They're not even trying to hide it. The post Law Firm Sacks Hundreds of Employees Amid Pivot to AI appeared first on Futurism.

Ian McKellen Performs Powerful Pro-Immigrant Monologue by Shakespeare on ‘Late Show’   Ver esta publicación en Instagram   Una publicación compartida por The Late Show (@colbertlateshow) William Shakespeare’s writing captures the struggles of life, love, and power in a way that has rendered his work timeless. But as Sir Ian McKellen has brought to light, the themes the bard touched on centuries ago are just as […] READ: Ian McKellen Performs Powerful Pro-Immigrant Monologue by Shakespeare on ‘Late Show’

Madman or visionary? A little of both? A genius? A brand? A mensch? David Lynch was all these things and more, and this fan-made video above serves as a quick reminder of the career and the consistency of the film director/artist/transcendental meditator who passed away last year. Early in the video we see one of […]

Nevada is packed with rugged and remote landscapes that call explorers to venture into the unknown and see what’s out there. Thankfully, the vast majority of the state is stewarded by the federal government—mainly the Bureau of Land Management. Not only does this ensure public lands continue to be preserved and protected for future generations of adventurers, it also means that the sixth-largest state is practically wide-open to anyone looking for adventure. In Nevada’s diverse, open spaces, there’s something for every type of intrepid traveler. Whether you’re taking in its beauty by horseback, off-roading, hiking, or fishing, it’s easy to find wonder on its 48 million acres of protected land. So what are you waiting for? Grab your map (and your sunscreen!) and take the roads less traveled through canyons, steppes, deserts, and more. Gold Butte National Monument Spanning 300,000 acres of striking sandstone formations, Gold Butte makes up one of southeastern Nevada’s most distinctive natural landscapes. Exploring these vivid red rocks feels like stepping into ancient history, with intricate petroglyphs that carry the stories of Indigenous peoples who once inhabited the area. For adventurous visitors, the monument offers hiking trails, off-road driving, and camping sites. This official back country byway offers stunning vistas and incredible formations including the otherworldly Little Finland and the Devil’s Throat—a 110-foot-wide sinkhole. Hickison Petroglyph Recreation Area Located just off the “Loneliest Road in America” between Austin and Eureka, this treasure trove of Nevada history gives a first-hand glimpse at the lives of the Western Shoshone people 10,000 years ago, back when the Great Basin Desert was primarily lakes and wetlands. The area’s interpretive trail offers an easy way to take in the breadth of this history and gaze across the Big Smokey Valley, which takes its name from the haze that often settles over its expanse. Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge This 570,000-acre refuge was established in 1931 to protect the once-endangered American pronghorn, and today it’s home to a wide variety of wildlife unique to the Great Basin, from greater sage-grouse to California bighorn sheep. The landscape itself consists of rolling valleys, hidden canyons, and sweeping open plains, as well as one of the best-preserved sagebrush steppe ecosystems in the region. Elevations range from 4,000 feet to 7,200 feet on Catnip Mountain, making for a dynamic hiking experience with plenty of spectacular, cliff-top panoramas. In addition to plentiful animal watching (including spotting a native fish like the cutthroat trout or Alvord chub), visitors can explore springs, expansive valleys, and winding streams. High Rock Canyon From the top of High Rock’s towering walls, visitors will find unforgettable views of this remote corner of the Black Rock Desert. Formed long ago by lava flows, the canyon’s layered gray, orange, and brown rock contains numerous caves, as well as “pioneer graffiti”—inscriptions, names, and dates carved by the 19th-century travelers. Because the canyon and its surrounding environment are so far removed from civilization, the dark night sky glistens with stars, and various tent camping sites—plus a few first-come-first-served free BLM cabins—offer the chance to take in these sights in undisturbed solitude. In the springtime, golden eagles and other birds of prey migrate to the canyon, so be sure to keep a look out for perched nests as you traverse the backroads. Lovelock Cave Historic Site Venture down the Lovelock Cave Backcountry Byway to reach this gem in Nevada’s Humboldt Sink. Though the space is small, it’s considered the “Cradle of Great Basin Archaeology” because of its groundbreaking contributions to the study of pre-Columbian civilizations. Most notably, the world’s oldest duck decoys were discovered here, including the Tule Duck Decoy, which is officially recognized as Nevada’s state artifact. The cave is accessible via a half-mile hike, where explorers can learn more about the land that once contained the ancient Lake Lahontan. Inside the cave, a wooden deck provides an ideal viewing point of where historic remains have been recovered over the years, as well as the burn marks where Native Americans once made fire. Marietta Wild Burro Range This haven for wild burros spans over 60,000 acres across Mineral County, not far from the abandoned 19th-century mining town of Marietta. Dozens of free-roaming burros—the descendants of mining donkeys—can be observed living peacefully on this high-desert terrain. The herd often passes by the wood-framed structures of Marietta that still remain, as well as Teel’s Marsh playa—once the site of the world’s largest borax operation. The burros are protected under the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act, which forbids visitors from feeding or touching them, so bring a pair of binoculars to better see them up close. Along the area’s dirt roads, visitors may also spot old mining shafts and other animals such as mule deer, rattlesnakes, and pronghorn antelope.

