Category: Virtual Content

  • Personality Peek: What You See First Says About You

    Personality Peek: What You See First Says About You

    Optical illusions are not just fun to look at and they can also tell us about ourselves. Social media has been buzzing with an optical illusion that claims to reveal our personality traits based on what we see first. Mia Yulin is a TikTok creator who suggests that the image can reveal interesting things about who we are.

    Optical illusions

    Take a moment to look at the picture and take note of what catches your eye first. Understanding What You See First:

    1. If You Spot the Tree First:
    – You might come across as reserved or distant when meeting new people.
    – Once you get comfortable, you become friendly and outgoing.
    – In matters of love, you prefer not to chase after someone but will invest fully if you’re genuinely interested.
    – Your commitment to those you care about is strong, and you’re willing to fight for them, regardless of others’ opinions.
    – Your private nature makes you mysterious and attractive to others.

    2. If You Notice the Lion’s Face First:
    – You likely have a sociable and outgoing personality.
    – Conflict avoidance is a trait you possess, preferring to maintain harmony in your relationships.
    – Despite challenges, you remain resilient and don’t let setbacks discourage you.
    – Your circle of friends is vast because of your dependable nature and ability to connect with others.
    – You’re ambitious and spend time envisioning your future, knowing that hard work and intelligence will lead to success.

    Optical illusions is like offers a unique way to gain insights into our personalities. Whether we see the snow-covered tree or the majestic lion’s face first, it can provide a glimpse into our individual traits and behaviors. So, the next time you come across an optical illusion, take a moment to reflect on what it might reveal about yourself.

  • Vision: How Optical Illusions Shed Light on Brain Activity

    Vision: How Optical Illusions Shed Light on Brain Activity

    A new study reveals that mice respond to a common optical illusion called neon color spreading. This research combines two techniques, electrophysiology and optogenetics to study how the brain perceives brightness. Optical illusions are tricks that make us see things differently.

     Optical Illusions

    For example, when you look at a screen, you might think it’s white but it’s actually made of red, green, and blue dots close together. Another example is when a spinning wheel seems to change direction.

    Optical Illusions in Research
    Associate Professor Masataka Watanabe from the University of Tokyo studies consciousness. He uses optical illusions to understand how the brain works. His latest research shows that mice react to the neon color spreading illusion just like humans.

    Why It Matters
    Understanding how mice respond to optical illusions helps scientists study the brain in ways they can’t with humans. Techniques like electrophysiology and optogenetics help them see which parts of the brain are active during these illusions.

    The Brain’s Response
    The brain has layers of neurons like V1 and V2 which process visual information. Watanabe’s experiment shows that neurons in V1 respond to both real and illusory patterns. Maybe only the illusory patterns activate neurons in V2 that proving their role in brightness perception.

    The Significance of Mice Models
    Using mice in neuroscience research is valuable. Watanabe’s study demonstrates how mice can help scientists understand the brain’s response to visual illusions.

    Future Research Goals
    Watanabe hopes to continue using mice in his research to unravel the mysteries of consciousness and brain function.

  • Opportunities and Ethical Dilemmas: Working as Architect in Saudi Arabia

    Opportunities and Ethical Dilemmas: Working as Architect in Saudi Arabia

    Many UK architects are finding work opportunities in Saudi Arabia where there are plenty of job openings. But what factors should architects think about when deciding whether to work there? Social media reactions to news about Foster + Partners’ involvement in a proposed 2km-tall tower in Riyadh and it was mostly negative.

     Saudi Arabia

    Some criticized the project as unsustainable and questioned its evacuation plans for such a tall tower. Others raised ethical concerns. But many people simply wondered: Why? Why build a carbon-heavy skyscraper in a city with plenty of available land? And why would Foster + Partners take on such a project?

    Foster + Partners’ towering desert project has sparked debates but it is not the only firm working on large projects in Saudi Arabia. Many are attracted by the country’s abundant petrodollars, including retired Premier League footballers and an increasing number of UK architects participating in Saudi Arabia’s monumental 2030 vision development initiative. They often keep their involvement low-key.

    British architects are involved in various projects in Saudi Arabia; from the controversial NEOM “giga-project” and the linear city The Line to resort developments, downtown projects, beach resorts, and desert cities. In the wider Gulf region, there has been a significant increase in revenue for firms like Foster + Partners and Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) from work in the Middle East.

