our eyes say about us?The secret Cold War mission with an unexpected legacyThe stunning images that are invisible to the naked eyeHow do you control a stutter?'Being mixed race means I could die'Can we 3D print our food?Why you're more heroic than you thinkThe awe-inspiring forest where magic happens once a nightThe desert oasis with clues to early lifeHow medieval monks are revealing our universe's mysteriesMoon hoax? Five reasons why the landings were realThe 'time machines' unlocking Antarctica's pastMassive Attack album stored in a painting using DNAWhy water is one of the weirdest things in the UniverseBringing Caroline Herschel out of her brother's shadowThe physicist called Einstein - but not the one you thinkHow can we prevent hurricanes causing such devastation?'We're helping these girls to fly'How Starlite was first broadcast on Tomorrow's WorldThe mystery substance that could have saved livesChildren pursuing their science dreamIs this African teenager a future coding superstar?Uganda's food waste warriorWhat's inside this potentially world-changing material?The wonder material that never made itHow does the 'wonder material' Starlite actually work?The substance that 'can withstand 75 nuclear blasts'Fascinating readsHow defying ageism can help you live longerResearch shows a positive attitude towards ageing can make people feel younger and live longer. How to evacuate a doomed space station - quicklyAstronauts orbiting the Earth are drilled to deal with the worst possible scenarios. That includes having to leave their space station on short notice.The ultra-cold temperatures needed for epic nuclear scienceOne of the world's most sophisticated scientific facilities is turning to jaw-droppingly low temperatures to try and unravel the secrets of the Universe.What are your chances of beating top tennis stars?An unusual tennis competition that pits amateurs against professionals in one-point matches is launching at the Australian Open.The unseen damage from heading a ball in sportWhy sports stars who head the ball are much more likely to die of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and motor neurone disease.The planet that shouldn't existMercury has long baffled astronomers because it defies much of what we know about planet formation. A new space mission arriving in 2026 might solve the mystery.More science5 days agoWhat is the dart frog toxin allegedly used to kill Alexei Navalny?The toxin, epibatidine, can be found in frogs in the wild in South America or manufactured in a lab.5 days ago5 days agoObama clarifies views on aliens after saying 'they're real' on podcastFormer US President Barack Obama says he has seen no evidence extra-terrestrials have made contact with Earth.5 days ago13 Feb 2026The science of soulmates: Is there someone out there exactly right for you?For many, the idea of soulmates still shapes how love is understood.13 Feb 20269 Feb 2026The dazzling discovery of Tutankhamun's tombIn a BBC archive clip, archaeologist Howard Carter describes the moment on 12 February 1924 when he and his team became the first people in 3,300 years to meet the Egyptian boy king.9 Feb 20265 Feb 2026'Do you love me?': The surprising messages Vikings left behindRunic inscriptions from the Viking Age still turn up in Sweden 1,000 years after they were written – revealing fascinating stories of love, loss and epic battles.5 Feb 20263 Feb 2026What it takes to survive on the MoonWhen the Artemis mission lands on the Moon, its crew will have to grapple with a challenging environment and extreme isolation.3 Feb 20263 Feb 2026The mystery of 70,000-year-old 'Snake Rock' offeringsAt Tsodilo Hills in Botswana, archaeologists uncovered perfectly crafted stone tools that puzzled them.3 Feb 202629 Jan 2026Polar bears on Norwegian islands fatter and healthier despite ice loss, scientists sayScientists think that Svalbard bears have adapted to recent ice loss by eating more land-based prey.29 Jan 202628 Jan 2026AI model from Google's DeepMind reads recipe for life in DNAIt could transform our understanding of why diseases develop and the medicines needed to treat them, says researchers.28 Jan 2026... Science Nasa targets early March to send humans back around the Moon How toddlers in Finland are helping save an endangered language Special nurseries are helping the Sámi people in Finland to bring their almost-lost language back from the brink of extinction. Trump directs US government to prepare release of files on aliens and UFOs Trump says he will seek release of files on extraterrestrials, "based on the tremendous interest shown". How do you modernise mango farming? Lion DNA helps convict poachers for first time 'Smiling' fossil discovered in northeast England Ancient bone may prove legendary war elephant crossing of Alps Watch Rollercoasters send our hearts racing and stomachs dropping. Hannah Fry dives into the science of how they work. Explaining how a touchscreen works with a sausage Why space debris is a looming crisis What's inside a black hole? Using bubbles to remove forever chemicals from our water How sex with Neanderthals changed us forever How did Darwin come up with his theory of evolution? Why 'snowy' New York winters are a bit of a myth Homo juluensis: Possible 'new ancient human' identified How Arctic communities protect themselves from avalanches Can new research predict 'the big one'? Earth tides: Why our planet's crust has tides too The science behind the 'mini moon' entering Earth's orbit Listen to the sound of the Universe Uncovering the sunken relics of an ancient city In Australia, sea lions help researchers map the ocean floor The scientists drilling into an active Icelandic volcano Earth's spectacular and remote 'capital' of lightning Why we may have misunderstood the Universe Why giant hailstones are on the rise What 'zombie fires' are and why they pose a risk for Canada What happens when it rains space debris Why electric vehicles struggle in extreme cold The sacred birds of longevity revered in Bhutan Why insects are so crucial to life on Earth The danger of a runaway ice-albedo loop Is New York really sinking? Inside the world's biggest 'mirror' solar plant Views from an observatory on top of the world How flickering lights can help you learn better The butterfly effect: What is chaos theory? Scientists create world's first 'synthetic' embryos Why can’t I remember people’s faces? Four ways to understand the multiverse Maui's grass-fire cycle explained Ancient worms found in Siberia permafrost come back to life Is this mysterious animal the key to human longevity? The Oppenheimer dilemma: H-bomb vs A-bomb The enigmatic blueprint to a mirror Universe The poisonous origin of life on Earth Why do our fingers wrinkle in the bath? The man who discovered the 'abyss of time' The art of taking the very, very long view of time The 22nd-century people living among us The enigmatic far side of the Moon Magenta: The colour that doesn't exist Why maggots are a medical marvel Who discovered the equator – the Spanish or the pre-Incas? Why the 'perfect' nature vs nurture experiment went wrong How a controversial study split up twins What happened after twins were separated for science? Nikola Tesla: The forgotten genius who invented our future There are thousands of mites living on your face What if women never had to give birth again? Reasons to love being a sweaty person Inside the lab working to bring people back from the dead What do blue diamonds reveal about our planet? Why Vikings weren't who we thought they were String theory - a simple way to understand the universe Can the 'warrior gene' make you violent? Inside the Frozen Zoo bringing animals back from extinction The wonder material that 'protects against nuclear blasts' Is phrenology the weirdest pseudoscience of them all? Can a full moon really make strange things happen? Is ashwagandha the new super herb? The mystery of how life began on Earth The 'floating cities' we might lose forever Three simple ways to deactivate your bad genes The strange science behind why doughnuts are so irresistible Do we really use 10% of our brain? The everyday mistake that once killed thousands How to remain eternally youthful How your state of mind could determine how long you live What do our eyes say about us? The secret Cold War mission with an unexpected legacy The stunning images that are invisible to the naked eye How do you control a stutter? 'Being mixed race means I could die' Can we 3D print our food? Why you're more heroic than you think The awe-inspiring forest where magic happens once a night The desert oasis with clues to early life How medieval monks are revealing our universe's mysteries Moon hoax? Five reasons why the landings were real The 'time machines' unlocking Antarctica's past Massive Attack album stored in a painting using DNA Why water is one of the weirdest things in the Universe Bringing Caroline Herschel out of her brother's shadow The physicist called Einstein - but not the one you think How can we prevent hurricanes causing such devastation? 'We're helping these girls to fly' How Starlite was first broadcast on Tomorrow's World The mystery substance that could have saved lives Children pursuing their science dream Is this African teenager a future coding superstar? Uganda's food waste warrior What's inside this potentially world-changing material? The wonder material that never made it How does the 'wonder material' Starlite actually work? The substance that 'can withstand 75 nuclear blasts' Fascinating reads How defying ageism can help you live longer Research shows a positive attitude towards ageing can make people feel younger and live longer. How to evacuate a doomed space station - quickly Astronauts orbiting the Earth are drilled to deal with the worst possible scenarios. That includes having to leave their space station on short notice. The ultra-cold temperatures needed for epic nuclear science One of the world's most sophisticated scientific facilities is turning to jaw-droppingly low temperatures to try and unravel the secrets of the Universe. What are your chances of beating top tennis stars? An unusual tennis competition that pits amateurs against professionals in one-point matches is launching at the Australian Open. The unseen damage from heading a ball in sport Why sports stars who head the ball are much more likely to die of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and motor neurone disease. The planet that shouldn't exist Mercury has long baffled astronomers because it defies much of what we know about planet formation. A new space mission arriving in 2026 might solve the mystery. More science What is the dart frog toxin allegedly used to kill Alexei Navalny? The toxin, epibatidine, can be found in frogs in the wild in South America or manufactured in a lab. Obama clarifies views on aliens after saying 'they're real' on podcast Former US President Barack Obama says he has seen no evidence extra-terrestrials have made contact with Earth. The science of soulmates: Is there someone out there exactly right for you? For many, the idea of soulmates still shapes how love is understood. The dazzling discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb In a BBC archive clip, archaeologist Howard Carter describes the moment on 12 February 1924 when he and his team became the first people in 3,300 years to meet the Egyptian boy king. 'Do you love me?': The surprising messages Vikings left behind Runic inscriptions from the Viking Age still turn up in Sweden 1,000 years after they were written – revealing fascinating stories of love, loss and epic battles. What it takes to survive on the Moon When the Artemis mission lands on the Moon, its crew will have to grapple with a challenging environment and extreme isolation. The mystery of 70,000-year-old 'Snake Rock' offerings At Tsodilo Hills in Botswana, archaeologists uncovered perfectly crafted stone tools that puzzled them. Polar bears on Norwegian islands fatter and healthier despite ice loss, scientists say Scientists think that Svalbard bears have adapted to recent ice loss by eating more land-based prey. AI model from Google's DeepMind reads recipe for life in DNA It could transform our understanding of why diseases develop and the medicines needed to treat them, says researchers. Copyright 2026 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.
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[SOURCE: https://www.fast.ai/posts/2024-10-29-screen-time/index.html] \| [TOKENS: 1809]
In defense of screen time Rachel Thomas October 29, 2024 On this page My daughter is constantly creating– her passions include making art, writing fiction, coding interactive games, and composing music. Yet, I regularly see news articles and media pundits suggesting that my husband and I are doing things all wrong. The reason for these claims? My daughter uses screen-based tools, at least partially, and in some cases, entirely, to pursue the interests I listed in my first sentence. To give more detail on how she pursues her passions: My daughter is not unique. Our family knows many other children with similar creativity levels who are excelling in their passions beyond what is often believed possible for their age groups. Parenting approaches are personal and often polarizing, so I normally don’t write on this topic. However, I am concerned by how several (in my view, false) points are being increasingly repeated by politicians and pundits: that screentime is very harmful for children, that it is essential for children’s well-being to attend in-person school every day (even when sick), and that it is important for workers to return to the office (even when their jobs can be done remotely). The above points are interlocking, since getting workers commuting to in-person offices requires children being at in-person school. And overemphasizing in-person school attendance overlooks a number of children whose needs aren’t being met by in-person school. It also overlooks a number of online and screen-based options opportunities to build skills, express creativity, and form friendships. Here I want to focus on some innovative ways that we can encourage children’s flourishing, whether that is as a supplement to in-person school, or instead of. A False Binary I often hear statements such as, “I’d rather kids played outside than on a computer.” But these choices aren’t binary! You don’t have to pick just one. My daughter plays outside AND on a computer. She plays in-person sports regularly AND has online hobbies. This year we threw her 2 birthday parties: an in-person one for her local friends AND an online one for her long-distance friends. The term “screen time” is so broad as to be meaningless, clumping together many disparate activities. A child sitting next to a parent playing a math game together on the computer is screen time. Calling your grandparents on skype is screen time. Collaboratively composing music with your best friend in another country is screen time. Yet, when many people refer to screen time, they often seem to be referring to a child passively watching TV on their own (something which my husband and I almost never let our daughter do, and that she doesn’t seem interested in). With any screen-based activity, it is useful to consider: It is not that some of these options are always good or always bad, but rather that we need to have a nuanced view on different combinations of these factors and how much time you may want to spend on each. Screens are a crucial tool and outlet for her expressing her creativity, and it saddens me to hear an increasing media narrative vilifying screen time for kids. Two of my daughter’s best friends are kids she has never met in person (because they live in a different state and in a different country), yet she talks with each of them several times per week. She also has local friends that we get together with regularly in-person. The fact that she has several close long-distance friends isn’t surprising, because my husband and I have many close online / long-distance friendships as well. Our friendships aren’t any less real because they are over screens. Opening up the possibility for long-distance friendships has given us the option of finding additional friends we are particularly compatible with. Increased options Screen-based learning options make homeschooling more feasible for a wider range of families. Online resources (games, classes, and clubs) can offer opportunities that may not be available locally, can fill in gaps parents may not be qualified to cover, and offer an exciting variety of options. For instance, online courses have allowed my daughter to do the following (which are not available locally for us): As I wrote about in a previous post, we homeschool, and this leaves our daughter with far more time for hobbies and socializing than in-person school gave us. In-person school does not work for everyone There are several categories of kids whose needs are often not met in traditional schools and frequently benefit from online options: It is an injustice that schools are not inclusive of all children. While individuals pulling their children out of school does not address this injustice (and we should continue to work for safer and more inclusive schools), many families have found it necessary to leave systems that are harming their kids. Don’t judge screentime by a few bad examples I would caution against writing off screen time or online learning based on a low quality or poorly designed experience. Maybe your child’s school went online in 2020 with no notice and no support, and they were stuck in a zoom with 25 other kids (this is not a good set-up for anyone!). We have found that with small group online tutoring, my daughter is able to be more social and talkative than she was in a large class at in-person school, and she masters more material in less time. However, even amongst small online groups, occasionally she’ll try a teacher or club that isn’t a good match for her, and in those cases, we discontinue it. Since screentime is often equated with a way to occupy kids while parents do something else, there are often unrealistic expectations, particularly for the most rewarding screen-based tools (which tend to involve a learning curve and require support from a trusted adult). In many cases handing your child a new educational app and then leaving them alone can lead to frustration. Sitting with them and working through the app together can be relationship-building, prevent them from getting overly discouraged, and help them build confidence as you figure it out together. With age and experience, kids will likely be able to do more on their own. Inclusion and accessibility Countries around the world, including the USA, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Belgium, and Canada are seeing high levels of school absences. Factors for these record levels of absences include more frequent illnesses (such as covid, RSV, and flu) and chronic health issues. In mid-2024, many countries (including the USA and Australia) experienced a particularly high wave of the ongoing covid pandemic. Rates of disability are increasing, and people, including children, are continuing to develop new health conditions after viral infections. A number of school districts are responding to these waves of illness by placing heightened emphasis on attendance to in-person school, in many cases pressuring or even requiring children and teachers to attend school while sick. In parts of the UK, USA, and New Zealand, policies are being considered (or implemented) to charge parents fines if their children miss school too often. This is counterproductive, as it is hard to focus when unwell, attending school sick increases the likelihood of spreading illness to others, and rest is a key way to reduce risk of post-viral illness. None of these punitive attendance policies address root causes, such as improving school air quality, making sure parents have adequate paid leave to stay home with sick children, or decoupling school funding from attendance. We are also seeing rising rates of disability amongst working age adults. In the USA, there has been an increase in people with cognitive disabilities. A BBC article notes that in the UK sick people are leaving the workforce at record highs. Online access is a crucial part of accessibility and disability rights. For many disabled people, accessibility improved in 2020 with more remote options for work, medical appointments, conferences, and other events, and there is now a counter-reaction in which these options are being removed. Every child is different, so what works for my family won’t work for everyone. I am not recommending that all families homeschool, or that nobody should attend in-person school. However, we need to consider innovative approaches to learning and communication, and that includes screen-based approaches. Hopes for a creative and inclusive society I want children to discover and develop passions that they enjoy (astronomy, writing, art, music, math, oceanography, chess, there are so many possibilities!) and to be able to connect with others who share their interests. Taking advantage of computer-based and online options opens up a world of possibility. I also want a society in which disabled people are included in events and opportunities, and in which people can rest when they’re sick or preferably avoid illness in the first place. Fewer people commuting to the office is better for the environment. Traditional school is failing a lot of kids. I hope we can consider a range of innovative educational and social approaches, and not exclude an entire category of valuable ways to communicate, create, and learn (e.g. screentime). Related Posts
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[SOURCE: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Markus_Persson#cite_note-Gartenberg-3] \| [TOKENS: 3525]