Located along the Elbe River in Hamburg’s affluent Teufelsbrück (“Devil’s Bridge”) district, a sandstone sculpture depicts a horned creature lost in thought, holding a small hare by one ear. The work, called Der Teufel und der Hase (“The Devil and the Hare”), captures a famous local legend. Folklore holds that a young carpenter, struggling to build a bridge over marshy ground in the neighborhood, made a pact with the devil, trading the soul of the first creature to cross the finished bridge for supernatural help. After the structure was completed and blessed, a hare crossed it first, thwarting the fiend’s expectation of a human soul. According to the legend, he then vanished into the surrounding marshland, giving the area its name. The sculpture’s real-world history has been almost as turbulent as its legend. Since the first figure was erected in the late 1920s, the devil has been stolen, damaged, or removed repeatedly. Wooden versions disappeared outright, while later iterations vanished overnight, only to resurface years later in private apartments, sometimes stripped of dignity and put to mundane use. By the 1980s, the tally had reached six stolen or destroyed devils, turning a folkloric monument into a recurring civic problem. Since 2000, the riverbank has been occupied by a more resolute incarnation, carved from Elbe sandstone by local stonemason Bert Ulrich Beppler. Weighing close to a metric ton (about 2,200 pounds), the sculpture was meant to end the cycle of theft. Although removal is no longer feasible, some vandalism has continued. Even so, it remains at Teufelsbrück, making it the longest-surviving version of a figure Hamburg has consistently failed to hold on to.

This could be a breakthrough. The post Scientists Spot Huge Cave on Venus appeared first on Futurism.

In a video shared with Palantir employees, Alex Karp did not explain how ICE is utilizing the company's products. Instead, workers were told they can sign NDAs if they want detailed information.

"You don't work less. You just work the same amount or even more." The post Researchers Studied What Happens When Workplaces Seriously Embrace AI, and the Results May Make You Nervous appeared first on Futurism.

From beyond the grave. The post Meta Patented AI That Takes Over Your Account When You Die, Keeps Posting Forever appeared first on Futurism.

Is it really the best time to arm them with spears and swords? The post Chinese Robots Can Now Run Up Walls appeared first on Futurism.

New Exhibition Chronicles the Evolution of Chicano Photography Across Six Decades Since its opening in 2022, The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture of the Riverside Art Museum has been a beacon for Mexican-American art. On top of housing one of its largest permanent collections, it has spotlighted different facets of Chicano art through temporary exhibitions. Its latest exhibition, Chicano Camera Culture: A Photographic […] READ: New Exhibition Chronicles the Evolution of Chicano Photography Across Six Decades

We might look at the dull weather, and perhaps the seemingly dull suburban environment that many of us might live in and think "no photography today." But to do so is to miss a potential gold mine of photographic possibilities. Today we are going to look at capturing the magic in the mundane. The post Capturing Magic In The Mundane appeared first on Light Stalking.

