Australia won the first Test by 159 runs but were bowled out for 180 on day one and the top order struggled again in the second innings. They slipped to 65-4 before Travis Head, Webster and Carey bailed them out.
In Grenada teenage opener Sam Konstas and veteran partner Usman Khawaja put on 47 before both were dismissed without another run added.
Smith top-edged a pull shot to fine leg, trying to take the attack to fast bowler Joseph, as Australia lost three wickets for three runs.
Smith, who has replaced Josh Inglis, missed the first Test after dislocating his right little finger during defeat by South Africa in the World Test Championship final at Lord’s last month.
Cameron Green fell to Jayden Seales off the final ball before lunch to leave the tourists in trouble at 93-4.
Following a brief delay for rain, Head was dismissed for 29, caught behind off Shamar Joseph, with the third umpire ruling wicketkeeper Shai Hope’s take low to his left was clean.
All-rounder Webster and wicketkeeper Carey responded brilliantly to steer Australia to 209-5 at tea.
Carey was more scratchy and was dropped on 46 by Hope but also hit 10 fours and one six in his 63 off 81 balls, before he tamely picked out mid-wicket off Justin Greaves.
Webster was firm in defence in making 60 off 115 but misjudged a risky second run to deep point and was run out by Keacy Carty as Australia’s lower order subsided.
Afghan and coalition forces killed numerous enemy fighters, captured terrorism suspects and repelled two attacks against bases in recent days, military officials reported.
Coalition and Afghan forces killed five militants and detained 10 suspects — including a targeted Haqqani terrorist group militant and a Taliban subcommander — during multiple operations in Afghanistan’s Khowst and Zabul provinces yesterday.
Afghan and coalition forces netted the Haqqani leader during a combined operation in the Sabari district of Khowst province that left five armed militants dead and seven suspects detained.
As the combined force approached the targeted man’s compound, several armed militants came out of the buildings and attacked the force with small-arms fire and hand grenades. The combined force returned fire, called in close-air support, and killed five armed militants. A search revealed several hand grenades and assault rifles, pistols and bomb-making materials.
An operation in Zabul province’s Qalat district yesterday resulted in the capture of a Taliban subcommander known for weapons trafficking and planning attacks against coalition forces along Highway 1, the major north-south road connecting Kandahar to Kabul. Coalition forces searched the targeted compound without incident and detained the subcommander and two other suspected militants while protecting nine women and 20 children.
In earlier operations:
— Coalition forces killed eight armed Taliban militants and detained one suspect in Zabul province’s Arghandad district Dec. 31. The operation targeted a Taliban subcommander wanted for his ties to a bombing network along Highway 1 and recent attacks against coalition forces. He also is believed to help foreign fighters enter the region. Coalition forces killed six militants who refused to leave the targeted compound, where a subsequent search revealed assault rifles, pistols and hand grenades. As coalition forces left the targeted building, armed militants moving along a nearby ridge attempted to engage them. The forces called in close-air support, and two armed militants were killed.
— Afghan National police and coalition forces killed three insurgents who tried to attack a forward operating base in the Nahr Surkh district of Helmand province Dec. 31.
— Afghan security guards thwarted a daytime insurgent attack on Shindand Airfield in western Afghanistan’s Herat province Dec. 29. Afghan National Police officers detained four insurgents for questioning. One insurgent who was wounded during the operation received medical care from a coalition medic, but died of his wounds. An Afghan National Army cleric took possession of the body to ensure an appropriate burial in accordance with Islamic religious customs.
— Afghan commandos and coalition forces killed an insurgent and detained five others during a Dec. 28 operation in Sanowghan in Herat province. The combined forces safeguarded two men, 12 women and 18 children during the operation. The insurgent killed had fired upon the commandos as they approached, and the commandos responded with small-arms fire. After the engagement, the combined forces met with village elders to discuss the reasons for the operation.
(Compiled from U.S. Forces Afghanistan news releases.)
Story by American Forces Press Service
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01.01.2009
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You want your games to play the smoothest they possibly can — but sometimes, screen technology gets in the way. That’s why some of the latest TVs and handhelds feature variable refresh rate (VRR) screens that can compensate when your graphics can’t deliver a consistent 60 or 120 frames per second.