Contents Markus Persson Markus Alexej Persson (/ˈpɪərsən/ ⓘ PEER-sən, Swedish: [ˈmǎrːkɵs ˈpæ̌ːʂɔn] ⓘ; born 1 June 1979), known by the pseudonym Notch, is a Swedish video game programmer and designer. He is the creator of Minecraft, the best-selling video game in history. He founded the video game development company Mojang Studios in 2009. Persson began developing video games at an early age. His commercial success began after he published an early version of Minecraft in 2009. Prior to the game's official retail release in 2011, it had sold over four million copies. After this point Persson stood down as the lead designer and transferred his creative authority to Jens Bergensten. In September 2014 Persson announced his intention to leave Mojang, and in November of that year the company was sold to Microsoft reportedly for US$2.5 billion, which made him a billionaire. Since 2016 several of Persson's posts on Twitter regarding feminism, race, and transgender rights have caused public controversies. He has been described as "an increasingly polarizing figure, tweeting offensive statements regarding race, the LGBTQ community, gender, and other topics." In an effort to distance itself from Persson, Microsoft removed mentions of his name from Minecraft (excluding one instance in the game's end credits) and did not invite him to the game's tenth anniversary celebration. In 2015 he co-founded a separate game studio called Rubberbrain, which was relaunched in 2024 as Bitshift Entertainment. Early life Markus Alexej Persson was born in Stockholm, Sweden, to a Finnish mother, Ritva, and a Swedish father, Birger, on 1 June 1979. He has one sister. He grew up in Edsbyn until he was seven years old, when his family moved back to Stockholm. In Edsbyn, Persson's father worked for the railroad, and his mother was a nurse. He spent much time outdoors in Edsbyn, exploring the woods with his friends. When Persson was about seven years old, his parents divorced, and he and his sister lived with their mother. His father moved to a cabin in the countryside. Persson said in an interview that they experienced food insecurity around once a month. Persson lost contact with his father for several years after the divorce. According to Persson, his father suffered from depression, bipolar disorder, alcoholism, and medication abuse, and went to jail for robberies. While his father had somewhat recovered during Persson's early life, his father relapsed, contributing to the divorce. His sister also experimented with drugs and ran away from home. He had gained interest in video games at an early age. His father was "a really big nerd", who built his own modem and taught Persson to use the family's Commodore 128. On it, Persson played bootleg games and loaded in various type-in programs from computer magazines with the help of his sister. The first game he purchased with his own money was The Bard's Tale. He began programming on his father's Commodore 128 home computer at the age of seven. He produced his first game at the age of eight, a text-based adventure game. By 1994 Persson knew he wanted to become a video game developer, but his teachers advised him to study graphic design, which he did from ages 15 to 18. Persson, although introverted, was well-liked by his peers, but after entering secondary school was a "loner" and reportedly had only one friend. He spent most of his spare time with games and programming at home. He managed to reverse-engineer the Doom engine, which he continued to take great pride in as of 2014[update]. He never finished high school, but was reportedly a good student. Career Persson started his career working as a web designer. He later found employment at Game Federation, where he met Rolf Jansson. The pair worked in their spare time to build the 2006 video game Wurm Online. The game was released through a new entity, "Mojang Specifications AB". Persson left the project in late 2007. As Persson wanted to reuse the name "Mojang", Jansson agreed to rename the company to Onetoofree AB. Between 2004 and 2009 Persson worked as a game developer for Midasplayer (later known as King). There, he worked as a programmer, mostly building browser games made in Flash. He later worked as a programmer for jAlbum. Prior to creating Minecraft, Persson developed multiple, small games. He also entered a number of game design competitions and participated in discussions on the TIGSource forums, a web forum for independent game developers. One of Persson's more notable personal projects was called RubyDung, an isometric three-dimensional base-building game like RollerCoaster Tycoon and Dwarf Fortress. While working on RubyDung, Persson experimented with a first-person view mode similar to that found in Dungeon Keeper. However, he felt the graphics were too pixelated and omitted this mode. In 2009 Persson found inspiration in Infiniminer, a block-based open-ended mining game. Infiniminer heavily influenced his future work on RubyDung, and was behind Persson's reasoning for returning the first-person mode, the "blocky" visual style and the block-building fundamentals to the game. RubyDung is the earliest known Minecraft prototype created by Persson. On 17 May 2009 Persson released the original edition (later called "Classic version") of Minecraft on the TIGSource forums. He regularly updated the game based on feedback from TIGSource users. Persson released several new versions of Minecraft throughout 2009 and 2010, going through several phases of development including Survival Test, Indev, and Infdev. On 30 June 2010 Persson released the game's Alpha version. While working on the pre-Alpha version of Minecraft, Persson continued working at jAlbum. In 2010, after the release and subsequent success of Minecraft's Alpha version, Persson moved from a full-time role to a part-time role at jAlbum. He left jAlbum later that same year. In September 2010 Persson travelled to Valve Corporation's headquarters in Bellevue, Washington, United States, where he took part in a programming exercise and met Gabe Newell. Persson was subsequently offered a job at Valve, which he turned down in order to continue work on Minecraft. On 20 December 2010 Minecraft moved into its beta phase and began expanding to other platforms, including mobile. In January 2011 Minecraft reached one million registered accounts. Six months afterwards, it reached ten million. The game has sold over four million copies by 7 November 2011. Mojang held the first Minecon from 18 to 19 November 2011 to celebrate its full release, and subsequently made it an annual event. Following this, on 11 December 2011, Persson transferred creative control of Minecraft to Jens Bergensten and began working on another game title, 0x10c, although he reportedly abandoned the project around 2013. In 2013 Mojang recorded revenues of $330 million and profits of $129 million. Persson has stated that, due to the intense media attention and public pressure, he became exhausted with running Minecraft and Mojang. In a September 2014 blog post he shared his realization that he "didn't have the connection to my fans I thought I had", that he had "become a symbol", and that he did not wish to be responsible for Mojang's increasingly large operation. In June 2014 Persson tweeted "Anyone want to buy my share of Mojang so I can move on with my life? Getting hate for trying to do the right thing is not my gig", reportedly partly as a joke. Persson controlled a 71% stake in Mojang at the time. The offer attracted significant interest from Activision Blizzard, EA, and Microsoft. Forbes later reported that Microsoft wanted to purchase the game as a "tax dodge" to turn their taxable excess liquid cash into other assets. In September 2014 Microsoft agreed to purchase Mojang for $2.5 billion, making Persson a billionaire. He then left the company after the deal was finalised in November. Since leaving Mojang, Persson has worked on several small projects. On 23 June 2014 he founded a company with Porsér called Rubberbrain AB; the company had no games by 2021, despite spending SEK 60 million. The company was relaunched as Bitshift Entertainment, LLC on 28 March 2024. Persson expressed interest in creating a new video game studio in 2020, and in developing virtual reality games. He has also since created a series of narrative-driven immersive events called ".party()", which uses extensive visual effects and has been hosted in multiple cities. At the beginning of 2025 Persson decided to create a spiritual successor to Minecraft, referred to as "Minecraft 2", in response to the results of a poll on X. However, after speaking to his team, he shortly went against this in favour of developing the other choice on his Twitter poll, a roguelike titled Levers and Chests. Games Persson's most popular creation is the survival sandbox game Minecraft, which was first publicly available on 17 May 2009 and fully released on 18 November 2011. Persson left his job as a game developer to work on Minecraft full-time until completion. In early 2011, Mojang AB sold the one millionth copy of the game, several months later their second, and several more their third. Mojang hired several new staff members for the Minecraft team, while Persson passed the lead developer role to Jens Bergensten. He stopped working on Minecraft after a deal with Microsoft to sell Mojang for $2.5 billion. This brought his net worth to US$1.5 billion. Persson and Jakob Porsér came up with the idea for Scrolls including elements from board games and collectible card games. Persson noted that he will not be actively involved in development of the game and that Porsér will be developing it. Persson revealed on his Tumblr blog on 5 August 2011 that he was being sued by a Swedish law firm representing Bethesda Softworks over the trademarked name of Scrolls, claiming that it conflicted with their The Elder Scrolls series of games. On 17 August 2011 Persson challenged Bethesda to a Quake 3 tournament to decide the outcome of the naming dispute. On 27 September 2011 Persson confirmed that the lawsuit was going to court. ZeniMax Media, owner of Bethesda Softworks, announced the lawsuit's settlement in March 2012. The settlement allowed Mojang to continue using the Scrolls trademark. In 2018, Scrolls was made available free of charge and renamed to Caller's Bane. Cliffhorse is a humorous game programmed in two hours using the Unity game engine and free assets. The game took inspiration from Skyrim's physics engine, "the more embarrassing minimum-effort Greenlight games", Goat Simulator, and Big Rigs: Over the Road Racing. The game was released to Microsoft Windows systems as an early access and honourware game on the first day of E3 2014, instructing users to donate Dogecoin to "buy" the game before downloading it. The game accumulated over 280,000 dogecoins. Following the end to his involvement with Minecraft, Persson began pre-production of an alternate reality space game set in the distant future in March 2012. On April Fools' Day Mojang launched a satirical website for Mars Effect (parody of Mass Effect), citing the lawsuit with Bethesda as an inspiration. However, the gameplay elements remained true and on 4 April, Mojang revealed 0x10c (pronounced "Ten to the C") as a space sandbox title. Persson officially halted game production in August 2013. However, C418, the composer of the game's soundtrack (as well as that of Minecraft), released an album of the work he had made for the game. In 2013, Persson made a free game called Shambles in the Unity game engine. Persson has also participated in several Ludum Dare 48-hour game making competitions. Personal life In 2011 Persson married Elin Zetterstrand, whom he had dated for four years before. Zetterstrand was a former moderator on the Minecraft forums. They had a daughter together, but by mid-2012, he began to see little of her. On 15 August 2012 he announced that he and his wife had filed for divorce. The divorce was finalised later that year. On 14 December 2011 Persson's father committed suicide with a handgun after drinking heavily. In an interview with The New Yorker, Persson said of his father: When I decided I wanted to quit my day job and work on my own games, he was the only person who supported my decision. He was proud of me and made sure I knew. When I added the monsters to Minecraft, he told me that the dark caves became too scary for him. But I think that was the only true criticism I ever heard from him. Persson later admitted that he himself suffered from depression and various highs and lows in his mood. Persson has criticised the stance of large game companies on piracy. He once stated that "piracy is not theft", viewing unauthorised downloads as potential future customers. Persson stated himself to be a member of the Pirate Party of Sweden in 2011. He is also a member of Mensa. He has donated to numerous charities, including Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders). Under his direction, Mojang spent a week developing Catacomb Snatch for the Humble Indie Bundle and raised US$458,248 for charity. He also donated $250,000 to the Electronic Frontier Foundation in 2012. In 2011 he gave $3 million in dividends back to Mojang employees. According to Forbes, his net worth in 2023 was around $1.2 billion. In 2014 Persson was one of the biggest taxpayers in Sweden. Around 2014, he lived in a multi-level penthouse in Östermalm, Stockholm, an area he described as "where the rich people live". In December 2014 Persson purchased a home in Trousdale Estates, a neighbourhood in Beverly Hills, California, in the United States, for $70 million, a record sales price for Beverly Hills at the time. Persson reportedly outbid Beyoncé and Jay-Z for the property. Persson began receiving criticism for political and social opinions he expressed on social media as early as 2016. November 30, 2017 In 2017, he proposed a heterosexual pride holiday, and wrote that those who opposed the idea "deserve to be shot." After facing backlash, he deleted the tweets and rescinded his statements, writing, "So yeah, it's about pride of daring to express, not about pride of being who you are. I get it now." Later in the year, he wrote that feminism is a "social disease" and called the video game developer and feminist Zoë Quinn a "cunt", although he was generally critical of the GamerGate movement. He has described intersectional feminism as a "framework for bigotry" and the use of the word mansplaining as being sexist. Also in 2017, Persson tweeted that "It's okay to be white". Later that year, he stated that he believed in the Pizzagate conspiracy theory. In 2019, he tweeted referencing QAnon, saying "Q is legit. Don't trust the media." Later in 2019, he tweeted in response to a pro-transgender internet meme that, "You are absolutely evil if you want to encourage delusion. What happened to not stigmatizing mental illness?" He then also promoted claims that people were fined for "using the wrong pronoun". However, after facing backlash, he tweeted a day afterwards that he had "no idea what [being trans is] like of course, but it's inspiring as hell when people open up and choose to actually be who they know themselves as. Not because it's a cool choice, because it's a big step. I gues [sic] that's actually cool nvm". Later that year, Microsoft removed two mentions of Persson's name in the "19w13a" snapshot of Minecraft and did not invite him to the 10-year anniversary celebration of the game. A spokesperson for Microsoft stated that his views "do not reflect those of Microsoft or Mojang". He is still mentioned in the End Poem ("a flat, infinite world created by a man called Markus").[citation needed] Awards References External links
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[SOURCE: https://arstechnica.com/culture/2026/02/its-outright-war-for-the-iron-throne-in-house-of-the-dragon-s3-teaser/] \| [TOKENS: 2340]
fire and darkness It’s outright war for the Iron Throne in House of the Dragon S3 teaser “The king has abdicated his throne. A new line is coming. A new line of unsullied kings.” Jennifer Ouellette – Feb 20, 2026 11:40 am \| 22 Credit: YouTube/HBO Credit: YouTube/HBO Text settings Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only Learn more Minimize to nav With HBO’s critically acclaimed A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms gearing up for its season finale on Sunday, it’s time to check in on that other Game of Thrones spinoff: the far darker House of the Dragon, which now has a suitably ominous teaser for its upcoming third season. (Spoilers for the first two seasons below.) The series is set nearly 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones, when dragons were still a fixture of Westeros, and chronicles the beginning of the end of House Targaryen’s reign. The primary source material is Fire and Blood, a fictional history of the Targaryen kings written by George R.R. Martin. As book readers know, those events culminated in a civil war and the extinction of the dragons—at least until Daenerys Targaryen came along. The first season spanned many years and featured some pretty significant time jumps, which required replacing the younger actors as their characters aged. For those who might need a refresher: King Viserys (Paddy Considine) died, and his second wife, Alicent (Olivia Cooke), conspired with her father, Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans), to crown her eldest son, Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney), as king instead of Viserys’ declared heir apparent, Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy). Even though she was technically the rightful heir, Rhaenyra actually seemed to be considering House Hightower’s conditions for concession—until the arrogant Prince Aemond (Ewan Mitchell), Alicent’s younger son, went after Rhaenyra’s young son, Lucerys (Elliot Grihault). Both dragonriders failed to control their dragons, and Aemon’s much bigger dragon, Vhagar, gobbled up poor Lucerys and his little dragon, Arrax, in mid-air. The season closed with Rhaenyra and her husband/uncle Daemon (Matt Smith) receiving the devastating news, effectively dashing any hope of a peaceful resolution. House of the Dragon has always taken a leisurely, more focused approach to its characters’ political maneuverings, interspersed with bursts of bloody violence, and S2 was no exception. But it opened with a bang: the infamous “Blood and Cheese” incident (well-known to book readers), in which assassins sent to take out Aemond as vengeance for Lucerys can’t find him and butcher Aegon’s eldest son instead. We lost a couple more dragons and several supporting characters in the ensuing chaos, and Aegon was so severely wounded that Aemond became regent—with no plan to relinquish the Iron Throne any time soon. Dance of Dragons = Death Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) sits as regent on the Iron Throne. YouTube/HBO Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) sits as regent on the Iron Throne. YouTube/HBO Behold the destructive power of a dragon. YouTube/HBO Behold the destructive power of a dragon. YouTube/HBO Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) sits as regent on the Iron Throne. YouTube/HBO Behold the destructive power of a dragon. YouTube/HBO What we didn’t get to see: the spectacularly brutal Battle of the Gullet, the bloody conflict at sea that will now be a centerpiece action sequence for S3 after HBO trimmed S2’s episode count from 10 to eight. But the finale teed it up perfectly, as Rhaenyra finally declared outright dragon war (the nuclear option) following Aemond’s reckless destruction of Sharp Point. As for Aegon, he went into hiding in Braavos, intending to wait out the war before reclaiming his throne. Much of the main cast—those whose characters survived S2, that is—are returning, including the aforementioned D’Arcy, Cooke, Smith, Glynn-Carney, Ifans, and Mitchell. Also returning: Steve Toussaint as Corlys; Sonoya Mizuno as Mysaria; Fabien Frankel as Criston Cole; Matthew Needham as Larys; Jefferson Hall as Jason and Tyland Lannister; Harry Collett as Jacaerys; Bethany Antonia as Baela; Phoebe Campbell as Rhaena; Phia Saban as Helaena; Kurt Egyiawan as Orwyle; Kieran Bew as Hugh Hammer; Abubakar Salim as Alyn of Hull; Clinton Liberty as Addam of Hull; Tom Bennett as Ulf White; Freddie Fox as Gwayne Hightower; and Gayle Rankin as Alys Rivers. Joining the cast for S3 are James Norton as Ormund Hightower; Tommy Flanagan as Roderick Dustin; Dan Fogler as Torrhen Manderly; Tom Cullen as Luthor Largent; Joplin Sibtain as Jon Roxton; Barry Sloane as Adrian Redford; and Annie Shapero as Alysanne Blackwood. The third season of House of the Dragon premieres on HBO this June. Look, we know this story doesn’t end well for anyone. It’s Westeros. But we also know we can expect a wild ride. Jennifer Ouellette Senior Writer Jennifer Ouellette Senior Writer Jennifer is a senior writer at Ars Technica with a particular focus on where science meets culture, covering everything from physics and related interdisciplinary topics to her favorite films and TV series. Jennifer lives in Baltimore with her spouse, physicist Sean M. Carroll, and their two cats, Ariel and Caliban. 22 Comments It’s outright war for the Iron Throne in House of the Dragon S3 teaser “The king has abdicated his throne. A new line is coming. A new line of unsullied kings.” With HBO’s critically acclaimed A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms gearing up for its season finale on Sunday, it’s time to check in on that other Game of Thrones spinoff: the far darker House of the Dragon, which now has a suitably ominous teaser for its upcoming third season. (Spoilers for the first two seasons below.) The series is set nearly 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones, when dragons were still a fixture of Westeros, and chronicles the beginning of the end of House Targaryen’s reign. The primary source material is Fire and Blood, a fictional history of the Targaryen kings written by George R.R. Martin. As book readers know, those events culminated in a civil war and the extinction of the dragons—at least until Daenerys Targaryen came along. The first season spanned many years and featured some pretty significant time jumps, which required replacing the younger actors as their characters aged. For those who might need a refresher: King Viserys (Paddy Considine) died, and his second wife, Alicent (Olivia Cooke), conspired with her father, Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans), to crown her eldest son, Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney), as king instead of Viserys’ declared heir apparent, Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy). Even though she was technically the rightful heir, Rhaenyra actually seemed to be considering House Hightower’s conditions for concession—until the arrogant Prince Aemond (Ewan Mitchell), Alicent’s younger son, went after Rhaenyra’s young son, Lucerys (Elliot Grihault). Both dragonriders failed to control their dragons, and Aemon’s much bigger dragon, Vhagar, gobbled up poor Lucerys and his little dragon, Arrax, in mid-air. The season closed with Rhaenyra and her husband/uncle Daemon (Matt Smith) receiving the devastating news, effectively dashing any hope of a peaceful resolution. House of the Dragon has always taken a leisurely, more focused approach to its characters’ political maneuverings, interspersed with bursts of bloody violence, and S2 was no exception. But it opened with a bang: the infamous “Blood and Cheese” incident (well-known to book readers), in which assassins sent to take out Aemond as vengeance for Lucerys can’t find him and butcher Aegon’s eldest son instead. We lost a couple more dragons and several supporting characters in the ensuing chaos, and Aegon was so severely wounded that Aemond became regent—with no plan to relinquish the Iron Throne any time soon. Dance of Dragons = Death What we didn’t get to see: the spectacularly brutal Battle of the Gullet, the bloody conflict at sea that will now be a centerpiece action sequence for S3 after HBO trimmed S2’s episode count from 10 to eight. But the finale teed it up perfectly, as Rhaenyra finally declared outright dragon war (the nuclear option) following Aemond’s reckless destruction of Sharp Point. As for Aegon, he went into hiding in Braavos, intending to wait out the war before reclaiming his throne. Much of the main cast—those whose characters survived S2, that is—are returning, including the aforementioned D’Arcy, Cooke, Smith, Glynn-Carney, Ifans, and Mitchell. Also returning: Steve Toussaint as Corlys; Sonoya Mizuno as Mysaria; Fabien Frankel as Criston Cole; Matthew Needham as Larys; Jefferson Hall as Jason and Tyland Lannister; Harry Collett as Jacaerys; Bethany Antonia as Baela; Phoebe Campbell as Rhaena; Phia Saban as Helaena; Kurt Egyiawan as Orwyle; Kieran Bew as Hugh Hammer; Abubakar Salim as Alyn of Hull; Clinton Liberty as Addam of Hull; Tom Bennett as Ulf White; Freddie Fox as Gwayne Hightower; and Gayle Rankin as Alys Rivers. Joining the cast for S3 are James Norton as Ormund Hightower; Tommy Flanagan as Roderick Dustin; Dan Fogler as Torrhen Manderly; Tom Cullen as Luthor Largent; Joplin Sibtain as Jon Roxton; Barry Sloane as Adrian Redford; and Annie Shapero as Alysanne Blackwood. The third season of House of the Dragon premieres on HBO this June. Look, we know this story doesn’t end well for anyone. It’s Westeros. But we also know we can expect a wild ride. Ars Technica has been separating the signal from the noise for over 25 years. With our unique combination of technical savvy and wide-ranging interest in the technological arts and sciences, Ars is the trusted source in a sea of information. After all, you don’t need to know everything, only what’s important.
