Global warming is affecting sea level by causing glaciers and ice sheets to melt, thus adding water to the oceans. Higher temperatures trigger the expansion of sea water, thereby increasing its volume. Since 1880, sea levels have risen by approximately 23 centimeters.
Residents of Pangulo, located on the outskirts of Manila, Philippines, now travel by boat
Although the extent to which sea levels will increase is dependent on how global warming progresses, scientists predict that if there is no halt to climate change, the ice sheets in Antarctica and Greenland might eventually move from a gradual melting process to collapsing altogether. The precise timing of this so-called tipping point is uncertain.
A study done by Denise Lu and Chris Flavel showed that nearly 150 million people currently reside on land that will be under high tide by mid-century. This number is expected to rise as people move to large cities located on the coast seeking a better life.
How cities can adapt
A.R. Siders, an assistant professor of climate change adaptation at the University of Delaware, has suggested several ways in which cities can cope with rising sea levels. One such strategy is for officials to avoid constructing buildings in flood-prone areas. They could also try to prevent water by building dams and breakwaters. They can adapt the city to higher sea levels by constructing more houses on high ground and fewer on low ground.
Breakwater or bolverk – a hydraulic structure on the water, designed to protect the coastline or port water area from tsunamis and ice currents
Another alternative is to withdraw or relocate houses and infrastructure to safer areas. This is exactly what the Indonesian government is doing by constructing a new capital on hillocks from scratch. According to the United Nations, large-scale retreat, the most extreme and costly form of adaptation, will soon become necessary. Rotterdam, in the Netherlands, employs permanent sand dunes and dams, as well as water storage tanks. Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam is looking to enhance drainage systems and shift freshwater supplies to protect against seawater intrusion. Of course, these projects require a considerable amount of money. Developing countries demand that wealthy countries, which are mainly responsible for climate change, honor their climate assistance obligations.
At the United Nations Climate Summit held in Glasgow in 2021, countries agreed to double the funds available for adaptation to developing countries by 2025, compared to levels seen in 2019. During this decade, developing countries, on average, need almost $200 billion yearly. The cost of adapting to climate change in developing countries is expected to reach $160-340 billion by 2030 and increase to $315-565 billion by 2050.
On April 29, twenty passengers boarded a Gulfstream G4 plane flying from Teterboro airport in New Jersey to Farnborough airport, southwest of London – nine dogs, one sphynx cat, and ten humans. This was the first K9 Jets flight of a private jet charter company based in Birmingham, England, founded in response to the growing desire of pet owners to travel with their pets in a comfortable and safe atmosphere.
People wishing to transport their pets on commercial flights must comply with numerous rules that vary depending on the airline. Service animals, which are not considered pets, are allowed in the cabin, but other restrictions apply, such as size limitations – larger pets must be transported as cargo. However, many owners of large dogs fear that during transport in the cargo hold, their pets may be subjected to temperature fluctuations, poor ventilation, and improper handling. Some airlines even refuse to transport large dog breeds.
Nick and Michelle Koutsoftas board a K9 Jets flight with Albert, their 2-year-old Rhodesian Ridgeback. Source: The New York Times
If the animal is within a certain size range, it must be transported in a carrier – in 2020, the Federal Aviation Administration approved new rules that prohibit pets from being held on laps or leashes during flights, and they must be in an appropriately sized crate. These carriers must fit under the seat in front of the passenger, which may cause some discomfort for those seated in front of or next to them.
According to the US Department of Transportation, in the last decade over 200 domestic pets have died during flights, with the majority being dogs. The department recommended that owners of short-nosed dogs such as pugs and bulldogs consider the risks of transporting them as cargo, citing much higher mortality rates than for other breeds. According to the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, short-nosed dogs have more difficulty breathing than other breeds. These dogs experience breathing problems due to their short snouts and their respiratory conditions worsen during flights at high altitudes in cargo holds, where the temperature can be very high or too low.