The Nintendo Switch 2 has a VRR screen — and originally, Nintendo advertised that the Switch 2 would also work with your VRR-capable TV. But Nintendo soon scrubbed mentions of docked VRR from its website, and on May 16th, it apologized. “Nintendo Switch 2 supports VRR in handheld mode only,” the company told Nintendo Life, apologizing for “the incorrect information.”
But I’ve just confirmed that the official Nintendo Switch 2 dock does support VRR — by plugging the Steam Deck into it.
VRR works.Photo by Sean Hollister / The Verge
In fact, we found multiple rival handhelds can output 4K at 120Hz with both HDR and VRR if you plug them into the Nintendo Switch 2 dock. I saw the same with the Lenovo Legion Go S with SteamOS, and an Asus ROG Ally X with Bazzite. We got the idea from Reddit, where u/DynaMach and others have reported VRR working this way.
It’s not particularly practical to play a PC handheld via Nintendo’s dock, because you’ll need a female-to-male USB-C extension cable and you’ll need to continually hold it against Nintendo’s spring-loaded platform to keep it from getting ejected — but I just so happened to have one of those cables lying around.
A Legion Go S with SteamOS plugged into the Switch 2 dock with a USB-C extension.Photo by Sean Hollister / The Verge
And before you ask, yes, I did actually test that 4K VRR actually works at up to 120 frames per second — I didn’t just trust SteamOS’s flag that it was supported. I downloaded the open-source VRRTest tool and messed with various settings, just to check that intermediate framerates between 48fps and 60fps and 90fps all stayed smooth on my TV.
So if the Switch 2 supports VRR, and the dock supports VRR, why does Nintendo not offer VRR display output from the Nintendo Switch 2?
It would be a boon in many games, whether we’re talking about games like Cyberpunk 2077 that don’t run at 60fps on Switch to begin with, or even games that only occasionally dip below that threshold (say, 55fps) where that dip currently manifests as a big stutter in your gameplay.
Personally, I think it’s possible Nintendo just doesn’t think the Switch 2 is ready to put it on the big screen.
Last month, Digital Foundry found “clear problems” even in the Switch 2’s handheld VRR mode, including judder in Cyberpunk 2077 and No Man’s Sky’s 40fps “performance” modes, and even in Hitman: World of Assassination’s unlocked-but-capped 60fps mode — even though Nintendo’s own Welcome Tour showed proper VRR support.
“Clearly the feature is in there and working, because the Welcome Tour proves it, but the actual implementation in other games so far is disappointing,” Digital Foundry’s Rich Leadbetter explained on a podcast.
But if you’re looking for technical reasons why Nintendo might not pass along VRR to the official dock, Leadbetter tells me he hasn’t yet heard a good theory. He does believe, however, that Nintendo probably made an honest mistake when it wrote, then apologized for writing, that the Switch 2 would support VRR in TV mode. He doubts that Nintendo axed the feature at the last minute.
This is just the latest technological weirdness around the Switch 2’s launch, like we saw when testing the Switch 2’s semi-locked-down USB-C video output and why the best webcams didn’t work.
But as before, Nintendo is staying silent: it didn’t have a comment for our story.
Binaural beat-based audio suite supports focus, rest, and digital clarity with a non-invasive, non-clinical format—now updated for 2025.
Austin, July 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —
NeuroEnergizer 2025 Launches Strongest-Ever Sound-Based Focus Tool for OTC Digital Wellness Market
Neuro Energizer has officially released its 2025 update to NeuroEnergizer™, the company’s flagship binaural beat audio suite designed for non-clinical cognitive support. Positioned at the forefront of the over-the-counter digital wellness category, NeuroEnergizer™ continues to gain traction among consumers seeking passive, sound-based formats for enhancing focus and promoting calm. As public interest grows in non-ingestive mental clarity tools, the program has emerged as one of the most frequently discussed offerings in online wellness forums, thanks to its minimalist design and fully downloadable format.
Section 1 – Introduction: Understanding the Rise of Audio-Based Cognitive Tools
As search patterns surrounding non-clinical cognitive support tools continue to evolve, audio-based formats are becoming an area of growing consumer interest. With increasing public awareness around overstimulation and digital burnout, many individuals are exploring alternative wellness formats that emphasize minimalism and non-ingestive approaches.