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[SOURCE: https://www.bbc.com/future-planet/natural-wonders] \| [TOKENS: 2551]
Natural WondersBreathtaking solar eclipse over glacier in PatagoniaLiam Man, a photographer from the UK, captures rare images of a solar eclipse over the remote Glacier Leones.Green GetawaysThe Swiss ski resort reinventing winterAs warming winters threaten the future of snow, Laax has launched some of Switzerland's most ambitious sustainability projects, from on-demand gondolas to CO2-neutral lifts.The remote village drawing stargazers from around the worldIn the Moon-like landscape of Hanle, the jet-black skies reveal otherworldly starry skies that lure travellers from far and wide. But can locals preserve the natural darkness?The US neighbourhood where cars are bannedIn Tempe, Arizona, Culdesac is reimagining US cities for people, not cars – and inviting travellers to explore its plazas, paseos and Mediterranean-inspired design.A day in Europe's most relaxed capital cityIn Oslo's Vulkan district, sustainability, style and everyday ease come together in a way that's making the Norwegian capital feel like Europe's most liveable city break.WatchThese wildlife photos won funniest of 2025The Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards crowned the funniest animal photos of the year 2025.Natural wondersWatch a Utahraptor pack leader fatally distract a GastoniaA Utahraptor distracts a member of a Gastonia herd, allowing another raptor to flip a Gastonia over and kill it.Natural wondersInjured Lusotitan fends off an aggressive TorvosaurusThe predators of an injured Lusotitan are aware of his weakness and waiting for the right moment to strike.Natural wondersWatch an incredible Lusotitan dinosaur mating ritualIn the prehistoric world, first impressions mattered, and sometimes a few moves could make all the difference.Natural wondersWatch a high-stakes battle of breeding seasonWhen breeding season arrives for the mega herd of Pachyrhinosaurus, the battles are fierce and unforgiving.Natural wondersThe secret behind the nature videos that calm millionsDiscover how a Pacific Northwest creator crafts serene viral clips that attract huge audiences worldwide.Natural wondersAlbertosaurus outsmarts prey to win the pack's respectA young Albertosaurus knows she can't take down a giant alone but she can guide her prey to the matriarch.Natural wondersWatch a fierce Albertosaurus matriarch assert dominanceIn a pack of carnivorous Albertosaurus, tensions flare when they haven't eaten for over a week.Natural wondersThe most venomous snake of Guyana’s Amazon rainforestExplorer Lucy Shepherd uncovers a host of predators, including the deadly Bushmaster snake, in Guyana’s Amazon rainforest.Natural wondersThe face-clawing sloth bear that scares tigersSloth bears are the world's deadliest bear and for humans, outrunning them is usually not an option.Natural wondersWhy do US train stations look so depressing?Compared to their European counterparts, US train stations can often feel like dingy basements.World of wonderWatch ferocious Utahraptors hunt in the forestWith its sharp claws, speed, and the ability to work in groups, the Utahraptor is a finely tuned killing machine.Natural wondersWatch Spinosaurus' fierce fight for food and survivalAfter outsmarting an agile prey in the river, Sobek must defend his catch from another Spinosaurus.Natural wondersWatch a cheetah up close as it chases its preyThe fastest animal on land rarely uses its top speed to capture prey. So how does a cheetah catch its target?Natural wondersAlligators and humans coexist in this high-end golf courseOn the east coast of the US, alligators and humans have learned to co-exist, most dramatically in golf courses.Natural wondersGreatest Standoff: T.rex vs TriceratopsWatch as a T.rex and fully-grown Triceratops face off in a brutal stand-off that shakes the earth.Natural wondersWatch water monitor lizards look for food in BangkokThese scavenger lizards have found a way to seek food in an urban metropolis like Bangkok.Natural wondersEven giant dinosaurs have a soft spotDisturbing the sleep of a Spinosaurus is a dangerous move, unless you're his family.Natural wondersClever baby otter uses rock to open musselThey are one of the few animals to master tool use, and this clever pup needs to learn how in order to be less dependent on its mother. Natural wondersWatch a T. rex ambush a young triceratopsPioneering special effects recreate the heart-stopping escape of an orphaned baby triceratops from a T. rex.Natural wondersMore stories8 hrs agoUK puffins in peril as winter storms threaten mass seabird 'wreck'Hundreds of dead and dying seabirds are washing up on British beaches.8 hrs ago23 hrs agoThe cities where you'll never see flight adsMunicipalities across the world are clearing their billboards of flight ads, SUVs, cruise ships and petrol cars in an attempt to cut emissions.23 hrs ago4 days agoWhy encroaching seawater is becoming a global problemFrom Bangladesh to The Gambia, sea salt is increasingly seeping into the freshwaters people need for drinking and producing food.4 days ago8 days agoTrump revokes landmark ruling that greenhouse gases endanger public healthThe White House calls it the largest deregulation in US history, but environmentalists say it will prove costly for Americans.8 days ago12 Feb 2026How China became fixated on cloud seedingChina hopes to increasingly control when and where it rains. How is it done and does cloud seeding actually work?12 Feb 202611 Feb 2026Are wetter winters in UK and frequent flooding here to stay?Many places across the UK have experienced their wettest January in more than 100 years.11 Feb 202610 Feb 2026More solar farms on the way after record renewables auctionThe results have been welcomed by climate and clean energy groups but could face opposition from local communities. 10 Feb 20269 Feb 2026Businesses face extinction unless they protect nature, major report warnsExperts call for urgent action by businesses to restore the natural systems that keep them running.9 Feb 20269 Feb 2026How to get rare earths without mining rockAs nations posture over access to rare earth deposits, scientists say these coveted materials are hiding in plain sight – and can be harvested without any conventional mining at all.9 Feb 2026... Natural Wonders Breathtaking solar eclipse over glacier in Patagonia Liam Man, a photographer from the UK, captures rare images of a solar eclipse over the remote Glacier Leones. Green Getaways The Swiss ski resort reinventing winter As warming winters threaten the future of snow, Laax has launched some of Switzerland's most ambitious sustainability projects, from on-demand gondolas to CO2-neutral lifts. The remote village drawing stargazers from around the world In the Moon-like landscape of Hanle, the jet-black skies reveal otherworldly starry skies that lure travellers from far and wide. But can locals preserve the natural darkness? The US neighbourhood where cars are banned In Tempe, Arizona, Culdesac is reimagining US cities for people, not cars – and inviting travellers to explore its plazas, paseos and Mediterranean-inspired design. A day in Europe's most relaxed capital city In Oslo's Vulkan district, sustainability, style and everyday ease come together in a way that's making the Norwegian capital feel like Europe's most liveable city break. Watch These wildlife photos won funniest of 2025 The Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards crowned the funniest animal photos of the year 2025. Watch a Utahraptor pack leader fatally distract a Gastonia A Utahraptor distracts a member of a Gastonia herd, allowing another raptor to flip a Gastonia over and kill it. Injured Lusotitan fends off an aggressive Torvosaurus The predators of an injured Lusotitan are aware of his weakness and waiting for the right moment to strike. Watch an incredible Lusotitan dinosaur mating ritual In the prehistoric world, first impressions mattered, and sometimes a few moves could make all the difference. Watch a high-stakes battle of breeding season When breeding season arrives for the mega herd of Pachyrhinosaurus, the battles are fierce and unforgiving. The secret behind the nature videos that calm millions Discover how a Pacific Northwest creator crafts serene viral clips that attract huge audiences worldwide. Albertosaurus outsmarts prey to win the pack's respect A young Albertosaurus knows she can't take down a giant alone but she can guide her prey to the matriarch. Watch a fierce Albertosaurus matriarch assert dominance In a pack of carnivorous Albertosaurus, tensions flare when they haven't eaten for over a week. The most venomous snake of Guyana’s Amazon rainforest Explorer Lucy Shepherd uncovers a host of predators, including the deadly Bushmaster snake, in Guyana’s Amazon rainforest. The face-clawing sloth bear that scares tigers Sloth bears are the world's deadliest bear and for humans, outrunning them is usually not an option. Why do US train stations look so depressing? Compared to their European counterparts, US train stations can often feel like dingy basements. Watch ferocious Utahraptors hunt in the forest With its sharp claws, speed, and the ability to work in groups, the Utahraptor is a finely tuned killing machine. Watch Spinosaurus' fierce fight for food and survival After outsmarting an agile prey in the river, Sobek must defend his catch from another Spinosaurus. Watch a cheetah up close as it chases its prey The fastest animal on land rarely uses its top speed to capture prey. So how does a cheetah catch its target? Alligators and humans coexist in this high-end golf course On the east coast of the US, alligators and humans have learned to co-exist, most dramatically in golf courses. Greatest Standoff: T.rex vs Triceratops Watch as a T.rex and fully-grown Triceratops face off in a brutal stand-off that shakes the earth. Watch water monitor lizards look for food in Bangkok These scavenger lizards have found a way to seek food in an urban metropolis like Bangkok. Even giant dinosaurs have a soft spot Disturbing the sleep of a Spinosaurus is a dangerous move, unless you're his family. Clever baby otter uses rock to open mussel They are one of the few animals to master tool use, and this clever pup needs to learn how in order to be less dependent on its mother. Watch a T. rex ambush a young triceratops Pioneering special effects recreate the heart-stopping escape of an orphaned baby triceratops from a T. rex. More stories UK puffins in peril as winter storms threaten mass seabird 'wreck' Hundreds of dead and dying seabirds are washing up on British beaches. The cities where you'll never see flight ads Municipalities across the world are clearing their billboards of flight ads, SUVs, cruise ships and petrol cars in an attempt to cut emissions. Why encroaching seawater is becoming a global problem From Bangladesh to The Gambia, sea salt is increasingly seeping into the freshwaters people need for drinking and producing food. Trump revokes landmark ruling that greenhouse gases endanger public health The White House calls it the largest deregulation in US history, but environmentalists say it will prove costly for Americans. How China became fixated on cloud seeding China hopes to increasingly control when and where it rains. How is it done and does cloud seeding actually work? Are wetter winters in UK and frequent flooding here to stay? Many places across the UK have experienced their wettest January in more than 100 years. More solar farms on the way after record renewables auction The results have been welcomed by climate and clean energy groups but could face opposition from local communities. Businesses face extinction unless they protect nature, major report warns Experts call for urgent action by businesses to restore the natural systems that keep them running. How to get rare earths without mining rock As nations posture over access to rare earth deposits, scientists say these coveted materials are hiding in plain sight – and can be harvested without any conventional mining at all. Copyright 2026 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.