Private carriers step in
Bowie the Sphynx was the only cat on the K9 Jets flight. Source: The New York Times
Meanwhile, private air carriers have stepped in to offer comfortable and safe options for transporting pets. Some, such as NetJets and VistaJet, have special programs for domestic animals. On VistaJet flights, pets are fed select meat cuts, offered various toys, and provided with a sleeping area on a soft carpet. Once a person buys a seat, there is no need to pay additional costs for transporting a pet or to purchase an additional seat. Several companies even help customers navigate the restrictions imposed on keeping animals in a particular country and gather all the necessary documents for entry, which is another advantage for their owners.
Initially, K9 Jets offers flights between New York and Paris, Lisbon, and London. Tickets for eight out of seventeen listed flights from May to the end of September have already been sold out. In the fall, the company may expand the service to additional cities, including Dubai. One-way tickets between New York and Europe cost about $9,000 per seat. Domestic animals cannot fly without human accompaniment.
«FLUIDS» is an experiment by Evgenia Maltseva. Her paintings are combined with holographic digital animation. The artworks are accompanied by music created by Anastasia Martyanova in the genre of expressionistic realism.
Work by Evgenia Maltseva, presented at the «FLUIDS» exhibition (source: ArtMoskovia)
The goal of the exhibition project is to penetrate into the inner structure of a person’s life and influence their future destiny. The artist believes that this can be done through image, sound and word. «Through art I want to restore the broken details of life», says Evgenia Maltseva.
Artist Yevgenia Maltseva (source: AiF Udmurtia)
The exhibition was created using VR-technology. Virtual reality is a world created by technical means. VR refers to immersive technologies that blur the line between the real and the fictional. The trend began to develop actively in 2014, after Facebook acquired the startup Oculus VR.
The new media space became an attractive platform for artists. They found in it an alternative way to express themselves. Gretchen Andrew is a London-based artist who worked at Googlé for several years. Deciding to go into art, she combined art and technology in her work. The artist creates pictures using Google Glass. Gretchen shoots a show about the process of creating the artwork. She presents her art in a VR gallery created for Oculus Rift glasses.
Australian designer and illustrator Stuart Campbell (creative pseudonym – Sutu) has been creating three-dimensional paintings for the last 10 years. VR-technology allows the viewer to become part of the picture.
Work by Australian artist Stuart Campbell (source: VR-Journal)
Another outstanding VR artist is Eric Parker . He brings his surrealistic worlds to life. The plots of his paintings turn into a dystopian film about the possible future of the earth.
Eric Parker «Switchstance Bay» (source: ARTANDHOUSES)
Exhibitions of VR artists began to take place more and more often in museums and galleries. In the mid-noughties, the M’ARS center even appeared in Moscow. The founders want to regain the audience’s interest in art by using new technologies. Therefore, M’ARS shows works by famous artists such as Hieronymus Bosch, Edvard Munch, Salvador Dali, and Claude Monet using VR.
Photo from the exhibition YOLO: You only live once (source: M’ARS Center)
With the onset of the pandemic, the rapid transition of art into the digital space began. It is now possible to visit museums without leaving home. For example, the Pushkin Museum has a virtual platform, and the Tretyakov Gallery has launched online exhibitions. To learn more about the world art of the 21st century, we advise to watch a series of videos on the Artifex channel.
The look of artworks is increasingly a hybrid of science and technology. The breaking down of physical barriers and the opportunity to become part of the process brings art to a new level of communication with the audience. «The field of art has boldly stepped into the digital», states international art dealer and independent art digital expert Catherine Schneide
Equestrian sport is historically one of the most popular activities among kings and other noble persons. Today some of them choose it as a hobby, for others horse riding becomes a profession, for others – even a lifestyle.
Many people don’t take horse riding seriously, considering it as an entertainment and a pleasant way to spend time. They may have a ride once or twice. In fact, this is one of the most dangerous sports. Among those who have been involved in equestrian sports for a long time, few have never fallen from a horse or been injured.
Equestrian sport is the choice of the brave and decisive people
Horse racing at hippodromes is the most popular equestrian competition among spectators. It is considered not as a sport, but as a test. In real equestrian sports, the most common types are jumping and dressage. They are both Olympic sports.
