A recent exposé by The Atlantic states that Meta is using works from the Library Genesis (LibGen) database to train its AI models. The problem is that LibGen apparently has over 7.5 million pirated books and 81 million pirated research papers.
The Atlantic shares court documents showing that Meta discussed licensing books for its AI training material, but instead decided to use pirated work because it was faster and cheaper.
Meta argued that it could then use the US’s ‘fair use exception’ defense if it was challenged legally.
Researchers in China have announced that they have discovered a type of moss capable of surviving on Mars.
Syntrichia caninervis, a moss typically found in extreme environments on Earth such as Antarctica and the Mojave Desert in the US, has shown resilience in Mars-like conditions. These conditions include severe drought, high radiation levels, and extreme cold.
The research team claims their study is pioneering in examining how plants might survive and thrive on the Martian surface.
For those writing science fiction that takes place on Mars, this could inspire some of your world building.
“The saga continues as award-winning filmmaker Denis Villeneuve embarks on ‘Dune: Part Two,’ the next chapter of Frank Herbert’s celebrated novel Dune, with an expanded all-star international ensemble cast. The film, from Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures, is the highly anticipated follow-up to 2021’s six-time Academy Award-winning ‘Dune.'”
“‘Dune: Part Two’ will explore the mythic journey of Paul Atreides as he unites with Chani and the Fremen while on a warpath of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe, he endeavors to prevent a terrible future only he can foresee.”
“’Dune: Part Two’ was filmed on location in Budapest, Abu Dhabi, Jordan and Italy.”
“The film is slated for a November 3, 2023 worldwide release from Warner Bros. Pictures.”
The above text was from the Warner Bros. YouTube Channel.
Some of you may have noticed several plot holes in the most recent season of The Mandalorian.
ScreenCrush on YouTube does a great job of explaining possible answers to these plot holes. For the video, watch here. There’s also the bonus of seeing a cute dog.
I wrote down some of what was said below for those who don’t feel like watching a video.
SPOILER ALERT! If you do not want to see spoilers. Leave this page now.
Plot Hole #1: How did Grogu catch up and rescue Din Djarin in the final episode of the season?
Answer: It’s possible that Grogu fled to safety with the other Mandalorians, but then turned around and went looking for Din. And how did he find him? It has been established in Star Wars that one can use the force to find people, especially if they have a strong connection. Princess Leia used the force to find Luke at the end of The Empire Strikes Back. So it’s possible that Grogu used the force to find Din Djarin.
Plot Hole #2: How did a piece of glass prevent Grogu from using the force to save Din when he was captured? When Din was captured, we see Grogu behind glass trying to save him but unable to do so.
Answer: One theory is that it might be more difficult to connect to the force through objects. Another point connected to this one, is the following: How come a piece of glass blocks Grogu’s connection to the force, but he is powerful enough to use the force to protect himself, along with Din Djarin and Bo-Katan from a powerful, fiery explosion? A possible answer to this is that Grogu did spend time with Luke learning how to use the force. But it seems like Grogu mainly knows how to use the force for defensive, rather than offensive capabilities. In the battle scenes we see Grogu using the force to knock sabers out of the way, rather than using them for harm. That may be how Luke taught him.
Plot Hole #3: Why was Moff Gideon so ridiculously strong in the final battle scene? He was even able to crush the dark saber, the hilt of which is made out of high quality beskar armor.
Answer: One potential answer is that Moff Gideon’s armor is also made out of beskar. And not only is it beskar, but if you listen to him walking, the suit itself sounds robotic, as if he is wearing the equivalent of an Iron Man suit made out of beskar. The suit probably augments Moff Gideon’s strength.
Plot Hole #4: How did Axe Woves have enough fuel in his jet pack to blast into space, when a crux of a previous episode (The Foundling) is that the Mandalorians couldn’t pursue the child stolen by the pterodactyl-like-alien-thing because they ran out of jet fuel?
Answer: We don’t know how long the Mandalorians were actually pursuing the pterodactyl-like-alien-thing before they ran out of fuel. They could have been pursuing this creature for hundreds of miles before they ran out. Granted, the lowest satellites in orbit above the Earth are 160 km above the surface. However, when we see Axe Woves on the bridge of the ship, we can also see the planet’s atmosphere. So it’s likely that the ship is at the distance of an airplane, which is about 6 miles above the surface. It’s conceivable that Axe Woves would have enough jet fuel for 6 miles.
Plot Hole #5: It’s been established that Mandalorian second names are surnames, like Kryze, Fett, and Vizla. So why is Grogu named Din Grogu and not Grogu Djarin?
Answer: On one hand, it could be a silly mistake made by the writers. But on the other hand, Din Djarin is possibly not a native Mandalorian name. Din is from a planet called Aq Vetina. It is possible that when Death Watch took him in, he kept his original name, and his people may have a different naming convention.
Getting traditionally published is an uphill battle which is getting harder and harder each year. Several factors have made the game harder for authors, including increased competition from self-publishers, less people reading, and increased financial risks for mainstream publishers.
Thus as writers, it’s important for us on a grass roots level to support publishers who are helping to promote new authors and diverse forms of fiction.
Martian Magazine is doing what they can to publish quality sci-fi microfiction. They share great works from both new and experienced authors from around the world.
Micro-fiction (fiction of 100 words or less) doesn’t get much attention in the world of fiction, let alone sci-fi micro-fiction. It needs more support. Martian Magazine may not survive if they don’t get the funding they need.
More funding equals more micro-fiction, and more publishing opportunities for authors such as yourselves.
Twitter is abuzz today with the news that a second season of Moon Knight is in the making.
Moon Knight director Mohamed Diab and Oscar Isaac are currently in Cairo. When asked by a fan if season 2 was happening, Oscar Isaac replied, “Why else would we be here? (Source)”
SEASON 1 SPOILERS BELOW.
Overall the first season was a major success. Oscar Isaac was able to show off his remarkable acting talent by portraying two very different personalities: Tough guy American mercenary Marc Spector, and the meek, mild mannered, British gift shop cashier, Steven Grant.
The Disney+ action filled super hero story of Egyptian mythos and gods was very fun. I was definitely entertained.
However, my only hang up about the show was what happened in episode three of season one. Something so silly and ridiculous I wanted to throw a gold plated scarab at my TV.
Marc Spector is in Egypt trying to locate Ammit’s tomb, all while vying for control over his and Steven’s shared body. It’s critical for them to find Ammit’s tomb quickly, or else Arthur (the bad guy) will get there first, and resurrect a very dangerous goddess into the world.
However, in order to find Ammit’s tomb, the good guys need to know how the night sky looked one millennia earlier.
So what do they do?
Does Marc Spector or Layla download an astronomy app like SkySafari to see what the sky would’ve looked like a thousand years ago? The app costs $5.
NOPE! TOO EASY.
Instead, Khonshu, Egyptian lord of the moon and vengeance, changes the ENTIRE freaking night sky! This is a move so controversial it gets him imprisoned in stone by the other gods.
And all he had to do was pay $5 for an app.
Oh well. Their version was more dramatic than mine. Script called for it I guess.
Make sure your novel is actually finished. If you want to help your friends, you can retweet their tweets but don’t like them, unless you are an agent.
Unlike other pitch days, #SFFpit is only for sci-fi and fantasy. But what’s great about it is that you can make one pitch per hour. Giving you 10 chances to pitch your story.
Stories From Tomorrow - Jessica Brook's Author Site 