Online platforms have seen a noticeable uptick in discussions about binaural beats, a form of auditory stimulation where slightly varied frequencies in each ear create the perception of a new tone in the brain. While not presented as a treatment or guaranteed result-based system, the interest in these programs often stems from a broader curiosity in neuroscience-adjacent self-help strategies.
The growing preference for digital delivery—especially formats that can be used passively while studying, resting, or meditating—continues to shape this segment of the wellness market. As a response, new brands and legacy wellness providers alike are investigating how sound-based tools may offer non-disruptive, low-risk avenues for individuals seeking gentle support for mental clarity.
To access the full program and accompanying materials, visit the official digital platform.
Section 2 – NeuroEnergizer™ 2025 Program Overview and Platform Accessibility Update
Neuro Energizer has released a detailed update on its flagship audio-based program, NeuroEnergizer™, reaffirming its positioning within the growing category of digital cognitive support tools. The product is structured around the use of binaural beats, an auditory method that produces frequency illusions in the brain when two slightly different tones are played in each ear. This approach remains aligned with rising interest in sound-based wellness models that require no supplements or wearable devices.
The NeuroEnergizer™ program is delivered entirely in digital format and consists of a core collection of downloadable audio tracks, a brief quick-start guide, and complementary tracks designed to support rest and decompression. Its compatibility with standard stereo headphones ensures accessibility without the need for proprietary hardware. These materials are structured for ease of use, allowing listeners to engage with the content during study sessions, rest periods, or focused work environments.
As part of its transparency update, Neuro Energizer emphasizes that the product is designed for non-clinical use only. It is not promoted as a treatment tool, and no claims are made regarding specific cognitive outcomes. The company has also clarified that individual experiences with binaural audio may vary, and the product should be used only in appropriate, comfortable environments where safe listening practices can be followed.
The update further confirms that NeuroEnergizer™ is available via secure digital download and does not require a recurring subscription or hardware purchase. As a passive-use product rooted in established acoustic techniques, the program fits within a broader consumer movement favoring minimal-intervention wellness strategies, particularly those that blend ambient soundscapes with frequency-based methods.
Section 4 – Technology Spotlight: Binaural Beats and Audio Structure in NeuroEnergizer™
At the core of the NeuroEnergizer™ program is a series of audio tracks designed using binaural beats technology, a form of auditory stimulation that relies on the brain’s natural interpretation of sound frequency differentials. This approach utilizes stereo audio playback where two slightly different frequencies are presented in each ear, leading the brain to perceive a third “phantom” tone that does not actually exist in the external sound field.
This phenomenon, often referred to as brainwave entrainment, has become a widely discussed area of interest in digital wellness communities. While not classified as a therapeutic or diagnostic modality, it is frequently incorporated into non-clinical environments for its ability to generate immersive, rhythmic soundscapes that support calming or focus-friendly atmospheres.
The NeuroEnergizer™ audio program includes multiple categories of tracks. Some are geared toward maintaining a relaxed yet alert state during focused work, while others are curated with restfulness in mind, such as the included sleep-focused audio collection. These are delivered in standard digital format and can be played using any device that supports stereo headphones.
Additionally, the product includes a Quick Start PDF Guide, which outlines usage considerations without prescribing any regimen or step-by-step sequence. This inclusion supports the program’s positioning as a passive-use audio wellness tool, compatible with individual experimentation and personal routine development.
Though binaural beats are not new, their application in structured programs like NeuroEnergizer™ represents an evolving trend where consumers explore sound as an ambient environmental element—rather than a clinical or performance tool. The technology stands apart for its non-chemical, non-invasive nature, and its emphasis on user-led engagement, free from prescriptive outcomes or quantified expectations.
Further details about the audio collection and user guide are available through the provider’s main channel.
Section 5 – Market Reception and the Role of User-Led Exploration
The launch and ongoing availability of NeuroEnergizer™ intersect with a broader movement in digital wellness where consumers are increasingly steering their own exploratory journeys. Rather than relying on fixed protocols or expert recommendations, many users are engaging with non-directive formats—such as binaural beats audio—to support self-defined mental and emotional states.