Horse racing is an agility test for horses. The results helps to make a conclusion about the suitability for further breeding
Show jumping is the most spectacular and dynamic one. At first glance, the most important thing here is the speed of the route. However, according to the rules, victory is won not by the fastest, but by the most accurate one: for every mistake, whether it is a tumble (obstacle destruction) or disobedience of a horse (refusal to jump over a barrier), the rider receives penalty points and can often be disqualified. The victory will go to the one who completed the route “cleanly.”
Ludger Beerbaum is an internationally successful German equestrian who competes in show jumping and has been ranked the No. 1 Show Jumper in the world by the FEI on multiple occasions. He is also a four-time Olympic Gold medalist
There is even a “director” in a show jumping. His role is played by a course-designer. This professional is adept at creating precisely calibrated routes for a specific category of riders. He is responsible for the design, height and location of obstacles, as well as (up to a centimeter!) for the distance between them. After the route is completely ready, even before the start of the competition, each athlete has the right to familiarize himself with it, walking between all the barriers on foot and having pre-estimated the trajectory of movement from one to the other.
In dressage, speed does not matter. The main thing is attention to detail. This is a kind of elegant and graceful “dance” which consists of many complex elements. To hone them a lot of rider’s patience is required, likewise painstaking work and dozens of rehearsals. The pace, rhythm, accuracy and quality of the figures are all judged. The athlete is free to combine the elements contained in the ride and arrange them in the desired sequence, creating his own unique show. He also chooses musical accompaniment for it. Preparation for a sporting event turns into a fascinating creative process. Each participant gets a chance to show creative abilities and discover all facets of talent in his partner – a horse.
Although many people celebrate the Halloween at the eve of November 1, not many of them are aware of the roots of the holiday. This article is just about the history of Halloween.
The holiday was invented by Druids that was one of the peoples pertaining to the ancient Celtic tribes. The majority of Druids inhabited the territory of modern UK, France and Spain. They divides a year to 2 seasons, so they did not have Spring and Autumn. Summer ended at October 31 and the next day new season, Winter, and New Wear begun. Also, October 31 was the last day of harvest. Then Celtic tribes celebrated Samhain which means the end of Summer in translation from Celtic. During the holiday people lit sacred fires, thanked gods for not depriving the tribe from crops, and met the dark season. Samhain was the ancestor of contemporary Halloween.
The area setteled by the Celtic tribes B.C.
Ancient Celtic tribes adhere paganism. They believe that in the Samhain’s night souls of the dead roam in the world of the living. Celtic tried to propitiate them with sweet gifts so that they keep the next harvest safe. These beliefs have transformed into trick-or-treat tradition. Children knock to the doors of adults to entreat them to give sweets and biscuits. Nobody refuses because in the past superstition that anyone who did not open the door for the spirit, would be punished existed.
Halloween is the day when people eat the largest amount of sweets anually
One more custom is carving lanterns from pumpkins. Not having wanted to attract ghosts to houses at Samhain’s night, ancient Celts extinguished their hearths and kindled forest fires. To reach the forest safely, they dressed in animal skins. In the forest the Druids performed sacrifices: they burned cows at the stake. After that the fire became sacred. Members of the tribe placed coals from their fires in lanterns cut from turnips. Then the Druids took the lanterns and left them at the door so that the souls of their ancestors could see their homes and escape wandering around the world. Dark spirits, according to the Celts, were afraid of this fire.
The tradition is based on Celtic myths. The legend says that the Irishman Jack lived to outwit both God and the devil, therefore he did not go to heaven or hell after death but remained in purgatory forever. In order not to wander in the pitch darkness, he made a lantern. The farmer put a hell coal given by the devil into the lantern.
Nowadays, the pumpkin has become the main symbol of Halloween
At the beginning of the new era the Celts were conquered by the Romans then both were forced to become Christians. Because of this, pagan holidays were gradually mixed with Church ones or blurred but they were not consigned to oblivion, for example, Samhain underwent a metamorphosis.