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[SOURCE: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Markus_Persson#cite_note-:13-4] \| [TOKENS: 3525]
Contents Markus Persson Markus Alexej Persson (/ˈpɪərsən/ ⓘ PEER-sən, Swedish: [ˈmǎrːkɵs ˈpæ̌ːʂɔn] ⓘ; born 1 June 1979), known by the pseudonym Notch, is a Swedish video game programmer and designer. He is the creator of Minecraft, the best-selling video game in history. He founded the video game development company Mojang Studios in 2009. Persson began developing video games at an early age. His commercial success began after he published an early version of Minecraft in 2009. Prior to the game's official retail release in 2011, it had sold over four million copies. After this point Persson stood down as the lead designer and transferred his creative authority to Jens Bergensten. In September 2014 Persson announced his intention to leave Mojang, and in November of that year the company was sold to Microsoft reportedly for US$2.5 billion, which made him a billionaire. Since 2016 several of Persson's posts on Twitter regarding feminism, race, and transgender rights have caused public controversies. He has been described as "an increasingly polarizing figure, tweeting offensive statements regarding race, the LGBTQ community, gender, and other topics." In an effort to distance itself from Persson, Microsoft removed mentions of his name from Minecraft (excluding one instance in the game's end credits) and did not invite him to the game's tenth anniversary celebration. In 2015 he co-founded a separate game studio called Rubberbrain, which was relaunched in 2024 as Bitshift Entertainment. Early life Markus Alexej Persson was born in Stockholm, Sweden, to a Finnish mother, Ritva, and a Swedish father, Birger, on 1 June 1979. He has one sister. He grew up in Edsbyn until he was seven years old, when his family moved back to Stockholm. In Edsbyn, Persson's father worked for the railroad, and his mother was a nurse. He spent much time outdoors in Edsbyn, exploring the woods with his friends. When Persson was about seven years old, his parents divorced, and he and his sister lived with their mother. His father moved to a cabin in the countryside. Persson said in an interview that they experienced food insecurity around once a month. Persson lost contact with his father for several years after the divorce. According to Persson, his father suffered from depression, bipolar disorder, alcoholism, and medication abuse, and went to jail for robberies. While his father had somewhat recovered during Persson's early life, his father relapsed, contributing to the divorce. His sister also experimented with drugs and ran away from home. He had gained interest in video games at an early age. His father was "a really big nerd", who built his own modem and taught Persson to use the family's Commodore 128. On it, Persson played bootleg games and loaded in various type-in programs from computer magazines with the help of his sister. The first game he purchased with his own money was The Bard's Tale. He began programming on his father's Commodore 128 home computer at the age of seven. He produced his first game at the age of eight, a text-based adventure game. By 1994 Persson knew he wanted to become a video game developer, but his teachers advised him to study graphic design, which he did from ages 15 to 18. Persson, although introverted, was well-liked by his peers, but after entering secondary school was a "loner" and reportedly had only one friend. He spent most of his spare time with games and programming at home. He managed to reverse-engineer the Doom engine, which he continued to take great pride in as of 2014[update]. He never finished high school, but was reportedly a good student. Career Persson started his career working as a web designer. He later found employment at Game Federation, where he met Rolf Jansson. The pair worked in their spare time to build the 2006 video game Wurm Online. The game was released through a new entity, "Mojang Specifications AB". Persson left the project in late 2007. As Persson wanted to reuse the name "Mojang", Jansson agreed to rename the company to Onetoofree AB. Between 2004 and 2009 Persson worked as a game developer for Midasplayer (later known as King). There, he worked as a programmer, mostly building browser games made in Flash. He later worked as a programmer for jAlbum. Prior to creating Minecraft, Persson developed multiple, small games. He also entered a number of game design competitions and participated in discussions on the TIGSource forums, a web forum for independent game developers. One of Persson's more notable personal projects was called RubyDung, an isometric three-dimensional base-building game like RollerCoaster Tycoon and Dwarf Fortress. While working on RubyDung, Persson experimented with a first-person view mode similar to that found in Dungeon Keeper. However, he felt the graphics were too pixelated and omitted this mode. In 2009 Persson found inspiration in Infiniminer, a block-based open-ended mining game. Infiniminer heavily influenced his future work on RubyDung, and was behind Persson's reasoning for returning the first-person mode, the "blocky" visual style and the block-building fundamentals to the game. RubyDung is the earliest known Minecraft prototype created by Persson. On 17 May 2009 Persson released the original edition (later called "Classic version") of Minecraft on the TIGSource forums. He regularly updated the game based on feedback from TIGSource users. Persson released several new versions of Minecraft throughout 2009 and 2010, going through several phases of development including Survival Test, Indev, and Infdev. On 30 June 2010 Persson released the game's Alpha version. While working on the pre-Alpha version of Minecraft, Persson continued working at jAlbum. In 2010, after the release and subsequent success of Minecraft's Alpha version, Persson moved from a full-time role to a part-time role at jAlbum. He left jAlbum later that same year. In September 2010 Persson travelled to Valve Corporation's headquarters in Bellevue, Washington, United States, where he took part in a programming exercise and met Gabe Newell. Persson was subsequently offered a job at Valve, which he turned down in order to continue work on Minecraft. On 20 December 2010 Minecraft moved into its beta phase and began expanding to other platforms, including mobile. In January 2011 Minecraft reached one million registered accounts. Six months afterwards, it reached ten million. The game has sold over four million copies by 7 November 2011. Mojang held the first Minecon from 18 to 19 November 2011 to celebrate its full release, and subsequently made it an annual event. Following this, on 11 December 2011, Persson transferred creative control of Minecraft to Jens Bergensten and began working on another game title, 0x10c, although he reportedly abandoned the project around 2013. In 2013 Mojang recorded revenues of $330 million and profits of $129 million. Persson has stated that, due to the intense media attention and public pressure, he became exhausted with running Minecraft and Mojang. In a September 2014 blog post he shared his realization that he "didn't have the connection to my fans I thought I had", that he had "become a symbol", and that he did not wish to be responsible for Mojang's increasingly large operation. In June 2014 Persson tweeted "Anyone want to buy my share of Mojang so I can move on with my life? Getting hate for trying to do the right thing is not my gig", reportedly partly as a joke. Persson controlled a 71% stake in Mojang at the time. The offer attracted significant interest from Activision Blizzard, EA, and Microsoft. Forbes later reported that Microsoft wanted to purchase the game as a "tax dodge" to turn their taxable excess liquid cash into other assets. In September 2014 Microsoft agreed to purchase Mojang for $2.5 billion, making Persson a billionaire. He then left the company after the deal was finalised in November. Since leaving Mojang, Persson has worked on several small projects. On 23 June 2014 he founded a company with Porsér called Rubberbrain AB; the company had no games by 2021, despite spending SEK 60 million. The company was relaunched as Bitshift Entertainment, LLC on 28 March 2024. Persson expressed interest in creating a new video game studio in 2020, and in developing virtual reality games. He has also since created a series of narrative-driven immersive events called ".party()", which uses extensive visual effects and has been hosted in multiple cities. At the beginning of 2025 Persson decided to create a spiritual successor to Minecraft, referred to as "Minecraft 2", in response to the results of a poll on X. However, after speaking to his team, he shortly went against this in favour of developing the other choice on his Twitter poll, a roguelike titled Levers and Chests. Games Persson's most popular creation is the survival sandbox game Minecraft, which was first publicly available on 17 May 2009 and fully released on 18 November 2011. Persson left his job as a game developer to work on Minecraft full-time until completion. In early 2011, Mojang AB sold the one millionth copy of the game, several months later their second, and several more their third. Mojang hired several new staff members for the Minecraft team, while Persson passed the lead developer role to Jens Bergensten. He stopped working on Minecraft after a deal with Microsoft to sell Mojang for $2.5 billion. This brought his net worth to US$1.5 billion. Persson and Jakob Porsér came up with the idea for Scrolls including elements from board games and collectible card games. Persson noted that he will not be actively involved in development of the game and that Porsér will be developing it. Persson revealed on his Tumblr blog on 5 August 2011 that he was being sued by a Swedish law firm representing Bethesda Softworks over the trademarked name of Scrolls, claiming that it conflicted with their The Elder Scrolls series of games. On 17 August 2011 Persson challenged Bethesda to a Quake 3 tournament to decide the outcome of the naming dispute. On 27 September 2011 Persson confirmed that the lawsuit was going to court. ZeniMax Media, owner of Bethesda Softworks, announced the lawsuit's settlement in March 2012. The settlement allowed Mojang to continue using the Scrolls trademark. In 2018, Scrolls was made available free of charge and renamed to Caller's Bane. Cliffhorse is a humorous game programmed in two hours using the Unity game engine and free assets. The game took inspiration from Skyrim's physics engine, "the more embarrassing minimum-effort Greenlight games", Goat Simulator, and Big Rigs: Over the Road Racing. The game was released to Microsoft Windows systems as an early access and honourware game on the first day of E3 2014, instructing users to donate Dogecoin to "buy" the game before downloading it. The game accumulated over 280,000 dogecoins. Following the end to his involvement with Minecraft, Persson began pre-production of an alternate reality space game set in the distant future in March 2012. On April Fools' Day Mojang launched a satirical website for Mars Effect (parody of Mass Effect), citing the lawsuit with Bethesda as an inspiration. However, the gameplay elements remained true and on 4 April, Mojang revealed 0x10c (pronounced "Ten to the C") as a space sandbox title. Persson officially halted game production in August 2013. However, C418, the composer of the game's soundtrack (as well as that of Minecraft), released an album of the work he had made for the game. In 2013, Persson made a free game called Shambles in the Unity game engine. Persson has also participated in several Ludum Dare 48-hour game making competitions. Personal life In 2011 Persson married Elin Zetterstrand, whom he had dated for four years before. Zetterstrand was a former moderator on the Minecraft forums. They had a daughter together, but by mid-2012, he began to see little of her. On 15 August 2012 he announced that he and his wife had filed for divorce. The divorce was finalised later that year. On 14 December 2011 Persson's father committed suicide with a handgun after drinking heavily. In an interview with The New Yorker, Persson said of his father: When I decided I wanted to quit my day job and work on my own games, he was the only person who supported my decision. He was proud of me and made sure I knew. When I added the monsters to Minecraft, he told me that the dark caves became too scary for him. But I think that was the only true criticism I ever heard from him. Persson later admitted that he himself suffered from depression and various highs and lows in his mood. Persson has criticised the stance of large game companies on piracy. He once stated that "piracy is not theft", viewing unauthorised downloads as potential future customers. Persson stated himself to be a member of the Pirate Party of Sweden in 2011. He is also a member of Mensa. He has donated to numerous charities, including Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders). Under his direction, Mojang spent a week developing Catacomb Snatch for the Humble Indie Bundle and raised US$458,248 for charity. He also donated $250,000 to the Electronic Frontier Foundation in 2012. In 2011 he gave $3 million in dividends back to Mojang employees. According to Forbes, his net worth in 2023 was around $1.2 billion. In 2014 Persson was one of the biggest taxpayers in Sweden. Around 2014, he lived in a multi-level penthouse in Östermalm, Stockholm, an area he described as "where the rich people live". In December 2014 Persson purchased a home in Trousdale Estates, a neighbourhood in Beverly Hills, California, in the United States, for $70 million, a record sales price for Beverly Hills at the time. Persson reportedly outbid Beyoncé and Jay-Z for the property. Persson began receiving criticism for political and social opinions he expressed on social media as early as 2016. November 30, 2017 In 2017, he proposed a heterosexual pride holiday, and wrote that those who opposed the idea "deserve to be shot." After facing backlash, he deleted the tweets and rescinded his statements, writing, "So yeah, it's about pride of daring to express, not about pride of being who you are. I get it now." Later in the year, he wrote that feminism is a "social disease" and called the video game developer and feminist Zoë Quinn a "cunt", although he was generally critical of the GamerGate movement. He has described intersectional feminism as a "framework for bigotry" and the use of the word mansplaining as being sexist. Also in 2017, Persson tweeted that "It's okay to be white". Later that year, he stated that he believed in the Pizzagate conspiracy theory. In 2019, he tweeted referencing QAnon, saying "Q is legit. Don't trust the media." Later in 2019, he tweeted in response to a pro-transgender internet meme that, "You are absolutely evil if you want to encourage delusion. What happened to not stigmatizing mental illness?" He then also promoted claims that people were fined for "using the wrong pronoun". However, after facing backlash, he tweeted a day afterwards that he had "no idea what [being trans is] like of course, but it's inspiring as hell when people open up and choose to actually be who they know themselves as. Not because it's a cool choice, because it's a big step. I gues [sic] that's actually cool nvm". Later that year, Microsoft removed two mentions of Persson's name in the "19w13a" snapshot of Minecraft and did not invite him to the 10-year anniversary celebration of the game. A spokesperson for Microsoft stated that his views "do not reflect those of Microsoft or Mojang". He is still mentioned in the End Poem ("a flat, infinite world created by a man called Markus").[citation needed] Awards References External links
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[SOURCE: https://www.fast.ai/posts/2023-12-12-launch.html] \| [TOKENS: 2446]
A new old kind of R&D lab Jeremy Howard December 12, 2023 On this page tl;dr Jeremy Howard (founding CEO, previously co-founder of Kaggle and fast.ai) and Eric Ries (founding director, previously creator of Lean Startup and the Long-Term Stock Exchange) today launched Answer.AI, a new kind of AI R&D lab which creates practical end-user products based on foundational research breakthroughs. The creation of Answer.AI is supported by an investment of USD10m from Decibel VC. Answer.AI will be a fully-remote team of deep-tech generalists—the world’s very best, regardless of where they live, what school they went to, or any other meaningless surface feature. A new R&D lab In 1831 Michael Faraday showed the world how to harness electricity. Suddenly there was, quite literally, a new source of power in the world. He later found the basis of the unification of light and magnetism, and knew he was onto something big: “I happen to have discovered a direct relation between magnetism and light, also electricity and light, and the field it opens is so large and I think rich.” Michael Faraday; letter to Christian Schoenbein But it wasn’t quite clear how to harness this power. What kinds of products and services could now be created that couldn’t before? What could now be made far cheaper, more efficient, and more accessible? One man set out to understand this, and in 1876 he put together a new kind of R&D lab, which he called the “Invention Lab”: a lab that would figure out the fundamental research needed to tame electricity, and the applied development needed to make it useful in practice. You might have heard of the man: his name was Thomas Edison. And the organization he created turned into a company you would know: General Electric. Today, we find ourselves in a similar situation. There’s a new source of power in the world—artificial intelligence. And, like before, it’s not quite clear how to harness this power. Where are all the AI-powered products and services that make our lives and work dramatically easier and more pleasant? To create these AI-powered products and services, we’ve created a new R&D lab, called Answer.AI. Answer.AI will figure out the fundamental research needed to tame AI, and the development path needed to make it useful in practice. An iterative path to harnessing AI Harnessing AI requires not just low-level computer science and mathematical research, but also deep thinking about what practical applications can take advantage of this new power. The “D” in “R&D” is critical: it’s only by considering the development of practical applications that the correct research directions can be targeted. That’s why Answer.AI is built on the work of experts in both research and development. Co-founders Jeremy Howard (that’s me!) and Eric Ries have created pioneering ideas in each of these areas. I co-founded fast.ai, where I have worked for the last 7 years on research into how to best make AI more accessible, particularly through transfer learning and fine tuning. I’ve been working with machine learning for over 30 years, including creating the ULMFiT method of fine-tuning large language models which is used as the basis of all popular language models today, including OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini. I have developed the longest running online courses on Deep Learning in the world, in which I show students how to start with simple models and then iteratively improve them all the way to the state of the art. I’ve known Eric for years, and there’s no-one I trust or respect more, which is why I asked him to serve as the founding director of Answer.AI. Eric has dedicated the last 10 years of his life to improving how companies operate, serve customers, and are governed. He is the creator of the Lean Startup movement, which is the basis of how most startups build products and scale their organizations. His work focuses on development: how can organizations go from an idea to a sustainable, mission-driven, and profitable product in practice. One of his key insights was to create and then iteratively improve a Minimal Viable Product (MVP). I asked Eric for his thoughts on Answer.AI’s unique approach to R&D, and he summarised better than I ever could, so I’ll just quote his reply here directly: “People think that the order is research→development, and that therefore an R&D lab does “R” and then “D”. That is, the research informs the development, and so being practical means having researchers and developers. But this is wrong, and leads to a lot of bad research, because development should inform research and vice-versa. So having development goals is a way to do more effective research, if you set that out as your north star.” Eric is also an expert on governance and how companies should be led in order to align profit and increased human flourishing. He created the Long-Term Stock Exchange (LTSE), the first fundamentally new US Stock Exchange in over 50 years. LTSE mandates that listed companies and likeminded investors work towards long-term value, rather than just short-term profit maximization. Eric serves as the Chairman of LTSE, meaning he is not only up to date on the right long-term governance frameworks, but on the cutting edge of inventing new systems. It will take years for Answer.AI to harness AI’s full potential, which requires the kind of strategic foresight and long-term tenacity which is hard to maintain in today’s business environment. Eric has been writing a book on exactly this topic, and his view is that the key foundation is to have the right corporate governance in place. He’s helped me ensure that Answer.AI will always reflect my vision and strategy for harnessing AI. We’re doing this by by setting up a for-profit organization that focuses on long-term impact. After all, over a long-enough timeframe, maximizing shareholder value and maximizing societal benefits are entirely aligned. Whilst Eric and I bring very different (and complementary) skills and experiences to the table, we bring the same basic idea of how to solve really hard problems: solve smaller easier problems in simple ways first, and create a ladder where each rung is a useful step of itself, whilst also getting a little closer to the end goal. Our research platform Companies like OpenAI and Anthropic have been working on developing Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). And they’ve done an astonishing job of that — we’re now at the point where experts in the field are claiming that “Artificial General Intelligence Is Already Here”. At Answer.AI we are not working on building AGI. Instead, our interest is in effectively using the models that already exist. Figuring out what practically useful applications can be built on top of the foundation models that already exist is a huge undertaking, and I believe it is receiving insufficient attention. My view is that the right way to build Answer.AI’s R&D capabilities is by bringing together a very small number of curious, enthusiastic, technically brilliant generalists. Having huge teams of specialists creates an enormous amount of organizational friction and complexity. But with the help of modern AI tools I’ve seen that it’s possible for a single generalist with a strong understanding of the foundations to create effective solutions to challenging problems, using unfamiliar languages, tools, and libraries (indeed I’ve done this myself many times!) I think people will be very surprised to discover what a small team of nimble, creative, open-minded people can accomplish. At Answer.AI we will be doing genuinely original research into questions such as how to best fine-tune smaller models to make them as practical as possible, and how to reduce the constraints that currently hold back people from using AI more widely. We’re interested in solving things that may be too small for the big labs to care about-—but our view is that it’s the collection of these small things matter a great deal in practice. This informs how we think about safety. Whilst AI is becoming more and more capable, the dangers to society from poor algorithmic decision making have been with us for years. We believe in learning from these years of experience, and thinking deeply about how to align the applications of models with the needs of people today. At fast.ai three years ago we created a pioneering course on Practical Data Ethics, as well as dedicating a chapter of our book to these issues. We are committed to continuing to work towards ethical and beneficial applications of AI. From fast.ai to Answer.AI Rachel Thomas and I realised over seven years ago that deep learning and neural networks were on their way to becoming one of the most important technologies in history, but they were also on their way to being controlled and understood by a tiny exclusive sliver of society. We were worried about centralization and control of something so critical, so we founded fast.ai with the mission of making AI more accessible. We succeeded beyond our wildest dreams, and today fast.ai’s AI courses are the longest-running, and perhaps most loved, in the world. We built the first library to make PyTorch easier to use and more powerful (fastai), built the fastest image model training system in the world (according to the Dawnbench competition), and created the 3-step training methodology now used by all major LLMs (ULMFiT). Everything we have created for the last 7 years was free—fast.ai was an entirely altruistic endeavour in which everything we built was gifted to everybody. I’m now of the opinion that this is the time for rejuvenation and renewal of our mission. Indeed, the mission of Answer.AI is the same as fast.ai: to make AI more accessible. But the method is different. Answer.AI’s method will be to use AI to create all kinds of products and services that are really valuable and useful in practice. We want to research new ways of building AI products that serve customers that can’t be served by current approaches. This will allow us to make money, which we can use to expand into more and bigger opportunities, and use to drive down costs through better efficiency, creating a positive feedback loop of more and more value from AI. We’ll be spending all our time looking at how to make the market size bigger, rather than how to increase our share of it. There’s no moat, and we don’t even care! This goes to the heart of our key premise: creating a long-term profitable company, and making a positive impact on society overall, can be entirely aligned goals. We don’t really know what we’re doing If you’ve read this far, then I’ll tell you the honest truth: we don’t actually know what we’re doing. Artificial intelligence is a vast and complex topic, and I’m very skeptical of anyone that claims they’ve got it all figured out. Indeed, Faraday felt the same way about electricity—he wasn’t even sure it was going to be of any import: “I am busy just now again on Electro-Magnetism and think I have got hold of a good thing but can’t say; it may be a weed instead of a fish that after all my labour I may at last pull up.” Faraday 1831 letter to R. Phillips But it’s OK to be uncertain. Eric and I believe that the best way to develop valuable stuff built on top of modern AI models is to try lots of things, see what works out, and then gradually improve bit by bit from there. As Faraday said, “A man who is certain he is right is almost sure to be wrong.” Answer.AI is an R&D lab for people who aren’t certain they’re right, but they’ll work damn hard to get it right eventually. This isn’t really a new kind of R&D lab. Edison did it before, nearly 150 years ago. So I suppose the best we can do is to say it’s a new old kind of R&D lab. And if we do as well as GE, then I guess that’ll be pretty good.