Within online discussions and user communities, interest in products like NeuroEnergizer™ often centers around the appeal of autonomy. These programs are not positioned as clinical interventions, nor do they prescribe any particular schedule or outcome. Instead, they are framed as resources—tools that users can adopt, adapt, or abandon based on how they feel in the moment. This flexible framework has resonated with individuals seeking low-pressure ways to create moments of mental clarity or relaxation without obligation or risk.
The decision by Neuro Energizer to emphasize minimalism—providing a curated audio set, a straightforward guide, and optional rest-oriented tracks—has aligned with feedback trends indicating a preference for streamlined content over feature-heavy platforms. The absence of gamified dashboards, in-app tracking, or usage mandates reflects an understanding of the market’s current desire for ambient tools rather than quantified performance solutions.
While individual outcomes with sound-based programs remain highly variable, the public tone surrounding this category tends to favor experiential neutrality. Rather than focusing on results, many consumers describe their interest in such programs as part of a broader digital hygiene practice—aimed at rebalancing overstimulated environments rather than solving specific conditions.
In this context, NeuroEnergizer™ continues to maintain a position not of authority or outcome delivery, but of optionality—placing the power of usage, frequency, and intention entirely in the hands of the listener.
Section 6 – Availability and Transparency Statement
The NeuroEnergizer™ program is currently available as a digital audio collection delivered electronically via secure download. It includes the full suite of sound-based tracks, a quick-start PDF listening guide, and bonus relaxation-oriented audio files. No physical components are included, and there are no hardware requirements beyond standard stereo headphones for optimal listening.
In line with current transparency standards across the digital wellness space, Neuro Energizer clearly states that the product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, and that outcomes may vary based on individual use and listening environments. The program is framed as an informational and experiential tool, appropriate for those exploring non-clinical auditory methods of self-regulated focus, calm, or rest.
The company also advises all users to listen in safe, seated or reclining positions—particularly during rest-oriented sessions—and to consult with a healthcare provider before incorporating any new auditory protocol, especially for individuals with sensitivity to sound stimulation.
This offering aligns with the continued growth of wellness technologies that emphasize user discretion, minimalism, and non-invasive design, with all materials presented for informational purposes only. Further details can be accessed directly through the official Neuro Energizer digital platform.
Information regarding audio components, compatibility, and user guidance is available through the primary access portal.
Section 7 – Final Observations & Industry Context
The 2025 update from Neuro Energizer reflects the evolving standards of the digital wellness sector, where audio-based programs are increasingly seen as legitimate tools for lifestyle support—provided they maintain clarity, neutrality, and user-centered transparency. As the wellness industry continues to diversify beyond supplements and wearables, passive-use formats such as binaural beat audio collections are gaining traction for their low-friction integration into daily life.
From an industry perspective, the emphasis on non-therapeutic positioning is a response to both regulatory expectations and consumer demand for authenticity. Rather than making bold claims or promising transformation, brands like Neuro Energizer are adopting a more measured tone—acknowledging public interest in the science of sound while staying grounded in realistic use cases.
This shift mirrors a larger trend in wellness communication where clarity outweighs persuasion. In product design, this translates to lightweight frameworks, optional components, and the absence of prescriptive routines. In messaging, it means releasing updates that prioritize informed access over motivational calls to action.
Within this framework, NeuroEnergizer™ positions itself not as a solution but as a sound-based resource for those exploring mental clarity and focus in a non-clinical context. As binaural beats and sound entrainment remain ongoing areas of interest, the program’s 2025 availability update reinforces its commitment to transparency, ease of use, and alignment with consumer-driven standards in the wellness audio space.
Section 8 – Public Commentary Theme Summary: “Pros & Cons” in Consumer Discussion
In open online discussion spaces, commentary on programs like NeuroEnergizer™ often reflects a broad spectrum of experiential themes. While individual results are not typically reported in measurable terms, recurring sentiments point to several consistent observations—both curious and cautious in tone.
Among positive themes, some users have noted appreciation for the ease of access, with particular attention given to the digital format and its compatibility with existing devices. The absence of subscription requirements and the self-paced structure have also been mentioned as favorable, especially by those seeking low-commitment tools that integrate seamlessly into daily routines. A recurring discussion point centers on the program’s minimalist design, which many interpret as intentionally respectful of user autonomy.