    Doing business in Saudi Arabia is known for its treatment of women, free speech advocates, the LGBTQ+ community, and other minorities, raises ethical concerns. Many UK architects choose not to work in Saudi Arabia due to these concerns.

    So, why are so many UK architects accepting work in Saudi Arabia now? What should they consider morally and financially before making this decision? Some large UK firms have been working in the Middle East remotely for years but are now establishing a presence in Saudi Arabia.

     Saudi Arabia

    Various firms, including Weston Williamson + Partners’ owner, Egis, and Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA), are involved in projects like NEOM’s Spine and Trojena ski resort. Although many firms are entering the Saudi market, some smaller UK practices are also being approached for projects.

  • Saudi Arabia Hosts World Economic Forum: Global Gathering for Solutions

    Saudi Arabia Hosts World Economic Forum: Global Gathering for Solutions

    The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is hosting a special meeting of the World Economic Forum in its capital city Riyadh from April 28th to 29th of 2024. This meeting is a result of a cooperation agreement between Saudi Arabia and the World Economic Forum.

    Saudi Arabia

    Over 1000 participants including experts, leaders, and thinkers from various sectors like government, academia, and business gathered in Riyadh. They discussed global challenges and find sustainable solutions through constructive dialogues.

    Riyadh has become a global hub for progress and leadership in economic matters. The meeting will focus on international cooperation, growth, and energy, aiming to address current global challenges and stimulate joint efforts for solutions.

    Saudi Arabia’s central location and strategic connectivity make Riyadh an ideal host for such a meeting. It provides a platform for leaders to discuss challenges and propose solutions that benefit everyone.

    For the first time in over fifty years, the World Economic Forum is moving from Davos to Riyadh. The meeting is under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

    More than a thousand world leaders will attend the meeting to address pressing global challenges. It coincides with the anniversary of the launch of Saudi Arabia’s vision and it was highlighting the Kingdom’s development achievements and economic transformation.

    The meeting’s agenda focuses on three pillars: international cooperation, growth, and energy for development. It aims to achieve prosperity, support growth, and build stronger institutions through cooperation and innovation.

    On the sidelines of the meeting, there would be an open forum to facilitate dialogue on various topics such as environmental challenges, entrepreneurship, digital currencies, and mental health. This forum liked to engage students, entrepreneurs, and the general public in crucial discussions.

  • Where Do Billionaires Live: Top 10 Cities of Wealth

    Where Do Billionaires Live: Top 10 Cities of Wealth

    People are very curious about where billionaires live. Surprisingly, they don’t always live in big, famous cities. Many of them live in places that are like small towns. Forbes magazine recently published a list of the top ten cities where the most billionaires live. Let’s take a look at these cities.

    Los Angeles

    San Francisco

    In San Francisco, USA, billionaires have a total wealth of $185 billion. One famous billionaire who lives here is Sam Altman, a well-known tech investor. According to Forbes, there are 50 billionaires living in this city.

    Singapore

    Singapore is ninth on the list, with 52 billionaires calling it home. Singapore is known as a luxurious city, and many wealthy people from different parts of the world visit here often. The total wealth of billionaires in Singapore is $156 billion.

    Los Angeles

    In Los Angeles, USA, billionaires have a combined wealth of $222 billion. This city is home to 53 billionaires, including many famous sports stars and celebrities. One well-known resident is American television personality Kim Kardashian.

    New York City

    New York City, USA, tops the list with 110 billionaires. This is nine more than last year. The total wealth of New York City billionaires is a whopping $693 billion. Michael Bloomberg, one of the richest people globally, lives here, with assets worth $106 billion.

    Moscow and Hong Kong

    Moscow and Hong Kong tie for second place on the list, each with 74 billionaires. Moscow ranked 12th on the list two years ago, but the number of billionaires has been increasing since the start of the war in Ukraine. Moscow’s richest person is Vagit Alekperov, with assets worth $28.6 billion. Hong Kong’s billionaires have a total wealth of $326 billion, with the richest being Li Ka-shing, worth $37.3 billion. There are four more billionaires in Hong Kong compared to last year.