After Pope Gregory III officially moved the celebration of All Hallows Eve from spring to November 1, the ancient pagan holiday and the new Catholic one coincided. From that moment Samhain was called Halloween. Initially, All Hallows Eve was shortened to Hallowe’en and then to Halloween.
Halloween parade in New-York, the capital of the holiday
In the 19th century many Irish emigrated to North America and brought the traditions of the holiday. Now Halloween is celebrated most widely in Canada, the United States, New Zealand and other English-speaking countries. From the beginning of A.D. to the XXI century many rituals have changed. Jack’s lantern is not made from turnips anymore, nowadays people make it from pumpkins. Moreover, they carve not ancestors’ faces but terrifying ones. Revelers do not dress up in animal skins they wear costumes of evil spirits. Nowadays, the celebration of Halloween is becoming more popular even in those countries that did not adopt the Celtic culture from their ancestors.
Apple has presented its own virtual credit card – Apple Card. When paying by credit card, the company instantly returns 2% of the total purchase amount. It is easy to order a card: just spent a few minutes in the Apple Wallet app. To use the service you need only the iPhone.
At the presentation, the card was given not so much time as the rest of Apple’s new products, but presented in sufficient details. The company showed its physical carrier – a titanium card without a number, a term and a CVV code. All necessary data will be stored on the phone without which it is impossible to use the card.
You can see the history of recent transactions easily in an application that enables you to keep statistics. At the presentation, the user-friendly interface caused delight and loud applause from the audience. The fact that the Apple card has interested users is also confirmed by media statistics. The chief editor of The Verge, Nilay Patel, said that the article about the Apple Card was the most viewed material about apple products. The Russian Internet publication TJ declared exactly the same.
Apple Card application design
In Russia, such a rush around Apple’s card was viewed with irony. The fact is that Russian users have been familiar with cashback and high-quality online applications. These services have been provided by «Sberbank» , «Tinkoff Bank» and «Rocketbank» for many years.
Apple Card это инновационный продукт для США, но русскому человеку на это смотреть чуть неловко. Они форсят чат и красивые графики трат за месяц. У нас это есть давно и красиво. pic.twitter.com/lNNfw7PGdF
And this is really the case when the States are in no hurry to keep up with progress. In Russia the flowering of IT technologies in the banking sector began in the 2010s. One of the first innovative banks was «Tinkoff» in 2011, and later – «Rocketbank» in 2013. Therefore, the presence of mobile banking and the return of interest on purchases of a Russian user is no longer surprising.
Russia is one of the leaders among countries that use Apple Pay
According to experts, the Apple Card will not immediately become the market leader. However, it is expected that the card will push for changes stagnant US banking sphere.
Since the announcement of Nintendo Switch in the network there is information that the console will receive support for virtual reality . The idea seemed crazy, but now it is known that VR will appear on the Nintendo console. Well, almost reliably…
Do it yourself!
New information about «VR from Nintendo» appeared like a bolt from the blue. Nintendo of America in his Twitter-account announced a new set of a series of cardboard designers Lego — Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 04: VR Kit. The set will give you the opportunity to assemble from cardboard VR-accessories for Nintendo Switch, as well as provide players with related games.
Two new Labo VR kits: Starter (left) and Full (right)
The method of implementing Nintendo picked up from Google Cardboard, which is also a cardboard mask with lenses. In this case, the Nintendo Switch is used as the screen, the image of which is divided for each eye, creating the illusion of immersion and volume.
This time there are several options for buying cardboard peripherals: «Starter kit» with glasses and «Blaster» for $39 (~2800 rubles.) with the possibility of separate purchase of other accessories and «Full set», which also contains «Camera», «Elephant», «Bird» and «air pedal» for $79 (~5600 rubles).
If you do not want to buy everything at once, it is possible to purchase only interesting Toy-Cons
Not my VR
However, the announcement of the cartons from Nintendo was ambiguous. Many age-old fans of “big N” were not very happy that beyond the designers of Labo, focused on children, VR will not apply.
One of the problems associated with Labo products is the lack of tangible depth of built-in games, and Toy-Con themselves are no more than interactive toys.