On the other hand, some public posts have expressed skepticism regarding expectations, especially from those who were new to binaural beat technology and uncertain about what effects—if any—to anticipate. A few have indicated interest in more structured usage guidance, while others have questioned how to assess subjective responses to auditory stimuli. These conversations reflect a wider industry challenge around setting realistic frameworks for digital wellness tools that do not promise specific outcomes.
Neutral commentary often highlights that user experience depends heavily on setting, mindset, and prior familiarity with sound-based resources. Listeners who engage with the program in quiet, distraction-free environments tend to describe more immersive sessions, while those multitasking or experimenting during high-stimulation activities report more variable impressions.
Taken together, the public tone surrounding NeuroEnergizer™ mirrors a common dynamic in the wellness technology space: a mix of interest, exploration, and expectation calibration. The product’s ability to remain transparent about its purpose, without implying guarantees, continues to support its fit within the self-guided wellness category.
As sound-based wellness tools continue to gain visibility in the digital health landscape, NeuroEnergizer™ remains committed to providing accessible, non-clinical resources that align with modern consumer preferences for passive, non-invasive cognitive support. The 2025 program update reflects the brand’s ongoing focus on transparency, ease of use, and experiential wellness—without relying on supplements, wearables, or prescriptive routines. Users are encouraged to explore the platform in comfortable, distraction-free environments to discover how sound may enhance their mental clarity or rest experience.
About Neuro Energizer
Neuro Energizer is a digital wellness brand specializing in audio-based tools designed for non-clinical lifestyle support. Founded with a mission to provide streamlined, self-guided resources rooted in established auditory techniques, the company emphasizes transparency, accessibility, and user autonomy. Its flagship product, NeuroEnergizer™, incorporates binaural beat technology to offer immersive soundscapes suitable for rest, focus, or general relaxation.
All offerings are developed for informational and experiential use only and are not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any medical condition. Neuro Energizer continues to contribute to the evolving landscape of passive wellness tools by delivering digital resources that reflect consumer demand for minimalist, low-barrier formats.
As Comic-Con returns this month, fans are once again looking forward to the Saturday night Masquerade — a long-running tradition where costumers go big with handmade outfits and full-on stage performances. Back in 2015, one standout group turned heads by taking the X-Men back to the 18th century, mixing comic book characters with Rococo style, à la Marie Antoinette by way of Sofia Coppola.
Arabella Benson, a longtime Masquerade participant, led the team behind “Let Them Eat Cake Presents: X-Men Days of Future Past, Past,” which reimagined Marvel’s mutants in powdered wigs, panniers and silk brocade.
“Masquerade can be something as simple as walking onstage and showing off your costume,” Benson said at the time, while working on an elaborate, flaming orange wig. “I think that when it’s something at the level of Comic-Con, it’s a really big stage. I think Ballroom 20 is 6,000 or 4,000 people — that’s a lot of people. I think you are perfectly welcome to walk on stage and be beautiful, but you will be kind of overshadowed by the people who do full-on skits, by people who do dance routines.”
Like kaiju showgirls stomping Tokyo to “A Chorus Line’s” signature “One,” or a Tatooine take on “West Side Story’s” “America” song with a bunch of Jawas dancing in rainbow-colored petticoats.
In 2011, Benson and her group performed a tango as Gotham villains. “We came up with this group called Arkham Tango and we did this really cool tango, and we thought we were the coolest, sexiest thing that ever was,” she recalled. “And then we won Best Humorous. So we learned something there — and that’s OK, because I got to tango with Batman with a rose in my teeth. You can’t go better than that.”
The group followed up in 2013 with Marvel Mumbai, a Bollywood-inspired take on the Avengers. By 2015, they went full Rococo with their mutant skit. “We’re getting ready for the Comic-Con Masquerade. Our costumes are on the verge — the very verge — of being done,” Benson said at the time. “But we’re down to the little fiddly bits like the hem, and we’re adding some more trim. The nature of our dresses, there can’t really be enough trim. (Fellow costumer Erwyn Hildebrand) dulled a pair of pinking shears cutting my trim. That happens.”
A few weeks before the event, Benson had been hand-painting silk wings her Phoenix costume. But by the final days, plans had changed.
Arabella Benson paints silk wings for her Rococo Phoenix costume. The wings were later scrapped because they didn’t dry in time.