    Mumbai

    India’s Mumbai is fourth on the list, with 69 billionaires and a total wealth of $379 billion. Mukesh Ambani, with assets of $116 billion, is the richest person in the city. This year, 11 new billionaires joined the club, including Shapoor Mistry, with assets of $9.9 billion.

    Beijing

    Beijing, China’s capital, is fifth on the list, with 63 billionaires and a total wealth of $211 billion. Zhang Yiming is the richest person in Beijing, with assets worth $43.4 billion. The city lost 32 billionaires compared to last year due to the ongoing economic crisis.

    London

    London is sixth on the list, with 62 billionaires and a total wealth of $326 billion. The richest person in London is Len Blavatnik, with assets of $32.1 billion. There were no new additions to the list of billionaires this year.

    Shanghai

    Shanghai, another city in China, is seventh on the list, with 54 billionaires and a total wealth of $167 billion. Colin Huang is the richest person in Shanghai, with assets worth $38.9 billion. Shanghai lost the most billionaires compared to last year, with 11 fewer billionaires. Additionally, half of the billionaires in Shanghai are less wealthy than before.

  • A Heartwarming Tale of Kindness: Japan’s Special Railway Station

    A Heartwarming Tale of Kindness: Japan’s Special Railway Station

    In a world where humanity sometimes feels scarce among billions of people, Japan stands out with a remarkable example of compassion. Recently, authorities in Japan took a surprising step to ensure the education of a young girl by keeping open an unmanned railway station exclusively for her.

    Railway Station

    The Kami Shirataki Station, located in the northern part of Japan’s Hokkaido island, was facing closure due to low usage by residents who preferred other modes of transportation. However, officials noticed that a young girl relied on the train to commute to school every day.

    Realizing the importance of the train service for her education, the railway department made a compassionate decision. They decided to keep the entire station operational solely for the girl’s benefit. Additionally, they adjusted the train schedule to ensure she could reach school punctually.

    Throughout the day, trains run to and from the station, ensuring the girl’s safe transportation to school and back home. This dedicated train service will continue until she completes her education, ensuring her uninterrupted access to schooling.

    The decision to maintain a railway station solely for the convenience of one individual is a rare and heartwarming display of kindness and empathy. It exemplifies the value of prioritizing the well-being and education of every member of society, regardless of their circumstances.

  • An Egg Auctioned for Record Price in Jammu and Kashmir!

    An Egg Auctioned for Record Price in Jammu and Kashmir!

    In a remarkable event, an egg donated by a poor man fetched an astonishing price of over two lakh rupees in an auction held for the construction of a mosque. This extraordinary incident took place in the Indian-administered region of Jammu and Kashmir.

    egg

    Residents of Sopore, often referred to as the “city of apples,” had initiated fundraising efforts to build a mosque in the Malpora village. Among the donations received for this noble cause was an egg contributed by a humble individual.

    This humble donation quickly became the talk of the village. The egg, like other contributions, was accepted by the mosque committee and later put up for auction. During the auction, the egg passed through multiple hands, with each buyer re-auctioning it to raise more funds.

    Surprisingly, the egg fetched a whopping amount of 70 thousand rupees when it was finally bought by a bidder. The total proceeds from the repeated auctions of the egg exceeded an impressive sum of 2 lakh 20 thousand rupees.

    The mosque holds great significance as a gathering place for Muslims, where worshippers come together for group prayers five times a day. This heartwarming incident not only showcases the spirit of generosity within the community but also highlights the collective effort towards fulfilling a noble cause.

  • From Farming to Fortune: The Rise of Huaxi Village

    From Farming to Fortune: The Rise of Huaxi Village

    There’s a village called Huaxi in Jiangsu Province in China where everyone is a millionaire. It’s known as the ‘Super Village’. About 2 thousand people live there, and they all have luxury houses, cars, and modern amenities. No one is allowed to do dishonest things like gambling or drugs.

    Jiangsu

    Back in 1961, Huaxi was just like any other ordinary village, with people earning their living through farming. But it was transformed into a modern village by Wu Renbao who is a former Communist Party secretary. Through his efforts, the villagers went from farmers to millionaires.

    Huaxi is nothing like what we imagine a village to be. Instead of mud or tin houses, it has a 72-storey skyscraper. There are also luxury shopping malls, theme parks, and large industrial establishments owned by the villagers. They receive a fifth of the company’s annual profits as shareholders. If someone leaves the village, they lose all their property.