"As the workers who provide the foundational labor in building this technology, we are horrified." The post Google Has a Major Problem With ICE appeared first on Futurism.

Stunning Photo Captures Vibrant Plumage of Bird Mid-Flight Over the Himalayas In 2011, Dr. Sudhir Hasamnis was a self-described workaholic. With almost 12-hour work days, he had devoted 39 years of his life to one of the most respected industrial houses in India, where he held a management position. This lifestyle would sadly take a toll on his health, resulting in a heart attack. He luckily […] READ: Stunning Photo Captures Vibrant Plumage of Bird Mid-Flight Over the Himalayas

Andy Warhol-Inspired Campbell’s Soup Can LEGO Build Opens up To Reveal the Artist’s Studio Andy Warhol’s Campbell’s Soup Cans is one of the most recognizable works of Pop Art. Created between 1961 and 1962, the series turns a familiar supermarket product into art, reflecting a world shaped by mass production, advertising, and consumer culture. Inspired by the iconic image, LEGO designer HonorableImmenseWorriz has created a sculptural LEGO soup can […] READ: Andy Warhol-Inspired Campbell’s Soup Can LEGO Build Opens up To Reveal the Artist’s Studio

It's not nearly as easy as one might think. The post If Scientists Ever Find Strong Evidence of Alien Life, Communicating It Will Pose Serious Issues appeared first on Futurism.

We know more or less everything we could possibly know about ancient Egyptian civilization. That owes in large part to the advanced state of record-keeping it achieved, and how many of its writings have survived, up to and including — as previously featured here on Open Culture — a homework assignment and a list of […]

Lavish Scenes Are Rendered in Stained Glass at This Monumental Sanctuary [Interview] When Judith Schaechter first encountered stained glass during her studies at RISD, she instantly knew that the material would dramatically alter the trajectory of her career. It turns out that her intuition was correct. For years, the Philadelphia-based artist has produced intricate glass compositions, complete with vibrant color palettes and enchanting patterns. What defines her […] READ: Lavish Scenes Are Rendered in Stained Glass at This Monumental Sanctuary [Interview]

Beloved African Elephant Craig the “Super Tusker” Dies at 54 Years Old   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by NJ Wight (@njwight) One of the most beloved African elephants has sadly passed away at the age of 54 due to natural causes. The “super tusker” known as Craig lived and died at Amboseli National Park in Kenya. It is with much grief that […] READ: Beloved African Elephant Craig the “Super Tusker” Dies at 54 Years Old

Jakob Eirich is a German freelance concept artist, art director and illustrator based in Soest, with 6K+ Instagram followers and a portfolio showcasing stylised fantasy characters, creatures and illustrations that blend Japanese anime influences with Western realism. A Pratt Institute graduate whose work has been featured in ImagineFX, Spectrum 27 and Creative Bloq’s “2D art […]

ICE plans to lease offices throughout the US as part of a secret, months-long expansion campaign. WIRED is publishing dozens of these locations.

Axel Sauerwald is a German freelance concept artist and illustrator based in Soest, Germany, who began his career at Atomhawk Design (Newcastle) in 2018 before going independent in 2020. He has collaborated with major studios like Blizzard/Activision (Mortal Kombat 11), Wizards of the Coast, Aaron Sims Creative and others, creating character designs, illustrations and marketing […]

Evgeny Romanov ia a freelance concept artist and former 3D hard‑surface artist who specializes in atmospheric environment and character design for games and entertainment, with experience at Terraform Studios, RESCALE Games, Lilith Games and others. His portfolio on ArtStation shows a focus on moody, story‑driven worlds—foggy industrial sites, sci‑fi structures, ruined forests—and he also creates […]