“If I have learned anything in Masquerade, it is to roll with the punches,” she said. “The beautiful silk wings I was painting had not dried, so I cannot set the dye with the iron so that whole idea has been scrapped. We lost our Wolverine because he got a nice, high-paying job. And as much fun as Masquerade costumes are, work and money is a little bit better.”
Her husband, who was originally going to portray Beast, stepped into the Wolverine instead — a key part of the skit’s time-travel twist. “Our joke is that Wolverine gets sent too far back by Kitty Pride, instead of going to 1973, he goes to 1773,” Benson said.
Costume sketches for “Let Them Eat Cake Presents: X-Men Days of Future Past, Past” show 18th-century-inspired versions of Marvel’s X-Men characters.
With just a few days to finish before the 2015 Masquerade, stress was running high. Benson said, “I have to hem it. Once I hem it, I could go onstage with it, but I will know that it didn’t have any beads on it, and that would make me sad. I have Yuly, who still doesn’t have sleeves on her dress, she thinks I don’t know, but there are no sleeves on her dress. And so it’s getting kind of tense. The sun’s going down and we are counting down the hours. I’ve given up on checklists, and Erwyn’s hair is not done. I know that. I know these things because I’m boss queen. I’m gonna let them eat dinner. They can eat dinner. I might even give them some cookies.”
The team brought their Rococo X-Men skit to the Masquerade stage that Saturday night, dazzling the crowd with elaborate costuming and historical flair. A decade later, “Let Them Eat Cake Presents: X-Men Days of Future Past, Past” still circulates in Comic-Con memories, a tribute to what happens when comics, couture and creativity collide. I followed up with the group after the show — they didn’t win, but their performance (and a few wild entries from that year’s Masquerade) are captured in this recap:
What can the climate history of Mars teach scientists about whether the Red Planet once had the ingredients for life as we know it? This is what a recent study published in Nature hopes to address as a team of researchers from the United States and Canada investigated the geological, atmospheric, and surface processes that might have played a role in Mars losing its ability to host life on its surface. This study has the potential to help scientists put constraints on when Mars could have had life and where to look for it.
For the study, the researchers developed a model that discussed how solar radiation, liquid water, carbonate formation with rocks, atmospheric pressure, and carbon dioxide all worked in tandem to determine whether the surface of Mars could sustain life as we know it. In the end, they found that while increased solar radiation resulted in liquid water existing on the surface, this also led to carbonate formation that absorbed atmospheric carbon dioxide, ultimately limiting the amount of liquid water that existed. Essentially, a negative feedback loop was created. The researchers note Mars going to several cycles of wetness and dryness worsened this feedback, resulting in the desert planet we see today.
“For years, we’ve had this huge unanswered question for why Earth has managed to keep its habitability while Mars lost it,” said Dr. Edwin Kite, who is an associate professor of geophysical sciences at the University of Chicago and lead author of the study. “Our models suggest that periods of habitability on Mars have been the exception, rather than the rule, and that Mars generally self-regulates as a desert planet.”
Carbonate rocks were the limiting factor in solving this conundrum, but NASA’s Curiosity rover discovered some carbonate rocks earlier this year, which helped scientists unlock a unique geological mystery regarding the climate history of Mars.
Image of Mt. Sharp on Mars captured by NASA’s Curiosity rover. (Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS)
What new discoveries about Mars’ climate history will researchers make in the coming years and decades? Only time will tell, and this is why we science!
More than 70 writers wrote an open letter outlining their issues with the use of A.I. in the literary world. Their main demand is for publishing houses to never release books created by machines.
JUANA SUMMERS, HOST:
A large number of authors have a crystal-clear message for publishers – keep AI out of the industry. More than 70 writers wrote an open letter recently outlining their issues with the use of AI in the literary world. Their main demand is for publishing houses to never release books that were created by machines. Solving the problem of when to use AI, if at all, along with the fear of being replaced by AI is a challenge dozens of industries are facing. To talk more about that open letter and how many authors are viewing the fight against AI, I’m joined by best-selling romance novelist Jasmine Guillory. Welcome back.
JASMINE GUILLORY: Thank you so much. Thank you for having me.
SUMMERS: So Jasmine, as I mentioned, you are among those more than 70 writers who signed on to this letter against the use of artificial intelligence in publishing. Just start by setting this up for us. What are some of the issues that you all are seeing, and what are some of the demands that you have?
