Webtagr - Technology News Summarizer

Historical Fencing: Reviving the Art of the Medieval Duel

2025-07-18

A journalist recounts her experience learning historical European martial arts (HEMA), a unique blend of historical research and practical combat. From clumsy beginnings to mastering basic techniques, she ultimately applies her skills to a theatrical production, bringing historical duels to life on stage. The article explores HEMA's history, current state, and its transformative effects on participants, building confidence and strategic thinking. Interviews with HEMA enthusiasts reveal the sport's appeal and its rich historical and cultural significance.

(thewalrus.ca)

Misc historical fencing medieval dueling

The Empress of Ireland: A Forgotten Tragedy

2025-07-15

In 1914, the Empress of Ireland sank, claiming 1,014 lives, surpassing even the Titanic's death toll. Yet, unlike the Titanic, the Empress's tragedy remains largely unknown. This article recounts the author's investigation into survivor Gordon Charles Davidson, debunking the fabricated tale of his miraculous swim to shore, and explores why this disaster faded from collective memory, delving into the catastrophe and its impact on society.

(thewalrus.ca)

Misc shipwreck

The Canadian Music Industry's Struggle: Indie Artists in the Streaming Era

2025-06-29

This article explores the struggles of the Canadian music industry, particularly the immense challenges faced by independent musicians. From Cadence Weapon's unequal contract with a record label to meager streaming royalties, high touring costs, and the impact of AI technology, independent artists are struggling to make a living. The article examines government funding, copyright reform, and artists' own efforts as possible solutions, ultimately concluding that independent musicians need to reassess their value and actively explore new business models to survive in the harsh industry competition.

(thewalrus.ca)

Misc

A Freelancer's Wild Ride: From Horse Racing News to Erotica

2025-05-24

A young freelance writer takes on a series of bizarre jobs to make ends meet: crafting newsletters for a horse racing company, writing content for fast-food chains and breweries, and even penning erotica! Initially dreaming of a career as a novelist, health issues force her to abandon her studies and embrace freelancing. After navigating challenges and struggles, she finds her own unique path, balancing writing and drawing. This humorous and poignant tale showcases the resilience and courage of a young person fighting to survive in the modern world.

(thewalrus.ca)

Misc

Sortition: A Return to Ancient Athenian Democracy?

2025-05-21

This article explores the potential of replacing elections with sortition (random selection) of political representatives. Ancient Athenian democracy utilized sortition for council and jury selection, embodying the principle of rotational governance. Today, facing issues of underrepresentation in electoral systems, scholars and activists propose reviving sortition to enhance decision-making's representativeness and inclusivity. The article analyzes the experiences of citizen assemblies in Canada, Ireland, and elsewhere, acknowledging sortition's potential to improve decision quality and representation while highlighting challenges in accountability and public engagement. Ultimately, the article argues that sortition isn't a simple replacement for elections but should complement them, coupled with effective public communication mechanisms, to better achieve democratic goals.

(thewalrus.ca)

Misc electoral reform citizen participation

The AI Cheat Sheet: A Philosophy Professor's Lament

2025-03-09

A philosophy professor at a California university recounts the pervasive use of AI tools like ChatGPT by students to cheat on assignments. The ease with which students can generate essays undermines the professor's teaching and shakes his faith in the educational process. He reflects on the true meaning of education, arguing it's not just job training but the cultivation of critical thinking and independent thought. While the professor attempts various countermeasures, the rapid advancement of AI renders these efforts largely ineffective. The piece concludes with a lament for the students' future and a broader reflection on the state of education.

(thewalrus.ca)

Misc

The AI Cheating Crisis: A Professor's Lament

2025-03-06

The proliferation of AI tools like ChatGPT has led to a surge in student cheating. A California philosophy professor recounts the devastating impact on his teaching, as students use AI to generate essays, circumventing the learning process. While he explores various countermeasures, all prove limited. He argues that education transcends job training; it cultivates critical thinking and life understanding. AI cheating deprives students of this invaluable experience, ultimately harming both the students themselves and the fairness of the education system.

(thewalrus.ca)

Misc AI cheating educational ethics

Escaping Anxiety: When AI Fails to Answer Life's Questions

2025-02-27

Unable to sleep, the author asked ChatGPT, "Am I real?" This wasn't philosophical curiosity but panic over life changes. ChatGPT offered philosophical perspectives, but the author felt this was a superficial fix. The article explores our reliance on technology – social media and AI – to quickly escape discomfort. This, the author argues, hinders processing and understanding our pains, threatening mental health, relationships, and creativity. Art, specifically literature, offers a path to understanding and accepting our struggles, fostering empathy and providing genuine connection, unlike the temporary numbness of technology.

(thewalrus.ca)

Misc art therapy