    With a population of about 2 thousand people, Huaxi is not your typical rural settlement. Instead, it boasts luxury homes, sleek cars, and all the conveniences of modern life. But what’s truly surprising is how this transformation occurred. Back in 1961, Huaxi was just like any other village, where people made their living through agriculture. The village underwent a remarkable makeover under the leadership of Wu Renbao who is a former Communist Party secretary. Thanks to his efforts, the once farming-dependent villagers became millionaires.

    Huaxi Village does not follows the traditional image of rural life. Instead of modest dwellings, it boasts a towering 72-storey skyscraper, luxury shopping complexes, and cutting-edge theme parks. The village is home to several large industrial enterprises, with the villagers themselves being shareholders. They receive a portion of the company’s annual profits.

  • Bill Gates’ Parenting Strategy: Cellphone Restrictions and Family Tech Policies

    Bill Gates’ Parenting Strategy: Cellphone Restrictions and Family Tech Policies

    Bill Gates has strict rules about when his kids can have cellphones. He says they can’t have their own phone until they’re 14 years old. Gates also says there’s a time when they can’t use screens anymore, which helps them sleep better. They can’t have phones at the table, but they can use them for school work.

    Bill Gates

    Gates’ children are now 20, 17, and 14 years old. Even though they’re old enough to have phones, they’re not allowed to have any Apple products at home. Gates doesn’t like Apple because he didn’t get along with Steve Jobs, who started Apple.

    Some people think Gates is right to wait before giving kids smartphones. The average age for kids to get their first phone is now 10.3 years old. Experts say parents are getting tired of giving their phones to their kids, so they might start giving phones to kids even younger.

    Another expert says kids should get phones when they start high school. They should only get a phone if they show they can be responsible. Every kid is different, so there’s no one age that’s right for everyone. PBS Parents made a list of questions for parents to think about before giving their kid a phone:

    – How independent are your kids?
    – Do they need a phone for safety or to talk to friends?
    – How responsible are they?
    – Can they understand and follow rules about using the phone?
    – Can they use the phone without causing problems, like texting during class or bothering others?
    – Do they really need a phone with lots of features, like music and games?
    – Do they need a phone that tells their friends where they are?
    – Are you ready to pay for a new phone and data plan, even if they break it?

    Bill Gates’ decision to delay his children’s access to cellphones until the age of 14 reflects a growing concern among parents about the potential risks associated with early smartphone usage. With experts emphasizing the importance of considering a child’s maturity and responsibility level before granting phone privileges.

  • Discover Your Personality: What Your Foot Shape Reveals

    Discover Your Personality: What Your Foot Shape Reveals

    Your feet can tell a lot about your personality. If your big toe is the longest or your second toe stands out, it might reveal things like independence, creativity, confidence, or practicality. Let’s dive into the Foot Shape Personality Test to uncover some fun insights.  Your Foot Shape Says ‍a lot about You. There are different foot shapes, and each says something unique about you.

    Foot Shape

    Roman Foot Shape

    If your big toe, second toe, and third toe are the same height, with the fourth and fifth toes smaller, you have a Roman foot shape. This means you’re outgoing, social, and confident. You’re good at making friends and leading others. You’re also good at solving problems, but sometimes you can be stubborn.

    Square Foot Shape

    If your big toe is the same length as the following toes, you have a Square foot shape. This means you’re practical, reliable, and hardworking. You’re good at managing your time and helping others. You believe in fairness and keeping promises.

    Greek Foot Shape

    If your second toe is longer than your big toe, you have a Greek foot shape. This means you’re creative, adventurous, and independent. You like trying new things and standing up for yourself. You’re good at understanding other people’s feelings.

    Egyptian Foot Shape

    If your big toe is the longest and the other toes descend in a slant, you have an Egyptian foot shape. This means you’re independent, determined, and creative. You’re good at making decisions and keeping secrets. You have strong beliefs and like to inspire others.

    Your foot shape can reveal a lot about your personality. Whether you’re outgoing like a Roman foot, practical like a Square foot, creative like a Greek foot, or determined like an Egyptian foot, each shape brings its own strengths and weaknesses. It’s fun to explore and share with your friends and family!