Labo to me is one of Nintendo's few big fails over the last 3 or 4 years. I've literally not touched it once since we built a few things one Saturday morning and the kids never spoke of it again.
But there is still hope for a bright future. For example, some of the previous designers received support in the «serious» games of the company. In particular, it is worth noting the «Motorcycle», which can be used to control the Mario Kart 8: Deluxe.
Promotional art collaborations Nintendo Land and Mario Kart 8: Deluxe
For the first time rumors about Nintendo’s entry into the virtual reality market appeared with the discovery of the company’s patent, vaguely reminiscent of VR-glasses.
This interesting patent has been discovered for the first time in 2016. He gave rise to further speculation about the VR Switch on the Nintendo.
It is also worth noting that this is not the first attempt of «big N» to enter the VR market. Back in 1995, the company released the Virtual Boy console, which is a helmet similar to modern «head displays». The experiment was not successful: after prolonged use, the helmet could cause headaches and pain in the eyes, and the project itself is still considered one of the biggest failures of the company.
Along with spring, thaw and sunny weather in March, begins the gaming season. Usually, spring is not as fruitful for big games as autumn or Christmas holidays, but here is the list of the most exciting releases of March.
Dead or Alive 6 — 1st of March
Dead or Alive 6, the newest part of a popular Japanese fighting game, opens up the first month of spring.
Overall, there are 26 characters in Dead or Alive 6. there will be more content available in DLC.
This time, the creators decided to shift slightly the vector of the game by dressing up immodest heroins (however, the chest physiology stayed the same) and making the game more accessible and appealing for new players. Besides, there will be a full customization of characters, which can be seen in Soul Calibur VI, Tekken 7, and other modern Japanese fighting games. In addition, the game has extremely realistic visuals of clothes and faces of characters, which there are 26.
If you miss these quality Japanese fisticuffs — and Tekken 7 and Soul Calibur VI already drive you crazy — you definitely should check out Dead or Alive 6.
The Occupation — 5th of March
Also in the first week of March will be released a new project by an independent British company White Paper Games — The Occupation.
The Occupation – one of the most interesting quests of the last years.
The setting is Great Britain in the 1980s, where happened a disastrous terrorist attack that has taken lives of 26 people. In the role of a journalist, the player will have to understand what happened and prevent a looming political scandal. To finish the game, the player has 4 real hours, which means that it can be ended without any player’s interactions, so solving all mysteries of the narrative is not easy.
For those who love fascinating stories and intrigues, The Occupation will be a perfect match.
Devil May Cry V — 8th of March
This year’s international women’s day will bring joy to fans of the Devil May Cry series, slash action shooter games.
The main characters of DMC 5 (from right to left): Dante, Nero and V
After 11 years, if not taking into account a remake in 2013, the Devil May Cry series returns with the complete sequelae — Devil May Cry V. The player still needs to exterminate hordes of demons in the roles of Dante, Nero, and mysterious V saving Red Grave City from awful hell-creatures. Everything the series is popular for stayed the same — powerful combos, considerable arsenal, and pinch of magic will not leave indifferent both veterans of the series and beginners.
There is no point of saying anything else — you have to see it for yourself. In case you are not ready to purchase the game, there is a demo version for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
Tom Clancy’s The Division 2 — 15th of March
In the middle of March will be released a project that can possibly become one of the best games for the next couple of years — Tom Clancy’s The Division 2, a loot shooter by UbiSoft.
Explicitly recreated ruined Washington is one of the main features of The Division
This time, as an agent of The Division the player will visit Washington, specially recreated on a one-to-one scale. Like in the first part, the main activity will be helping citizens, neutralizing local gangs, recapturing their territory and, of course, the production of new weapons and armor in industrial volumes. There is also a PvP mode in the form of Dark Zones.
This time, as an agent of the «Division» the player will visit Washington, specially recreated on a one-to-one scale. Like in the first part, the main activity will be helping citizens, neutralizing local gangs, recapturing their territory and, of course, the production of new weapons and armor in industrial volumes. There is also a PvP mode in the form of Dark Zones.