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[SOURCE: https://arstechnica.com/cars/2026/02/zero-grip-maximum-fun-a-practical-guide-to-getting-into-amateur-ice-racing/] \| [TOKENS: 4552]
not a zamboni Zero grip, maximum fun: A practical guide to getting into amateur ice racing Where we’re racing, we don’t need roads. Tim Stevens – Feb 19, 2026 11:26 am \| 39 To drive on ice, you just need the right tires. Credit: Tim Stevens To drive on ice, you just need the right tires. Credit: Tim Stevens Text settings Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only Learn more Minimize to nav In Formula One, grip is everything. The world’s best engineers devote their careers to designing cars that maximize downforce and grip to squeeze every bit of performance out of a set of four humble tires. These cars punish their drivers by slinging them at six Gs through corners and offer similar levels of abuse in braking. It’s all wildly impressive, but I’ve long maintained that those drivers are not the ones having the most fun. When it comes to sheer enjoyment, grip is highly overrated, and if you want proof of that, you need to try ice racing. Should you be lucky enough to live somewhere that gets cold enough consistently enough, all you need is a good set of tires and a car that’s willing and able. That, of course, and a desire to spend more time driving sideways than straight. I’ve been ice racing for well over 20 years now, and I’m here to tell you that there’s no greater thrill on four wheels than sliding through a corner a few inches astern of a hard-charging competitor. Here’s how you can get started. For street legal classes, you don’t even need a roll cage. Just the right tires and the right attitude. Credit: Tim Stevens For street legal classes, you don’t even need a roll cage. Just the right tires and the right attitude. Credit: Tim Stevens Ice racing basics There are certainly plenty of professionals out there who have dabbled in or got their start in ice racing, F1 legend Alain Prost and touring car maestro Peter Cunningham being two notable examples. And a European ice racing series called Trophée Andros formerly challenged some of the world’s top professionals to race across a series of purpose-built frozen tracks in Europe and even Quebec. These days, however, ice racing is an almost entirely amateur pursuit, a low-temp, low-grip hobby where the biggest prize you’re likely to bring home on any given Sunday is a smile and maybe a little trophy for the mantel. That said, there are numerous types of ice racing. The most common and accessible is time trials, basically autocrosses on ice. The Sports Car Club of Vermont ice time trial series is a reliable, well-run example, but you’ll find plenty of others, too. Some other clubs step it up by hosting wheel-to-wheel racing on plowed ovals. Lakes Region Ice Racing Club in Moultonborough, New Hampshire, is a long-running group that has been blessed with enough ice lately to keep racing even as temperatures have increased. At the top tier, though, you’re looking at clubs that plow full-on road courses on the ice, groups like the Adirondack Motor Enthusiast Club (AMEC), based in and around the Adirondack Park. Established in 1954, this is among the oldest ice racing clubs in the world and the one I’ve been lucky to be a member of since 2002. Will any other discipline of motorsport teach you as much about car control? Tim Stevens Will any other discipline of motorsport teach you as much about car control? Tim Stevens Not every class is for street legal cars. Tim Stevens Not every class is for street legal cars. Tim Stevens An AMEC drivers’ meeting. This is where the officials let you know what will and won’t be tolerated. Tim Stevens An AMEC drivers’ meeting. This is where the officials let you know what will and won’t be tolerated. Tim Stevens Not every class is for street legal cars. Tim Stevens An AMEC drivers’ meeting. This is where the officials let you know what will and won’t be tolerated. Tim Stevens AMEC offers numerous classes, providing eligibility for everything from a bone-stock Miata to purpose-built sprint cars that look like they made a wrong turn off a dirt oval. Dedicated volunteers plow courses on lakes throughout the ADK, tirelessly searching for ice of sufficient depth and quality. Different clubs have different requirements, but most like to see a foot of solid, clean ice. That may not sound like much, but according to the US Army Corps of Engineers, it’s plenty for eight-ton trucks. That’s enough to support not only the 60 to 100 racers that AMEC routinely sees on any frigid Sunday but also the numerous tow rigs, trailers, and plow trucks that support the action. How do you get started? All you need is a set of tires. Tires Tires are the most talked-about component of any car competing on the ice, and for good reason. Clubs have different regulations for what is and is not legal for competition, but in general, you can lump ice racing tires into three categories. The first is unstudded, street-legal tires, such as Bridgestone Blizzacks, Continental WinterContacts, and Michelin X-Ices. These tires generally have chunky, aggressive treads, generous siping, and squishy compounds. Modern snow tires like these are marvelous things, and when there’s a rough surface on the ice or some embedded snow, an unstudded tire can be extremely competitive, even keeping up with a street-legal studded tire. These tires, like the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 and the Pirelli Winter Ice Zero, take the chunky, aggressive tread pattern of a normal snow tire and embed some number of metallic studs. These tiny studs, which typically protrude only 1 millimeter from the tire surface, provide a massive boost in grip on smooth, polished ice. Tim races on Nokian Hakka 10 tires, which are a street-legal studded winter tire. Credit: Tim Stevens Tim races on Nokian Hakka 10 tires, which are a street-legal studded winter tire. Credit: Tim Stevens Finally, there is what is broadly called a “race stud” tire, which is anything not legal for road use. These tires range from hand-made bolt tires, put together by people who have a lot of patience and who don’t mind the smell of tire sealant, to purpose-built race rubber of the sort you’ll see on a World Rally car snow stage. These tires offer massive amounts of grip—so much so that the feel they deliver is more like driving on dirt than on ice. Unless you DIY it, the cost typically increases substantially as well. For that reason, going to grippier tires doesn’t necessarily mean more fun for your dollar, but there are plenty of opinions on where you’ll find the sweet spot of smiles per mile. Driver skills The other major factor in finding success on the ice is driver skill. If you have some experience in low-grip, car-control-focused driving like rally or drift, you’ll have a head start over someone who’s starting fresh. But if I had a dollar for every rally maestro or drifter I’ve seen swagger their way out onto the ice and then wedge their car straight into the first snowbank, I’d have at least five or six extra dollars to my name. Ice racing is probably the purest and most challenging form of low-grip driving. On ice, the performance envelope of a normal car on normal tires is extremely small. Driving fast on ice, then, means learning how to make your car do what you want, even when you’re far outside of that envelope. There are many techniques involved, but it all starts with getting comfortable with entering your car into a slide and sustaining it. Learning to balance your car in a moderate drift, dancing between terminal understeer (plowing into the snowbank nose-first) and extreme oversteer (spinning into the snowbank tail-first), is key. That comfort simply takes time. Reading the ice The condition of the track changes constantly. Credit: Tim Stevens The condition of the track changes constantly. Credit: Tim Stevens Once you figure out how to keep your car going in the right direction, and once you stop making sedan-shaped holes in snowbanks, the next trick is to learn how to read the ice. The grip level of the ice constantly evolves throughout the day. The street-legal tires tend to polish it off, wearing down rougher sections into smoothly polished patches with extremely low grip. The race studs, on the other hand, chew it up again, creating a heavily textured surface. If you’re on the less extreme sorts of tires, you’ll find the most grip on that rough, unused ice. In a race stud, you want to seek out smooth, clean ice because it will give your studs better purchase. If you’re familiar with road racing, it’s a little like running a rain line: not necessarily driving the shortest path around, but instead taking the one that offers the most grip. Imagine a rain line that changes every lap and you start to get the picture. How can I try it? Intrigued? The good news is that ice racing is among the most accessible and affordable forms of motorsport on the planet, possibly second only to autocrossing. Costs vary widely, but in my club, AMEC, a full day of racing costs $70. That’s for three heat races and a practice session. Again, all you need is a set of snow tires, which will last the full season if you don’t abuse them. The bad news, of course, is that you need to be close to an ice racing club. They’re getting harder and harder to find, and active clubs generally have shorter seasons with fewer events. If you can’t find one locally, you may need to travel, which increases the cost and commitment substantially. If you don’t live where the lakes freeze, you’ll have to travel. Tim Stevens If you don’t live where the lakes freeze, you’ll have to travel. Tim Stevens You might not need a cage in some classes, but it’s still wheel-to-wheel racing, and that sometimes leads to contact. Tim Stevens You might not need a cage in some classes, but it’s still wheel-to-wheel racing, and that sometimes leads to contact. Tim Stevens If the ice can support the weight of the trucks that carve out the course, it won’t mind a few cars racing on it. Tim Stevens If the ice can support the weight of the trucks that carve out the course, it won’t mind a few cars racing on it. Tim Stevens You might not need a cage in some classes, but it’s still wheel-to-wheel racing, and that sometimes leads to contact. Tim Stevens If the ice can support the weight of the trucks that carve out the course, it won’t mind a few cars racing on it. Tim Stevens If cost is no issue, you certainly have more opportunities. We’ve already reported on McLaren’s program, but it’s not alone. Exotic brands like Ferrari and Lamborghini also offer winter driving programs, where you can wheel amazing cars in glamorous places like St. Moritz and Livigno. The cost is very much in the “if you have to ask” category. Dirtfish, one of the world’s greatest rally schools, also offers an ice-driving program in Wisconsin, starting at about $2,000 for a single day. This is a great, if expensive, way to get a feel for the skills you’ll need on ice. And if you just want the most seat time, look for programs like Lapland Ice Driving or Ice Drive Sweden. The northern wilds of Sweden and Finland are full of frozen lakes where clubs plow out full race courses, sometimes repeating Formula One circuits. If you have the funds, you can rent any manner of sports car and run it sideways all day long on proper studded tires. Whatever it costs and whatever you have to do to make it happen, ice racing is well worth the effort. I’ve been lucky to drive a long list of amazing cars in amazing places, but nothing comes close to the joy of wheeling my 20-year-old Subaru around a frozen lake. 39 Comments Zero grip, maximum fun: A practical guide to getting into amateur ice racing Where we’re racing, we don’t need roads. In Formula One, grip is everything. The world’s best engineers devote their careers to designing cars that maximize downforce and grip to squeeze every bit of performance out of a set of four humble tires. These cars punish their drivers by slinging them at six Gs through corners and offer similar levels of abuse in braking. It’s all wildly impressive, but I’ve long maintained that those drivers are not the ones having the most fun. When it comes to sheer enjoyment, grip is highly overrated, and if you want proof of that, you need to try ice racing. Should you be lucky enough to live somewhere that gets cold enough consistently enough, all you need is a good set of tires and a car that’s willing and able. That, of course, and a desire to spend more time driving sideways than straight. I’ve been ice racing for well over 20 years now, and I’m here to tell you that there’s no greater thrill on four wheels than sliding through a corner a few inches astern of a hard-charging competitor. Here’s how you can get started. Ice racing basics There are certainly plenty of professionals out there who have dabbled in or got their start in ice racing, F1 legend Alain Prost and touring car maestro Peter Cunningham being two notable examples. And a European ice racing series called Trophée Andros formerly challenged some of the world’s top professionals to race across a series of purpose-built frozen tracks in Europe and even Quebec. These days, however, ice racing is an almost entirely amateur pursuit, a low-temp, low-grip hobby where the biggest prize you’re likely to bring home on any given Sunday is a smile and maybe a little trophy for the mantel. That said, there are numerous types of ice racing. The most common and accessible is time trials, basically autocrosses on ice. The Sports Car Club of Vermont ice time trial series is a reliable, well-run example, but you’ll find plenty of others, too. Some other clubs step it up by hosting wheel-to-wheel racing on plowed ovals. Lakes Region Ice Racing Club in Moultonborough, New Hampshire, is a long-running group that has been blessed with enough ice lately to keep racing even as temperatures have increased. At the top tier, though, you’re looking at clubs that plow full-on road courses on the ice, groups like the Adirondack Motor Enthusiast Club (AMEC), based in and around the Adirondack Park. Established in 1954, this is among the oldest ice racing clubs in the world and the one I’ve been lucky to be a member of since 2002. AMEC offers numerous classes, providing eligibility for everything from a bone-stock Miata to purpose-built sprint cars that look like they made a wrong turn off a dirt oval. Dedicated volunteers plow courses on lakes throughout the ADK, tirelessly searching for ice of sufficient depth and quality. Different clubs have different requirements, but most like to see a foot of solid, clean ice. That may not sound like much, but according to the US Army Corps of Engineers, it’s plenty for eight-ton trucks. That’s enough to support not only the 60 to 100 racers that AMEC routinely sees on any frigid Sunday but also the numerous tow rigs, trailers, and plow trucks that support the action. How do you get started? All you need is a set of tires. Tires Tires are the most talked-about component of any car competing on the ice, and for good reason. Clubs have different regulations for what is and is not legal for competition, but in general, you can lump ice racing tires into three categories. The first is unstudded, street-legal tires, such as Bridgestone Blizzacks, Continental WinterContacts, and Michelin X-Ices. These tires generally have chunky, aggressive treads, generous siping, and squishy compounds. Modern snow tires like these are marvelous things, and when there’s a rough surface on the ice or some embedded snow, an unstudded tire can be extremely competitive, even keeping up with a street-legal studded tire. These tires, like the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 and the Pirelli Winter Ice Zero, take the chunky, aggressive tread pattern of a normal snow tire and embed some number of metallic studs. These tiny studs, which typically protrude only 1 millimeter from the tire surface, provide a massive boost in grip on smooth, polished ice. Finally, there is what is broadly called a “race stud” tire, which is anything not legal for road use. These tires range from hand-made bolt tires, put together by people who have a lot of patience and who don’t mind the smell of tire sealant, to purpose-built race rubber of the sort you’ll see on a World Rally car snow stage. These tires offer massive amounts of grip—so much so that the feel they deliver is more like driving on dirt than on ice. Unless you DIY it, the cost typically increases substantially as well. For that reason, going to grippier tires doesn’t necessarily mean more fun for your dollar, but there are plenty of opinions on where you’ll find the sweet spot of smiles per mile. Driver skills The other major factor in finding success on the ice is driver skill. If you have some experience in low-grip, car-control-focused driving like rally or drift, you’ll have a head start over someone who’s starting fresh. But if I had a dollar for every rally maestro or drifter I’ve seen swagger their way out onto the ice and then wedge their car straight into the first snowbank, I’d have at least five or six extra dollars to my name. Ice racing is probably the purest and most challenging form of low-grip driving. On ice, the performance envelope of a normal car on normal tires is extremely small. Driving fast on ice, then, means learning how to make your car do what you want, even when you’re far outside of that envelope. There are many techniques involved, but it all starts with getting comfortable with entering your car into a slide and sustaining it. Learning to balance your car in a moderate drift, dancing between terminal understeer (plowing into the snowbank nose-first) and extreme oversteer (spinning into the snowbank tail-first), is key. That comfort simply takes time. Reading the ice Once you figure out how to keep your car going in the right direction, and once you stop making sedan-shaped holes in snowbanks, the next trick is to learn how to read the ice. The grip level of the ice constantly evolves throughout the day. The street-legal tires tend to polish it off, wearing down rougher sections into smoothly polished patches with extremely low grip. The race studs, on the other hand, chew it up again, creating a heavily textured surface. If you’re on the less extreme sorts of tires, you’ll find the most grip on that rough, unused ice. In a race stud, you want to seek out smooth, clean ice because it will give your studs better purchase. If you’re familiar with road racing, it’s a little like running a rain line: not necessarily driving the shortest path around, but instead taking the one that offers the most grip. Imagine a rain line that changes every lap and you start to get the picture. How can I try it? Intrigued? The good news is that ice racing is among the most accessible and affordable forms of motorsport on the planet, possibly second only to autocrossing. Costs vary widely, but in my club, AMEC, a full day of racing costs $70. That’s for three heat races and a practice session. Again, all you need is a set of snow tires, which will last the full season if you don’t abuse them. The bad news, of course, is that you need to be close to an ice racing club. They’re getting harder and harder to find, and active clubs generally have shorter seasons with fewer events. If you can’t find one locally, you may need to travel, which increases the cost and commitment substantially. If cost is no issue, you certainly have more opportunities. We’ve already reported on McLaren’s program, but it’s not alone. Exotic brands like Ferrari and Lamborghini also offer winter driving programs, where you can wheel amazing cars in glamorous places like St. Moritz and Livigno. The cost is very much in the “if you have to ask” category. Dirtfish, one of the world’s greatest rally schools, also offers an ice-driving program in Wisconsin, starting at about $2,000 for a single day. This is a great, if expensive, way to get a feel for the skills you’ll need on ice. And if you just want the most seat time, look for programs like Lapland Ice Driving or Ice Drive Sweden. The northern wilds of Sweden and Finland are full of frozen lakes where clubs plow out full race courses, sometimes repeating Formula One circuits. If you have the funds, you can rent any manner of sports car and run it sideways all day long on proper studded tires. Whatever it costs and whatever you have to do to make it happen, ice racing is well worth the effort. I’ve been lucky to drive a long list of amazing cars in amazing places, but nothing comes close to the joy of wheeling my 20-year-old Subaru around a frozen lake. Ars Technica has been separating the signal from the noise for over 25 years. With our unique combination of technical savvy and wide-ranging interest in the technological arts and sciences, Ars is the trusted source in a sea of information. After all, you don’t need to know everything, only what’s important.
