In Finland, two thousand unemployed people are part of an experiment that could shape the future of the West. For the next two years, the government will give them the equivalent of 660 dollars a month — for free, no strings attached. It’s an idea called Universal Income and it’s got a lot of politicians and economists excited, and others worried about creating a society of freeloaders.
But what does it look like? VICE News travelled to deepest, darkest, coldest Finland to meet a father of six taking part in the experiment to see how its changed his life and speak to those who are critical of the trial.
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Bacteria may not have a central or sensory nervous system as we know it, but they can still physically “feel” the world around them, according to a new study.
It turns out the tiny microorganisms don’t just respond to chemical signals — they also have a sense of touch, and can recognise surfaces and respond to them. Wow.
Our sense of touch is a very important tool for living in the world. It helps avoid hazards and dangerous surfaces, and keeps you from crushing delicate objects.
The “Off Grid Box” can provide clean drinking water and electricity just about anywhere. It can be used in developing countries or for people who simply prefer living off the grid.
Off Grid Box also says the device can be deployed in the event of a natural disaster.
The US Department of Transport (DoT) recently decreed that all hybrid and electric vehicles must make a noise to protect pedestrians, especially folks who are blind or have limited vision. Rather than just saying, “okay, we’re adding a noise to our EVs, you guys,” Nissan made a big production about releasing its “song,” even giving it a name. “‘Canto’ has been developed to help with pedestrian safety, as well as to provide … a sound that is energizing and confident,” the company said in a press release.
The sound changes tone and pitch when the vehicle speeds up and slows down, and is activated at speeds of around 12 to 19 mph. In the US, the standard is 30 km/h (19 mph), a rule the DoT said “will help prevent about 2,400 pedestrian injuries each year once all hybrids [sold in the US] are properly equipped.” Nissan says its own sound is also made to “enrich the aural environment of a typical city street” and be clearly audible, but not disturbing to city residents or vehicle occupants.
Nissan says that “Canto” comes from Latin and means “I sing,” adding that the sound is still subject to change. To me, the harmonic tone (below) sounds like a cross between an orchestra warming up and THX’s “the audience is listening” theater sound trailer. If you’re crossing the street when one of its future vehicles shows up (the EV above is the Leaf Nismo concept), it’s certain to make your activities feel more dramatic, anyway.
Women and men sat together Tuesday as some 3,000 business people, investors and officials from dozens of countries gathered in the capital of highly conservative Saudi Arabia.
Dubbed “Davos in the desert” — a reference to the annual World Economic Forum in Switzerland — the conference is the first of its kind.
IMF director Christine Lagarde (left) and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (center) attend the Future Investment Initiative conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday. Faisal Al Nasser / Reuters.