GUILLORY: The biggest demand that we have is that publishers not use AI in creating books. So that is, ensure that the books that they publish are written by actual humans. But it’s more than that. It’s that the art that goes on our covers is made by actual humans, that the editors are people, that our copy editors are people. It sounds weird to say that we want humans to be the ones writing and editing and creating books, but that is exactly the main goal of the letter. And I will add that since the letter came out, thousands more authors have joined in and signed.
SUMMERS: Was there something that made you feel like you had to sign on to this? Was there an event that happened or a development in your industry that made you realize you wanted to join into this effort?
GUILLORY: I think it’s just been a lot of little things – hearing that covers have been made with AI, hearing that publishers have used, for instance, AI translators to translate books of ours into other languages, you know, vice versa.
SUMMERS: I mean, one of the things that really struck me as I was reading this letter was the emphasis not just on the writing itself but the editors, the copy editors, the publicists, the publishers who have helped to care for and develop and launch the books that you and the other authors have written. Can you spell out a bit how AI is impacting these groups?
GUILLORY: Yeah. I mean, I think publishing already doesn’t have enough people working in it, right? Like, editors are swamped. Copy editors are swamped. Assistants trying to join the industry aren’t getting the mentoring that they need because editors have too much work. And now they want to take some of that work and give it to AI, whereas we want more people involved, right? We want publishing to continue to be an industry that is about people creating art, people learning from one another, people talking to one another about it.
SUMMERS: One line in the letter that stuck out to me, and I’m going to read it. It says that, “AI is an enormously powerful tool, here to stay, with the capacity for real societal benefits, but the replacement of art and artist is not one of them,” end quote. You all acknowledge clearly that AI is indeed here to stay, but you also make note of what you all feel it can’t replace. The question I guess I have is, given the fact that AI is likely here to stay, do you see a path forward for authors like yourself in working with it? Is it realistic to think that it won’t play any role in writing or publishing?
GUILLORY: You know, there are lots of things in publishing where AI can make a job faster. If you’re putting together a book, I’m sure there are certain things that AI can do to make the kind of machinery of it more efficient. But I think the important thing is that the art part of creating a book is made by humans. And that something that I learned in elementary school is that plagiarism is wrong, right? I feel like…
SUMMERS: Right.
GUILLORY: …We all kind of learned that in an early stage. I feel like we’re all recognizing that. But I think too many people don’t recognize that AI is plagiarism, that trying to use our work to create AI works is just theft without giving us either credit or compensation for it.
SUMMERS: If the demands that are stated here aren’t met by these publishing houses, how do you see that impacting your work, other authors’ work?
GUILLORY: We’re all kind of talking about that internally. A lot – I’ve talked to a lot of authors who have put AI clauses in their contracts to ensure that, you know, there will be actual people working on their books. And I think some of that has to start with the top down, right? It has to start with authors who have power to put that in their contracts, and then trickles down to, you know, debut authors who may not think about it or who may not have the power and are trying to work together for this movement and to help one another.
SUMMERS: Author Jasmine Guillory, thank you so much. When NPR first reported on this story, we reached out to all five of the publishing houses named in the letter and received one response ahead of the publication deadline. Simon & Schuster takes these concerns seriously, spokesperson Susannah Lawrence said in a statement. We are actively engaged in protecting the intellectual property rights of our authors.
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MOSCOW, July 3 (Xinhua) — Russia successfully launched the Progress MS-31 cargo spacecraft into orbit using a Soyuz-2.1a rocket on Thursday, Russia’s state space corporation Roscosmos said.
The carrier rocket lifted off from Baikonur Cosmodrome. The spacecraft is expected to reach the International Space Station (ISS) in approximately two days, at 12:28 a.m. Sunday local time (2128 GMT Saturday). The spacecraft will stay in orbit for 167 days, Roscosmos said.
Progress MS-31 will deliver over 2.6 tonnes of cargo to the ISS, including 950 kilograms of fuel for refueling, 50 kilograms of nitrogen to replenish the ISS atmosphere, 420 kilograms of drinking water, as well as food, clothing, hygiene products and medical supplies for the crew.
Additionally, the spacecraft carries equipment and consumables for station maintenance and repair, as well as experiments. ■