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[SOURCE: https://arstechnica.com/culture/2026/02/its-outright-war-for-the-iron-throne-in-house-of-the-dragon-s3-teaser/#comments] \| [TOKENS: 2340]
fire and darkness It’s outright war for the Iron Throne in House of the Dragon S3 teaser “The king has abdicated his throne. A new line is coming. A new line of unsullied kings.” Jennifer Ouellette – Feb 20, 2026 11:40 am \| 22 Credit: YouTube/HBO Credit: YouTube/HBO Text settings Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only Learn more Minimize to nav With HBO’s critically acclaimed A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms gearing up for its season finale on Sunday, it’s time to check in on that other Game of Thrones spinoff: the far darker House of the Dragon, which now has a suitably ominous teaser for its upcoming third season. (Spoilers for the first two seasons below.) The series is set nearly 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones, when dragons were still a fixture of Westeros, and chronicles the beginning of the end of House Targaryen’s reign. The primary source material is Fire and Blood, a fictional history of the Targaryen kings written by George R.R. Martin. As book readers know, those events culminated in a civil war and the extinction of the dragons—at least until Daenerys Targaryen came along. The first season spanned many years and featured some pretty significant time jumps, which required replacing the younger actors as their characters aged. For those who might need a refresher: King Viserys (Paddy Considine) died, and his second wife, Alicent (Olivia Cooke), conspired with her father, Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans), to crown her eldest son, Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney), as king instead of Viserys’ declared heir apparent, Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy). Even though she was technically the rightful heir, Rhaenyra actually seemed to be considering House Hightower’s conditions for concession—until the arrogant Prince Aemond (Ewan Mitchell), Alicent’s younger son, went after Rhaenyra’s young son, Lucerys (Elliot Grihault). Both dragonriders failed to control their dragons, and Aemon’s much bigger dragon, Vhagar, gobbled up poor Lucerys and his little dragon, Arrax, in mid-air. The season closed with Rhaenyra and her husband/uncle Daemon (Matt Smith) receiving the devastating news, effectively dashing any hope of a peaceful resolution. House of the Dragon has always taken a leisurely, more focused approach to its characters’ political maneuverings, interspersed with bursts of bloody violence, and S2 was no exception. But it opened with a bang: the infamous “Blood and Cheese” incident (well-known to book readers), in which assassins sent to take out Aemond as vengeance for Lucerys can’t find him and butcher Aegon’s eldest son instead. We lost a couple more dragons and several supporting characters in the ensuing chaos, and Aegon was so severely wounded that Aemond became regent—with no plan to relinquish the Iron Throne any time soon. Dance of Dragons = Death Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) sits as regent on the Iron Throne. YouTube/HBO Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) sits as regent on the Iron Throne. YouTube/HBO Behold the destructive power of a dragon. YouTube/HBO Behold the destructive power of a dragon. YouTube/HBO Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) sits as regent on the Iron Throne. YouTube/HBO Behold the destructive power of a dragon. YouTube/HBO What we didn’t get to see: the spectacularly brutal Battle of the Gullet, the bloody conflict at sea that will now be a centerpiece action sequence for S3 after HBO trimmed S2’s episode count from 10 to eight. But the finale teed it up perfectly, as Rhaenyra finally declared outright dragon war (the nuclear option) following Aemond’s reckless destruction of Sharp Point. As for Aegon, he went into hiding in Braavos, intending to wait out the war before reclaiming his throne. Much of the main cast—those whose characters survived S2, that is—are returning, including the aforementioned D’Arcy, Cooke, Smith, Glynn-Carney, Ifans, and Mitchell. Also returning: Steve Toussaint as Corlys; Sonoya Mizuno as Mysaria; Fabien Frankel as Criston Cole; Matthew Needham as Larys; Jefferson Hall as Jason and Tyland Lannister; Harry Collett as Jacaerys; Bethany Antonia as Baela; Phoebe Campbell as Rhaena; Phia Saban as Helaena; Kurt Egyiawan as Orwyle; Kieran Bew as Hugh Hammer; Abubakar Salim as Alyn of Hull; Clinton Liberty as Addam of Hull; Tom Bennett as Ulf White; Freddie Fox as Gwayne Hightower; and Gayle Rankin as Alys Rivers. Joining the cast for S3 are James Norton as Ormund Hightower; Tommy Flanagan as Roderick Dustin; Dan Fogler as Torrhen Manderly; Tom Cullen as Luthor Largent; Joplin Sibtain as Jon Roxton; Barry Sloane as Adrian Redford; and Annie Shapero as Alysanne Blackwood. The third season of House of the Dragon premieres on HBO this June. Look, we know this story doesn’t end well for anyone. It’s Westeros. But we also know we can expect a wild ride. Jennifer Ouellette Senior Writer Jennifer Ouellette Senior Writer Jennifer is a senior writer at Ars Technica with a particular focus on where science meets culture, covering everything from physics and related interdisciplinary topics to her favorite films and TV series. Jennifer lives in Baltimore with her spouse, physicist Sean M. Carroll, and their two cats, Ariel and Caliban. 22 Comments It’s outright war for the Iron Throne in House of the Dragon S3 teaser “The king has abdicated his throne. A new line is coming. A new line of unsullied kings.” With HBO’s critically acclaimed A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms gearing up for its season finale on Sunday, it’s time to check in on that other Game of Thrones spinoff: the far darker House of the Dragon, which now has a suitably ominous teaser for its upcoming third season. (Spoilers for the first two seasons below.) The series is set nearly 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones, when dragons were still a fixture of Westeros, and chronicles the beginning of the end of House Targaryen’s reign. The primary source material is Fire and Blood, a fictional history of the Targaryen kings written by George R.R. Martin. As book readers know, those events culminated in a civil war and the extinction of the dragons—at least until Daenerys Targaryen came along. The first season spanned many years and featured some pretty significant time jumps, which required replacing the younger actors as their characters aged. For those who might need a refresher: King Viserys (Paddy Considine) died, and his second wife, Alicent (Olivia Cooke), conspired with her father, Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans), to crown her eldest son, Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney), as king instead of Viserys’ declared heir apparent, Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy). Even though she was technically the rightful heir, Rhaenyra actually seemed to be considering House Hightower’s conditions for concession—until the arrogant Prince Aemond (Ewan Mitchell), Alicent’s younger son, went after Rhaenyra’s young son, Lucerys (Elliot Grihault). Both dragonriders failed to control their dragons, and Aemon’s much bigger dragon, Vhagar, gobbled up poor Lucerys and his little dragon, Arrax, in mid-air. The season closed with Rhaenyra and her husband/uncle Daemon (Matt Smith) receiving the devastating news, effectively dashing any hope of a peaceful resolution. House of the Dragon has always taken a leisurely, more focused approach to its characters’ political maneuverings, interspersed with bursts of bloody violence, and S2 was no exception. But it opened with a bang: the infamous “Blood and Cheese” incident (well-known to book readers), in which assassins sent to take out Aemond as vengeance for Lucerys can’t find him and butcher Aegon’s eldest son instead. We lost a couple more dragons and several supporting characters in the ensuing chaos, and Aegon was so severely wounded that Aemond became regent—with no plan to relinquish the Iron Throne any time soon. Dance of Dragons = Death What we didn’t get to see: the spectacularly brutal Battle of the Gullet, the bloody conflict at sea that will now be a centerpiece action sequence for S3 after HBO trimmed S2’s episode count from 10 to eight. But the finale teed it up perfectly, as Rhaenyra finally declared outright dragon war (the nuclear option) following Aemond’s reckless destruction of Sharp Point. As for Aegon, he went into hiding in Braavos, intending to wait out the war before reclaiming his throne. Much of the main cast—those whose characters survived S2, that is—are returning, including the aforementioned D’Arcy, Cooke, Smith, Glynn-Carney, Ifans, and Mitchell. Also returning: Steve Toussaint as Corlys; Sonoya Mizuno as Mysaria; Fabien Frankel as Criston Cole; Matthew Needham as Larys; Jefferson Hall as Jason and Tyland Lannister; Harry Collett as Jacaerys; Bethany Antonia as Baela; Phoebe Campbell as Rhaena; Phia Saban as Helaena; Kurt Egyiawan as Orwyle; Kieran Bew as Hugh Hammer; Abubakar Salim as Alyn of Hull; Clinton Liberty as Addam of Hull; Tom Bennett as Ulf White; Freddie Fox as Gwayne Hightower; and Gayle Rankin as Alys Rivers. Joining the cast for S3 are James Norton as Ormund Hightower; Tommy Flanagan as Roderick Dustin; Dan Fogler as Torrhen Manderly; Tom Cullen as Luthor Largent; Joplin Sibtain as Jon Roxton; Barry Sloane as Adrian Redford; and Annie Shapero as Alysanne Blackwood. The third season of House of the Dragon premieres on HBO this June. Look, we know this story doesn’t end well for anyone. It’s Westeros. But we also know we can expect a wild ride. Ars Technica has been separating the signal from the noise for over 25 years. With our unique combination of technical savvy and wide-ranging interest in the technological arts and sciences, Ars is the trusted source in a sea of information. After all, you don’t need to know everything, only what’s important.
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[SOURCE: https://arstechnica.com/cars/2026/02/zero-grip-maximum-fun-a-practical-guide-to-getting-into-amateur-ice-racing/#comments] \| [TOKENS: 4552]
not a zamboni Zero grip, maximum fun: A practical guide to getting into amateur ice racing Where we’re racing, we don’t need roads. Tim Stevens – Feb 19, 2026 11:26 am \| 39 To drive on ice, you just need the right tires. Credit: Tim Stevens To drive on ice, you just need the right tires. Credit: Tim Stevens Text settings Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only Learn more Minimize to nav In Formula One, grip is everything. The world’s best engineers devote their careers to designing cars that maximize downforce and grip to squeeze every bit of performance out of a set of four humble tires. These cars punish their drivers by slinging them at six Gs through corners and offer similar levels of abuse in braking. It’s all wildly impressive, but I’ve long maintained that those drivers are not the ones having the most fun. When it comes to sheer enjoyment, grip is highly overrated, and if you want proof of that, you need to try ice racing. Should you be lucky enough to live somewhere that gets cold enough consistently enough, all you need is a good set of tires and a car that’s willing and able. That, of course, and a desire to spend more time driving sideways than straight. I’ve been ice racing for well over 20 years now, and I’m here to tell you that there’s no greater thrill on four wheels than sliding through a corner a few inches astern of a hard-charging competitor. Here’s how you can get started. For street legal classes, you don’t even need a roll cage. Just the right tires and the right attitude. Credit: Tim Stevens For street legal classes, you don’t even need a roll cage. Just the right tires and the right attitude. Credit: Tim Stevens Ice racing basics There are certainly plenty of professionals out there who have dabbled in or got their start in ice racing, F1 legend Alain Prost and touring car maestro Peter Cunningham being two notable examples. And a European ice racing series called Trophée Andros formerly challenged some of the world’s top professionals to race across a series of purpose-built frozen tracks in Europe and even Quebec. These days, however, ice racing is an almost entirely amateur pursuit, a low-temp, low-grip hobby where the biggest prize you’re likely to bring home on any given Sunday is a smile and maybe a little trophy for the mantel. That said, there are numerous types of ice racing. The most common and accessible is time trials, basically autocrosses on ice. The Sports Car Club of Vermont ice time trial series is a reliable, well-run example, but you’ll find plenty of others, too. Some other clubs step it up by hosting wheel-to-wheel racing on plowed ovals. Lakes Region Ice Racing Club in Moultonborough, New Hampshire, is a long-running group that has been blessed with enough ice lately to keep racing even as temperatures have increased. At the top tier, though, you’re looking at clubs that plow full-on road courses on the ice, groups like the Adirondack Motor Enthusiast Club (AMEC), based in and around the Adirondack Park. Established in 1954, this is among the oldest ice racing clubs in the world and the one I’ve been lucky to be a member of since 2002. Will any other discipline of motorsport teach you as much about car control? Tim Stevens Will any other discipline of motorsport teach you as much about car control? Tim Stevens Not every class is for street legal cars. Tim Stevens Not every class is for street legal cars. Tim Stevens An AMEC drivers’ meeting. This is where the officials let you know what will and won’t be tolerated. Tim Stevens An AMEC drivers’ meeting. This is where the officials let you know what will and won’t be tolerated. Tim Stevens Not every class is for street legal cars. Tim Stevens An AMEC drivers’ meeting. This is where the officials let you know what will and won’t be tolerated. Tim Stevens AMEC offers numerous classes, providing eligibility for everything from a bone-stock Miata to purpose-built sprint cars that look like they made a wrong turn off a dirt oval. Dedicated volunteers plow courses on lakes throughout the ADK, tirelessly searching for ice of sufficient depth and quality. Different clubs have different requirements, but most like to see a foot of solid, clean ice. That may not sound like much, but according to the US Army Corps of Engineers, it’s plenty for eight-ton trucks. That’s enough to support not only the 60 to 100 racers that AMEC routinely sees on any frigid Sunday but also the numerous tow rigs, trailers, and plow trucks that support the action. How do you get started? All you need is a set of tires. Tires Tires are the most talked-about component of any car competing on the ice, and for good reason. Clubs have different regulations for what is and is not legal for competition, but in general, you can lump ice racing tires into three categories. The first is unstudded, street-legal tires, such as Bridgestone Blizzacks, Continental WinterContacts, and Michelin X-Ices. These tires generally have chunky, aggressive treads, generous siping, and squishy compounds. Modern snow tires like these are marvelous things, and when there’s a rough surface on the ice or some embedded snow, an unstudded tire can be extremely competitive, even keeping up with a street-legal studded tire. These tires, like the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 and the Pirelli Winter Ice Zero, take the chunky, aggressive tread pattern of a normal snow tire and embed some number of metallic studs. These tiny studs, which typically protrude only 1 millimeter from the tire surface, provide a massive boost in grip on smooth, polished ice. Tim races on Nokian Hakka 10 tires, which are a street-legal studded winter tire. Credit: Tim Stevens Tim races on Nokian Hakka 10 tires, which are a street-legal studded winter tire. Credit: Tim Stevens Finally, there is what is broadly called a “race stud” tire, which is anything not legal for road use. These tires range from hand-made bolt tires, put together by people who have a lot of patience and who don’t mind the smell of tire sealant, to purpose-built race rubber of the sort you’ll see on a World Rally car snow stage. These tires offer massive amounts of grip—so much so that the feel they deliver is more like driving on dirt than on ice. Unless you DIY it, the cost typically increases substantially as well. For that reason, going to grippier tires doesn’t necessarily mean more fun for your dollar, but there are plenty of opinions on where you’ll find the sweet spot of smiles per mile. Driver skills The other major factor in finding success on the ice is driver skill. If you have some experience in low-grip, car-control-focused driving like rally or drift, you’ll have a head start over someone who’s starting fresh. But if I had a dollar for every rally maestro or drifter I’ve seen swagger their way out onto the ice and then wedge their car straight into the first snowbank, I’d have at least five or six extra dollars to my name. Ice racing is probably the purest and most challenging form of low-grip driving. On ice, the performance envelope of a normal car on normal tires is extremely small. Driving fast on ice, then, means learning how to make your car do what you want, even when you’re far outside of that envelope. There are many techniques involved, but it all starts with getting comfortable with entering your car into a slide and sustaining it. Learning to balance your car in a moderate drift, dancing between terminal understeer (plowing into the snowbank nose-first) and extreme oversteer (spinning into the snowbank tail-first), is key. That comfort simply takes time. Reading the ice The condition of the track changes constantly. Credit: Tim Stevens The condition of the track changes constantly. Credit: Tim Stevens Once you figure out how to keep your car going in the right direction, and once you stop making sedan-shaped holes in snowbanks, the next trick is to learn how to read the ice. The grip level of the ice constantly evolves throughout the day. The street-legal tires tend to polish it off, wearing down rougher sections into smoothly polished patches with extremely low grip. The race studs, on the other hand, chew it up again, creating a heavily textured surface. If you’re on the less extreme sorts of tires, you’ll find the most grip on that rough, unused ice. In a race stud, you want to seek out smooth, clean ice because it will give your studs better purchase. If you’re familiar with road racing, it’s a little like running a rain line: not necessarily driving the shortest path around, but instead taking the one that offers the most grip. Imagine a rain line that changes every lap and you start to get the picture. How can I try it? Intrigued? The good news is that ice racing is among the most accessible and affordable forms of motorsport on the planet, possibly second only to autocrossing. Costs vary widely, but in my club, AMEC, a full day of racing costs $70. That’s for three heat races and a practice session. Again, all you need is a set of snow tires, which will last the full season if you don’t abuse them. The bad news, of course, is that you need to be close to an ice racing club. They’re getting harder and harder to find, and active clubs generally have shorter seasons with fewer events. If you can’t find one locally, you may need to travel, which increases the cost and commitment substantially. If you don’t live where the lakes freeze, you’ll have to travel. Tim Stevens If you don’t live where the lakes freeze, you’ll have to travel. Tim Stevens You might not need a cage in some classes, but it’s still wheel-to-wheel racing, and that sometimes leads to contact. Tim Stevens You might not need a cage in some classes, but it’s still wheel-to-wheel racing, and that sometimes leads to contact. Tim Stevens If the ice can support the weight of the trucks that carve out the course, it won’t mind a few cars racing on it. Tim Stevens If the ice can support the weight of the trucks that carve out the course, it won’t mind a few cars racing on it. Tim Stevens You might not need a cage in some classes, but it’s still wheel-to-wheel racing, and that sometimes leads to contact. Tim Stevens If the ice can support the weight of the trucks that carve out the course, it won’t mind a few cars racing on it. Tim Stevens If cost is no issue, you certainly