Witness the 2024 Eclipse! Feds Team Up With Gamers & Doping Goes Digital?

✍ QUOTE OF THE DAY

"Strength grows in the moments when you think you can't go on but you keep going anyway."

• Don't Miss the 2024 Eclipse! Here's Your Complete Guide

• Feds Partner with Gaming Companies to Combat Extremism

• Enhanced Games: A Risky Leap into Doped-Up Competition

• Meme of the day!

Don't Miss the 2024 Eclipse! Here's Your Complete Guide

Witness a Spectacle: On April 8th, North America will be treated to a total solar eclipse, where the Moon blocks the Sun, casting a shadow on Earth. This guide details everything you need to know, from timings and locations to safety tips and livestreams.

When and Where to See It: The eclipse will begin in the Pacific Ocean, sweep across parts of Mexico, the US, and Canada. While visible across America, only a narrow path will experience totality, where the Moon completely covers the Sun. This "path of totality" includes parts of Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, and several other US states before reaching Canada.

Check Your Viewing Time: Use NASA's interactive map [link to NASA Eclipse Explorer map] to find out the exact times for different stages of the eclipse in your area.

What to Expect: Those in the path of totality will witness a fascinating sequence of events. First comes "first contact," where the Moon begins to overlap the Sun. The Sun will transform into a crescent shape as they move closer. Look for "Baily's Beads," bright points of light appearing just before totality. You might also see "shadow bands," rippling light patterns on the ground.

The Main Event: Totality: This is when the Moon completely covers the Sun, plunging the day into a brief twilight. The Sun's atmosphere, the chromosphere (pink ring), and corona (white streams of light) will be visible. Stars and planets might appear too. Enjoy the silence and wildlife reactions to this sudden change!

Partial Eclipse for Others: Those outside the path will see a partial eclipse, where the Moon covers part of the Sun.

Livestream the Eclipse: Watch the entire event online! NASA will be providing a live stream with expert commentary on YouTube, NASA TV, NASA+, Twitch, featuring telescope footage. They'll also offer a Spanish broadcast and a commentary-free feed with footage from various partners.

Safety First! Looking directly at the Sun can damage your eyes. Use specially made solar eclipse glasses or viewers to observe the eclipse safely. Regular sunglasses won't work! Alternatively, project the Sun's image using a pinhole projector for safe viewing (find instructions online). Remember, protective gear is only needed during non-totality phases.

Bonus! The National Esports Association partnered with NASA to allow students to create eclipse-themed versions of Fortnite and Minecraft. Footage of these games will be streamed alongside the live NASA feed on April 8th.

A Rare Phenomenon: Eclipses occur when the Moon aligns perfectly between Earth and the Sun, casting a shadow on our planet. This alignment is rare because the Moon's orbit is tilted. The next total eclipse in North America won't be until 2044.

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Feds Partner with Gaming Companies to Combat Extremism

The FBI and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are teaming up with gaming companies like Roblox and Discord to tackle online extremism. This collaboration mirrors existing efforts with social media platforms.

How It Works: A new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report reveals details of this partnership. Gaming companies can share information with DHS about extremist activity or even platform violations. The FBI also conducts briefings on potential threats and receives tips from companies for further investigation.

Concerns and Next Steps: The GAO highlights the lack of a clear strategy for this collaboration. They recommend both DHS and FBI develop one to ensure effectiveness. Additionally, some worry about potential infringement on free speech rights, citing ongoing legal cases.

The Backstory: This initiative follows increased government focus on domestic extremism after the January 6th Capitol attack. It also comes on the heels of pressure from Congress on gaming companies to address the issue.

Looking Forward: The federal government aims to balance combating extremism with protecting free speech. While the exact nature of this collaboration is still evolving, it represents a significant step by the government and gaming industry to tackle online extremism.

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Enhanced Games: A Risky Leap into Doped-Up Competition

Venture capitalists are backing a radical new sporting event - the "Enhanced Games" - where drug testing is thrown out the window and athletes can use any performance-enhancing substances they choose.

Selling Points: Proponents argue the current anti-doping system is ineffective and athletes should have autonomy over their bodies. They envision the Games as a spectacle pushing human limits and rewarding excellence.

Ethical Concerns: Experts warn of the significant health risks associated with unregulated drug use, especially in unknown combinations.

Beyond Physical Harm: Critics argue the Enhanced Games undermine the core principles of sport. Victory based on who can take the most drugs diminishes the importance of hard work and dedication.

The proposal raises concerns about fairness. Unequal access to resources could exacerbate existing disparities in elite sport. Young athletes might be pressured to participate, jeopardizing their well-being.

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