have more opportunities. We’ve already reported on McLaren’s program, but it’s not alone. Exotic brands like Ferrari and Lamborghini also offer winter driving programs, where you can wheel amazing cars in glamorous places like St. Moritz and Livigno. The cost is very much in the “if you have to ask” category. Dirtfish, one of the world’s greatest rally schools, also offers an ice-driving program in Wisconsin, starting at about $2,000 for a single day. This is a great, if expensive, way to get a feel for the skills you’ll need on ice. And if you just want the most seat time, look for programs like Lapland Ice Driving or Ice Drive Sweden. The northern wilds of Sweden and Finland are full of frozen lakes where clubs plow out full race courses, sometimes repeating Formula One circuits. If you have the funds, you can rent any manner of sports car and run it sideways all day long on proper studded tires. Whatever it costs and whatever you have to do to make it happen, ice racing is well worth the effort. I’ve been lucky to drive a long list of amazing cars in amazing places, but nothing comes close to the joy of wheeling my 20-year-old Subaru around a frozen lake. 39 Comments Zero grip, maximum fun: A practical guide to getting into amateur ice racing Where we’re racing, we don’t need roads. In Formula One, grip is everything. The world’s best engineers devote their careers to designing cars that maximize downforce and grip to squeeze every bit of performance out of a set of four humble tires. These cars punish their drivers by slinging them at six Gs through corners and offer similar levels of abuse in braking. It’s all wildly impressive, but I’ve long maintained that those drivers are not the ones having the most fun. When it comes to sheer enjoyment, grip is highly overrated, and if you want proof of that, you need to try ice racing. Should you be lucky enough to live somewhere that gets cold enough consistently enough, all you need is a good set of tires and a car that’s willing and able. That, of course, and a desire to spend more time driving sideways than straight. I’ve been ice racing for well over 20 years now, and I’m here to tell you that there’s no greater thrill on four wheels than sliding through a corner a few inches astern of a hard-charging competitor. Here’s how you can get started. Ice racing basics There are certainly plenty of professionals out there who have dabbled in or got their start in ice racing, F1 legend Alain Prost and touring car maestro Peter Cunningham being two notable examples. And a European ice racing series called Trophée Andros formerly challenged some of the world’s top professionals to race across a series of purpose-built frozen tracks in Europe and even Quebec. These days, however, ice racing is an almost entirely amateur pursuit, a low-temp, low-grip hobby where the biggest prize you’re likely to bring home on any given Sunday is a smile and maybe a little trophy for the mantel. That said, there are numerous types of ice racing. The most common and accessible is time trials, basically autocrosses on ice. The Sports Car Club of Vermont ice time trial series is a reliable, well-run example, but you’ll find plenty of others, too. Some other clubs step it up by hosting wheel-to-wheel racing on plowed ovals. Lakes Region Ice Racing Club in Moultonborough, New Hampshire, is a long-running group that has been blessed with enough ice lately to keep racing even as temperatures have increased. At the top tier, though, you’re looking at clubs that plow full-on road courses on the ice, groups like the Adirondack Motor Enthusiast Club (AMEC), based in and around the Adirondack Park. Established in 1954, this is among the oldest ice racing clubs in the world and the one I’ve been lucky to be a member of since 2002. AMEC offers numerous classes, providing eligibility for everything from a bone-stock Miata to purpose-built sprint cars that look like they made a wrong turn off a dirt oval. Dedicated volunteers plow courses on lakes throughout the ADK, tirelessly searching for ice of sufficient depth and quality. Different clubs have different requirements, but most like to see a foot of solid, clean ice. That may not sound like much, but according to the US Army Corps of Engineers, it’s plenty for eight-ton trucks. That’s enough to support not only the 60 to 100 racers that AMEC routinely sees on any frigid Sunday but also the numerous tow rigs, trailers, and plow trucks that support the action. How do you get started? All you need is a set of tires. Tires Tires are the most talked-about component of any car competing on the ice, and for good reason. Clubs have different regulations for what is and is not legal for competition, but in general, you can lump ice racing tires into three categories. The first is unstudded, street-legal tires, such as Bridgestone Blizzacks, Continental WinterContacts, and Michelin X-Ices. These tires generally have chunky, aggressive treads, generous siping, and squishy compounds. Modern snow tires like these are marvelous things, and when there’s a rough surface on the ice or some embedded snow, an unstudded tire can be extremely competitive, even keeping up with a street-legal studded tire. These tires, like the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 and the Pirelli Winter Ice Zero, take the chunky, aggressive tread pattern of a normal snow tire and embed some number of metallic studs. These tiny studs, which typically protrude only 1 millimeter from the tire surface, provide a massive boost in grip on smooth, polished ice. Finally, there is what is broadly called a “race stud” tire, which is anything not legal for road use. These tires range from hand-made bolt tires, put together by people who have a lot of patience and who don’t mind the smell of tire sealant, to purpose-built race rubber of the sort you’ll see on a World Rally car snow stage. These tires offer massive amounts of grip—so much so that the feel they deliver is more like driving on dirt than on ice. Unless you DIY it, the cost typically increases substantially as well. For that reason, going to grippier tires doesn’t necessarily mean more fun for your dollar, but there are plenty of opinions on where you’ll find the sweet spot of smiles per mile. Driver skills The other major factor in finding success on the ice is driver skill. If you have some experience in low-grip, car-control-focused driving like rally or drift, you’ll have a head start over someone who’s starting fresh. But if I had a dollar for every rally maestro or drifter I’ve seen swagger their way out onto the ice and then wedge their car straight into the first snowbank, I’d have at least five or six extra dollars to my name. Ice racing is probably the purest and most challenging form of low-grip driving. On ice, the performance envelope of a normal car on normal tires is extremely small. Driving fast on ice, then, means learning how to make your car do what you want, even when you’re far outside of that envelope. There are many techniques involved, but it all starts with getting comfortable with entering your car into a slide and sustaining it. Learning to balance your car in a moderate drift, dancing between terminal understeer (plowing into the snowbank nose-first) and extreme oversteer (spinning into the snowbank tail-first), is key. That comfort simply takes time. Reading the ice Once you figure out how to keep your car going in the right direction, and once you stop making sedan-shaped holes in snowbanks, the next trick is to learn how to read the ice. The grip level of the ice constantly evolves throughout the day. The street-legal tires tend to polish it off, wearing down rougher sections into smoothly polished patches with extremely low grip. The race studs, on the other hand, chew it up again, creating a heavily textured surface. If you’re on the less extreme sorts of tires, you’ll find the most grip on that rough, unused ice. In a race stud, you want to seek out smooth, clean ice because it will give your studs better purchase. If you’re familiar with road racing, it’s a little like running a rain line: not necessarily driving the shortest path around, but instead taking the one that offers the most grip. Imagine a rain line that changes every lap and you start to get the picture. How can I try it? Intrigued? The good news is that ice racing is among the most accessible and affordable forms of motorsport on the planet, possibly second only to autocrossing. Costs vary widely, but in my club, AMEC, a full day of racing costs $70. That’s for three heat races and a practice session. Again, all you need is a set of snow tires, which will last the full season if you don’t abuse them. The bad news, of course, is that you need to be close to an ice racing club. They’re getting harder and harder to find, and active clubs generally have shorter seasons with fewer events. If you can’t find one locally, you may need to travel, which increases the cost and commitment substantially. If cost is no issue, you certainly have more opportunities. We’ve already reported on McLaren’s program, but it’s not alone. Exotic brands like Ferrari and Lamborghini also offer winter driving programs, where you can wheel amazing cars in glamorous places like St. Moritz and Livigno. The cost is very much in the “if you have to ask” category. Dirtfish, one of the world’s greatest rally schools, also offers an ice-driving program in Wisconsin, starting at about $2,000 for a single day. This is a great, if expensive, way to get a feel for the skills you’ll need on ice. And if you just want the most seat time, look for programs like Lapland Ice Driving or Ice Drive Sweden. The northern wilds of Sweden and Finland are full of frozen lakes where clubs plow out full race courses, sometimes repeating Formula One circuits. If you have the funds, you can rent any manner of sports car and run it sideways all day long on proper studded tires. Whatever it costs and whatever you have to do to make it happen, ice racing is well worth the effort. I’ve been lucky to drive a long list of amazing cars in amazing places, but nothing comes close to the joy of wheeling my 20-year-old Subaru around a frozen lake. Ars Technica has been separating the signal from the noise for over 25 years. With our unique combination of technical savvy and wide-ranging interest in the technological arts and sciences, Ars is the trusted source in a sea of information. After all, you don’t need to know everything, only what’s important.
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[SOURCE: https://www.bbc.com/future-planet/solutions] \| [TOKENS: 2265]
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Inside the Icelandic plant turning CO2 into rocks The world's largest direct air capture plant sucks CO2 from the air and deposits it underground. The race to fix clean energy's waste problem While wind electricity is clean, this green industry has a waste problem. Now there's a race to solve it. 'It's like being in a farm from outer space' Tech-loving traveller Paul Carter visits a new kind of farm - one that has to be accessed via an airlock. Japan's testbed for future sustainability How a project near Fukushima has become a lab for demonstrating sustainable ideas for Japan and the wider world. How to ship solar power from sea to shore One company is developing a new way of transferring energy from sea to shore, and it's all powered by the wind. South Africa's all-female ranger squad A day in the life of the Black Mambas. Cork: Is this nature's most versatile material? As well as being a superb wine stopper, cork is a unique and versatile material. A unique initiative to save Mexico’s coral reef A Mexican community has found an unusual way to protect their coral reef. The foods that can turn back the climate clock To sustain an ever growing global population, we need to produce more food. Latest stories Repair hub helps charity become more sustainable St Oswald's Hospice repair hub is saving hundreds of donated clothes from landfill. Extreme ways countries are combatting overtourism As global travel surges toward 1.8 billion arrivals, destinations are testing controversial new measures to control the crowds. Where tourism is growing fastest in 2026 As global travel rebounds, the fastest growth is happening beyond the usual tourism heavyweights – from Ethiopia to Bhutan. William tries out a new set of wheels The prince saw a number of technologies being designed to help people with mobility issues. Why these sustainable towns in the US are worth a trip From compost-powered cities to dark-sky pioneers, these lesser-known US towns are proving that sustainability and great travel go hand in hand. 10 of the world's most spectacular tree houses Treetop living is not just for kids. These architect-designed, "nest-like" dwellings – created in forests all over the world – are the ultimate sky-high retreats from urban living. Heating a home with no electricity or gas in the big freeze Abigail and Marcus Beck live in a eco home which relies on renewable energy, which means no gas power in the winter months Eight quick fixes to revitalise your home How to transform your living space for the new year – and create a unique, artisan-style look, without spending on "fast furniture". Council announces more than 600 EV charge points Locations will be confirmed once feasibility studies are completed, says West Berkshire Council. Copyright 2026 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.
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[SOURCE: https://www.bbc.com/future-planet/sustainable-business] \| [TOKENS: 1413]
Sustainable BusinessEveryday EVs are taking a page from Formula EThe common electric vehicle doesn't need to hit lightning speed – but Formula E race cars could usher in a new era for all.See moreGreen TechHow China became fixated on cloud seedingChina hopes to increasingly control when and where it rains. How is it done and does cloud seeding actually work?How to get rare earths without mining rockAs nations posture over access to rare earth deposits, scientists say these coveted materials are hiding in plain sight – and can be harvested without any conventional mining at all.Electric buses too big to serve some streetsThe buses will 'create safety and reliability issues' if they go on the roads in Devon, bosses say.Could Glasgow introduce free electric shuttle buses?Six options have been assessed that would connect various parts of the city centre and make them more accessible.Latest newsSolar farm given go-ahead despite objectionsCouncil reapproves plans for new bioenergy plantSolar farm approved on 'the last green fields'Golden eagle project renews calls to reject wind farmCourt overturns Scottish government's wind farm approvalThoughtful TravelThe controversial airport in Peru's Sacred ValleyMachu Picchu has always been hard to reach, but a new airport will soon change that and bring 200% more visitors to the area – and some area residents aren't happy about it.See moreWatchThe spongy creatures cleaning Zanzibar's oceansAs ocean temperatures rise, women in Zanzibar turn to natural sea sponge farming to stay afloat.Sustainable businessHeating homes using abandoned coal minesOld coal mines across the world are being dusted off and repurposed to heat homes, offices, and more.Sustainable businessInside India’s lab-grown diamond industryWhat if there was a more sustainable way to produce diamonds?Sustainable businessSweden’s innovative solution to powering electric carsElectric roads that charge vehicles as they drive could soon be a reality.Sustainable businessLatest stories8 hrs agoUK puffins in peril as winter storms threaten mass seabird 'wreck'Hundreds of dead and dying seabirds are washing up on British beaches.8 hrs ago23 hrs agoThe cities where you'll never see flight adsMunicipalities across the world are clearing their billboards of flight ads, SUVs, cruise ships and petrol cars in an attempt to cut emissions.23 hrs ago4 days agoWhy encroaching seawater is becoming a global problemFrom Bangladesh to The Gambia, sea salt is increasingly seeping into the freshwaters people need for drinking and producing food.4 days ago8 days agoTrump revokes landmark ruling that greenhouse gases endanger public healthThe White House calls it the largest deregulation in US history, but environmentalists say it will prove costly for Americans.8 days ago11 Feb 2026Are wetter winters in UK and frequent flooding here to stay?Many places across the UK have experienced their wettest January in more than 100 years.11 Feb 202610 Feb 2026More solar farms on the way after record renewables auctionThe results have been welcomed by climate and clean energy groups but could face opposition from local communities. 10 Feb 20269 Feb 2026Businesses face extinction unless they protect nature, major report warnsExperts call for urgent action by businesses to restore the natural systems that keep them running.9 Feb 20267 Feb 2026Why it's becoming harder to be a Winter OlympianA warming climate and the use of artificial snow is making it more dangerous and difficult to compete at the Winter Olympics.7 Feb 20262 Feb 2026The cave expanding our search for alien lifeIn one of the most baffling discoveries of the last decade, scientists have found a clue in a cave to how life might survive in deep space without light.2 Feb 2026... Sustainable Business Everyday EVs are taking a page from Formula E Green Tech How China became fixated on cloud seeding China hopes to increasingly control when and where it rains. How is it done and does cloud seeding actually work? How to get rare earths without mining rock As nations posture over access to rare earth deposits, scientists say these coveted materials are hiding in plain sight – and can be harvested without any conventional mining at all. Electric buses too big to serve some streets The buses will 'create safety and reliability issues' if they go on the roads in Devon, bosses say. Could Glasgow introduce free electric shuttle buses? Six options have been assessed that would connect various parts of the city centre and make them more accessible. Latest news Solar farm given go-ahead despite objections Council reapproves plans for new bioenergy plant Solar farm approved on 'the last green fields' Golden eagle project renews calls to reject wind farm Court overturns Scottish government's wind farm approval Thoughtful Travel The controversial airport in Peru's Sacred Valley Watch The spongy creatures cleaning Zanzibar's oceans As ocean temperatures rise, women in Zanzibar turn to natural sea sponge farming to stay afloat. Heating homes using abandoned coal mines Old coal mines across the world are being dusted off and repurposed to heat homes, offices, and more. Inside India’s lab-grown diamond industry What if there was a more sustainable way to produce diamonds? Sweden’s innovative solution to powering electric cars Electric roads that charge vehicles as they drive could soon be a reality. Latest stories UK puffins in peril as winter storms threaten mass seabird 'wreck' Hundreds of dead and dying seabirds are washing up on British beaches. The cities where you'll never see flight ads Municipalities across the world are clearing their billboards of flight ads, SUVs, cruise ships and petrol cars in an attempt to cut emissions. Why encroaching seawater is becoming a global problem From Bangladesh to The Gambia, sea salt is increasingly seeping into the freshwaters people need for drinking and producing food. Trump revokes landmark ruling that greenhouse gases endanger public health The White House calls it the largest deregulation in US history, but environmentalists say it will prove costly for Americans. Are wetter winters in UK and frequent flooding here to stay? Many places across the UK have experienced their wettest January in more than 100 years. More solar farms on the way after record renewables auction The results have been welcomed by climate and clean energy groups but could face opposition from local communities. Businesses face extinction unless they protect nature, major report warns Experts call for urgent action by businesses to restore the natural systems that keep them running. Why it's becoming harder to be a Winter Olympian A warming climate and the use of artificial snow is making it more dangerous and difficult to compete at the Winter Olympics. The cave expanding our search for alien life In one of the most baffling discoveries of the last decade, scientists have found a clue in a cave to how life might survive in deep space without light. Copyright 2026 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.
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[SOURCE: https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2026/02/pokemon-red-and-greens-gba-remakes-are-getting-re-released-on-switch-for-20-a-pop/] \| [TOKENS: 1774]
will anyone trade me a charmander Nintendo brings GBA-era Pokémon to the Switch, but not Switch Online subscribers Games appear to be mostly unmodified ports of the well-regarded remakes. Andrew Cunningham – Feb 20, 2026 11:30 am \| 41 Game Boy Advance-era remakes of the first Pokémon games are coming to the Switch. Credit: Nintendo Game Boy Advance-era remakes of the first Pokémon games are coming to the Switch. Credit: Nintendo Text settings Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only Learn more Minimize to nav For my money, the 2004 Game Boy Advance re-releases of Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen are still the best versions of the original Pokémon games. They fixed most of the bugs and balance issues present in the originals—partly by also including the rosters from Gold/Silver and Ruby/Sapphire—but they’re more faithful to the original gameplay, battling and catching mechanics, and graphics than the 2018 Let’s Go, Pikachu/Eevee! adaptations for the Switch. Someone at Nintendo apparently agrees, as the company announced today that it’s re-releasing those games for the original Switch (and, by extension, the Switch 2, though no Switch 2-specific features were announced). The games will be available after a planned Pokémon Presents stream at 9 am Eastern/6 am Pacific on February 27. Subscribers to the Switch Online + Expansion Pack are in for a disappointment, though. Instead of releasing FireRed and LeafGreen as part of the Switch Online Game Boy Advance collection, Nintendo will release both titles as standalone purchases that will run you $20 apiece. This means that players without a subscription will be able to buy and play the games. But given how few GBA games are available for the Switch Online service and how infrequently new ones are released, it does rankle to see otherwise unmodified ports of a prominent game bypass subscribers entirely. The FireRed and LeafGreen ports will both support local wireless multiplayer, though not online multiplayer. The announcement originally said that support for Pokémon Home, the repository service that stores creatures from multiple Pokémon games, would be coming “soon,” but that note has since been removed. We’d still assume that players will eventually be able to use Home to import their FireRed and LeafGreen rosters to newer games in the series. While the multiplayer Switch Online Game Boy Advance games all support wireless multiplayer in place of physical Game Link Cables, it’s particularly important for these games because they were the first Pokémon titles to support any kind of wireless multiplayer, even before the Nintendo DS made built-in Wi-Fi connectivity a standard console feature. FireRed and LeafGreen were two of just a few dozen GBA games to support the Game Boy Advance Wireless Adapter, a bulky, standalone accessory that latched to the top of the system and plugged in to its Link Cable port. The initial releases of the games actually included the wireless adapter as a pack-in accessory, which had to be supported by the game you were playing and couldn’t just work as a stand-in for a physical Link Cable in older games. With the wireless adapter plugged in, up to 30 players could congregate in the game’s “Union Room” to do battles and trades—but given that Nintendo also recommended players stand within 10 feet of each other for the best experience, a 30-person Union Room would have gotten pretty crowded in real life. FireRed and LeafGreen are adaptations of the original 1996 Pokémon games for the old black-and-white Game Boy. The names reference the original Japanese releases, Red and Green. A third version of the game with updated graphics and other changes, called Pokémon Blue, was released in Japan in late 1996, and this was the version that was localized and released in the US as Pokémon Red and Blue in 1998. A final version of the base game, Pokémon Yellow, was released in Japan in 1998 and in the US in 1999, with some changes that tracked the plotline of the Pokémon anime (most prominently, mandating that players select an un-evolve-able Pikachu as their starter Pokémon). Most of the changes specific to this version of the game weren’t included in the FireRed and LeafGreen remakes. Andrew Cunningham Senior Technology Reporter Andrew Cunningham Senior Technology Reporter Andrew is a Senior Technology Reporter at Ars Technica, with a focus on consumer tech including computer hardware and in-depth reviews of operating systems like Windows and macOS. Andrew lives in Philadelphia and co-hosts a weekly book podcast called Overdue. 41 Comments Nintendo brings GBA-era Pokémon to the Switch, but not Switch Online subscribers Games appear to be mostly unmodified ports of the well-regarded remakes. For my money, the 2004 Game Boy Advance re-releases of Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen are still the best versions of the original Pokémon games. They fixed most of the bugs and balance issues present in the originals—partly by also including the rosters from Gold/Silver and Ruby/Sapphire—but they’re more faithful to the original gameplay, battling and catching mechanics, and graphics than the 2018 Let’s Go, Pikachu/Eevee! adaptations for the Switch. Someone at Nintendo apparently agrees, as the company announced today that it’s re-releasing those games for the original Switch (and, by extension, the Switch 2, though no Switch 2-specific features were announced). The games will be available after a planned Pokémon Presents stream at 9 am Eastern/6 am Pacific on February 27. Subscribers to the Switch Online + Expansion Pack are in for a disappointment, though. Instead of releasing FireRed and LeafGreen as part of the Switch Online Game Boy Advance collection, Nintendo will release both titles as standalone purchases that will run you $20 apiece. This means that players without a subscription will be able to buy and play the games. But given how few GBA games are available for the Switch Online service and how infrequently new ones are released, it does rankle to see otherwise unmodified ports of a prominent game bypass subscribers entirely. The FireRed and LeafGreen ports will both support local wireless multiplayer, though not online multiplayer. The announcement originally said that support for Pokémon Home, the repository service that stores creatures from multiple Pokémon games, would be coming “soon,” but that note has since been removed. We’d still assume that players will eventually be able to use Home to import their FireRed and LeafGreen rosters to newer games in the series. While the multiplayer Switch Online Game Boy Advance games all support wireless multiplayer in place of physical Game Link Cables, it’s particularly important for these games because they were the first Pokémon titles to support any kind of wireless multiplayer, even before the Nintendo DS made built-in Wi-Fi connectivity a standard console feature. FireRed and LeafGreen were two of just a few dozen GBA games to support the Game Boy Advance Wireless Adapter, a bulky, standalone accessory that latched to the top of the system and plugged in to its Link Cable port. The initial releases of the games actually included the wireless adapter as a pack-in accessory, which had to be supported by the game you were playing and couldn’t just work as a stand-in for a physical Link Cable in older games. With the wireless adapter plugged in, up to 30 players could congregate in the game’s “Union Room” to do battles and trades—but given that Nintendo also recommended players stand within 10 feet of each other for the best experience, a 30-person Union Room would have gotten pretty crowded in real life. FireRed and LeafGreen are adaptations of the original 1996 Pokémon games for the old black-and-white Game Boy. The names reference the original Japanese releases, Red and Green. A third version of the game with updated graphics and other changes, called Pokémon Blue, was released in Japan in late 1996, and this was the version that was localized and released in the US as Pokémon Red and Blue in 1998. A final version of the base game, Pokémon Yellow, was released in Japan in 1998 and in the US in 1999, with some changes that tracked the plotline of the Pokémon anime (most prominently, mandating that players select an un-evolve-able Pikachu as their starter Pokémon). Most of the changes specific to this version of the game weren’t included in the FireRed and LeafGreen remakes. Ars Technica has been separating the signal from the noise for over 25 years. With our unique combination of technical savvy and wide-ranging interest in the technological arts and sciences, Ars is the trusted source in a sea of information. After all, you don’t need to know everything, only what’s important.
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[SOURCE: https://www.bbc.com/future-planet/green-living] \| [TOKENS: 2026]
Green LivingThis machine turns carbon dioxide into fuelResearchers have found a way to take carbon dioxide and turn it into syngas, creating carbon-neutral energy.See morePersonal EffectsFur is back in fashion - and even more divisiveIt's having a moment with celebrities and Gen Z. But wearing any kind of fur, from vintage to faux, poses some difficult questions. Could a new plant-based variety be the way forward?Ten key items in our wardrobe is enough - here's whyThe dopamine-spiking effects of ultra-fast fashion are far outweighed by the wellbeing rewards of a capsule wardrobe, according to these less-is-more experts.WatchCan these 3D-printed sea walls protect marine wildlife?One team is on a mission to create 3D printed sea walls with environmental benefits.Green livingSustainable giving: Giving fashion from upcycled scrapsWant to gift sustainably, dress stylishly, and help the planet? Scraps might be the answer. Green livingHow to live a zero-waste life in a wasteful worldLiving a zero-waste life is great for the environment and your wallet. How does it work?Green livingIntense beekeeping and wildfires are harming Turkey’s beesTurkey’s bee populations are dwindling due to intense beekeeping practices and wildfires.Green livingThe luxury cars going electricLara Lewington visits car manufacturer Bentley to find out how it is making the shift to electric.Green livingHow to stay healthy like the DutchThe Dutch are known for being a nation of cyclists, does it make them healthier?Green livingIn search of the world's finest Arabica coffeeThis Jamaican coffee is so special that Japan has dedicated a holiday to it.Green livingThe small Danish island that makes more energy than it usesThe small Danish Island of Ærø has been deemed the most sustainable European island of 2021.Green livingMore storiesWhat you can do to reduce carbon emissionsTaylor Swift claims she offsets her travel carbon footprint - how does that work?Sustainable travel destinations for 2024Colombia's Indigenous bird guardiansThe batteries built from cottonGreen GetawaysThe remote village drawing stargazers from around the worldIn the Moon-like landscape of Hanle, the jet-black skies reveal otherworldly starry skies that lure travellers from far and wide. But can locals preserve the natural darkness?The US neighbourhood where cars are bannedIn Tempe, Arizona, Culdesac is reimagining US cities for people, not cars – and inviting travellers to explore its plazas, paseos and Mediterranean-inspired design.A day in Europe's most relaxed capital cityIn Oslo's Vulkan district, sustainability, style and everyday ease come together in a way that's making the Norwegian capital feel like Europe's most liveable city break.Monaco's new neighbourhood rising out of the seaBuilt on reclaimed land, Monaco's new Mareterra district blends cutting-edge sustainability with scenic sea views, offering a fresh way to explore the principality.How a smiling animal put an island on the mapFamous for its adorable quokkas, Rottnest Island has become a global favourite. But beyond the selfies lies a rich, complex story of culture, conservation and community.The Pacific islands that don't want to be HawaiiThe Cook Islands is proving that sustainable tourism isn't just possible – it's essential. Here's how this South Pacific nation is preserving their paradise for generations for come.Latest stories8 hrs agoUK puffins in peril as winter storms threaten mass seabird 'wreck'Hundreds of dead and dying seabirds are washing up on British beaches.8 hrs ago23 hrs agoThe cities where you'll never see flight adsMunicipalities across the world are clearing their billboards of flight ads, SUVs, cruise ships and petrol cars in an attempt to cut emissions.23 hrs ago4 days agoWhy encroaching seawater is becoming a global problemFrom Bangladesh to The Gambia, sea salt is increasingly seeping into the freshwaters people need for drinking and producing food.4 days ago8 days agoTrump revokes landmark ruling that greenhouse gases endanger public healthThe White House calls it the largest deregulation in US history, but environmentalists say it will prove costly for Americans.8 days ago12 Feb 2026How China became fixated on cloud seedingChina hopes to increasingly control when and where it rains. How is it done and does cloud seeding actually work?12 Feb 202611 Feb 2026Are wetter winters in UK and frequent flooding here to stay?Many places across the UK have experienced their wettest January in more than 100 years.11 Feb 202610 Feb 2026More solar farms on the way after record renewables auctionThe results have been welcomed by climate and clean energy groups but could face opposition from local communities. 10 Feb 20269 Feb 2026Businesses face extinction unless they protect nature, major report warnsExperts call for urgent action by businesses to restore the natural systems that keep them running.9 Feb 20269 Feb 2026How to get rare earths without mining rockAs nations posture over access to rare earth deposits, scientists say these coveted materials are hiding in plain sight – and can be harvested without any conventional mining at all.9 Feb 2026... Green Living This machine turns carbon dioxide into fuel Personal Effects Fur is back in fashion - and even more divisive It's having a moment with celebrities and Gen Z. But wearing any kind of fur, from vintage to faux, poses some difficult questions. Could a new plant-based variety be the way forward? Ten key items in our wardrobe is enough - here's why The dopamine-spiking effects of ultra-fast fashion are far outweighed by the wellbeing rewards of a capsule wardrobe, according to these less-is-more experts. Watch Can these 3D-printed sea walls protect marine wildlife? One team is on a mission to create 3D printed sea walls with environmental benefits. Sustainable giving: Giving fashion from upcycled scraps Want to gift sustainably, dress stylishly, and help the planet? Scraps might be the answer. How to live a zero-waste life in a wasteful world Living a zero-waste life is great for the environment and your wallet. How does it work? Intense beekeeping and wildfires are harming Turkey’s bees Turkey’s bee populations are dwindling due to intense beekeeping practices and wildfires. The luxury cars going electric Lara Lewington visits car manufacturer Bentley to find out how it is making the shift to electric. How to stay healthy like the Dutch The Dutch are known for being a nation of cyclists, does it make them healthier? In search of the world's finest Arabica coffee This Jamaican coffee is so special that Japan has dedicated a holiday to it. The small Danish island that makes more energy than it uses The small Danish Island of Ærø has been deemed the most sustainable European island of 2021. More stories What you can do to reduce carbon emissions Taylor Swift claims she offsets her travel carbon footprint - how does that work? Sustainable travel destinations for 2024 Colombia's Indigenous bird guardians The batteries built from cotton Green Getaways The remote village drawing stargazers from around the world In the Moon-like landscape of Hanle, the jet-black skies reveal otherworldly starry skies that lure travellers from far and wide. But can locals preserve the natural darkness? The US neighbourhood where cars are banned In Tempe, Arizona, Culdesac is reimagining US cities for people, not cars – and inviting travellers to explore its plazas, paseos and Mediterranean-inspired design. A day in Europe's most relaxed capital city In Oslo's Vulkan district, sustainability, style and everyday ease come together in a way that's making the Norwegian capital feel like Europe's most liveable city break. Monaco's new neighbourhood rising out of the sea Built on reclaimed land, Monaco's new Mareterra district blends cutting-edge sustainability with scenic sea views, offering a fresh way to explore the principality. How a smiling animal put an island on the map Famous for its adorable quokkas, Rottnest Island has become a global favourite. But beyond the selfies lies a rich, complex story of culture, conservation and community. The Pacific islands that don't want to be Hawaii The Cook Islands is proving that sustainable tourism isn't just possible – it's essential. Here's how this South Pacific nation is preserving their paradise for generations for come. Latest stories UK puffins in peril as winter storms threaten mass seabird 'wreck' Hundreds of dead and dying seabirds are washing up on British beaches. The cities where you'll never see flight ads Municipalities across the world are clearing their billboards of flight ads, SUVs, cruise ships and petrol cars in an attempt to cut emissions. Why encroaching seawater is becoming a global problem From Bangladesh to The Gambia, sea salt is increasingly seeping into the freshwaters people need for drinking and producing food. Trump revokes landmark ruling that greenhouse gases endanger public health The White House calls it the largest deregulation in US history, but environmentalists say it will prove costly for Americans. How China became fixated on cloud seeding China hopes to increasingly control when and where it rains. How is it done and does cloud seeding actually work? Are wetter winters in UK and frequent flooding here to stay? Many places across the UK have experienced their wettest January in more than 100 years. More solar farms on the way after record renewables auction The results have been welcomed by climate and clean energy groups but could face opposition from local communities. Businesses face extinction unless they protect nature, major report warns Experts call for urgent action by businesses to restore the natural systems that keep them running. How to get rare earths without mining rock As nations posture over access to rare earth deposits, scientists say these coveted materials are hiding in plain sight – and can be harvested without any conventional mining at all. Copyright 2026 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.
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