You can play the game either by yourself or in the company of three friends, so whether you look for a game for a couple of evenings or even months, you will definitely enjoy Tom Clancy’s The Division 2.
The Sinking City — 21st of March
A week later, the world will see a new project by Ukranian Frogwares, which is famous for its games about Sherlock Holmes. This time, they were inspired by works of Howard Lovecraft.
You cannot miss The Sinking City if you are a Lovecraft fan
The game’s setting is a fictional American town called Oakmont in in the 1920s. Our protagonist is an investigator Charles W. Reed who decided to visit Oakmont, which turned into a half-flooded wasteland with a couple of people that did not leave the town after the flood. What has happened in this town? What does Reed has to do with it? Carefully exploring the city and communicating with witnesses, the player will find answers to these and many other questions.
For those who was not impressed by the recent Call of Cthulhu and those who love mysteries and puzzles, The Sinking City is mandatory for familiarization.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice — 22nd of March
A day later, on the store shelves will appear the most sadistic project of the month or even of the year — a new game by From Software, the authors of Dark Souls and Bloodbourne.
In Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice even prosthesis can be used as a deadly weapon
Instead of Gothic of the middle ages you will experience Japan in late 1500s, a Sengoku period. Under the control of the player is the warrior Sekiro, who seeks revenge on the Ashina clan for the loss of his master and a hand, which he now replaces with the mechanical prosthesis. With the help of his new mechanical limb, Sekiro will be able to use the hook and other useful fixtures which can be switched in a moment. As for the combat system, it will be based on blocks and parrying.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice promises the same furious action and brand-name complexity of From Software. If you want to tickle your nerves the game will intrigue you as well.
Yoshi’s Crafted World — 29th of March
At the very end of the month will be released Youshi’s Crafted World — infinitely cute 2.5D platformer about the dragon Yoshi by Nintendo.
Yoshi’s Crafted World is definitely one of the cutest projects of this year
The new adventure of Yoshi is created in a handmade aesthetics. The dragon will have to work his way through DIY obstacles made of paper, fabric and other everyday materials in an unusual appearance. The main feature of the game is a reverse mode which turns the world around enabling to look behind the facade of homemade obstacles. The game can be played by two players as well.
Youshi’s Crafted World is a mandatory purchase for everyone who misses classic platformers, but looks for something fresh, and also for those who likes relaxing and colorful games. If you are not sure about buying you can try the demo version.
During cold winter nights you can make mulled wine, dive into a blanket, and watch black and white movies. Those which characters of Sarah Jessica Parker and Chris Noth were watching in the second part of Sex in the City. true masterpieces keep thrilling and never get old. Their black-and-white aesthetics as well as acting still fascinate people.
All About Eve (1950)
Director: Joseph L. Mankiewicz
Plot: the competition between a Broadway legend Margo Channing (Bette Davis) and her fan, an amateur actress Eve Harrington (Anne Baxter). The audience can also see Marilyn Monroe in a small episodic role. For Marilyn it is one of the first roles in her career. The movie won six Academy Awards, including Best Film from any Source award. Half a century later, an eccentric Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar creates an allusion of the story in his All About My Mother film.
A shot from Everything abot Eve
A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)
Director: Elia Kazan
It is an adaptation of Tennessee Williams‘s play of the same name which brings us to poor districts of New Orleans. An aging, but still beautiful Blanche DuBois (Vivien Leigh) and her sister’s husband Stanley Kowalski (Marlon Brando) face the contradictions. The film won a lot of awards, including Vivien’s Academy Award nomination for Best Actress which, according to the actress led her to madness.
Vivien Leigh and Marlon Brando in A Streetcar Named Desire
Roman Holiday (1953)
Director: William Wyler
It is a light romantic comedy about a princess and an American journalist which touches more than one generation. The narrative is very simple, it tells the well-known story of love between a princess and a commoner. Audrey Hepburn won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance. It happened eight years prior her most recognizable role of Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany’sfilm.
Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck in Roman Holiday
Some Like It Hot (1959)
Director: Billy Wilder
The film starring Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, and Jack Lemmon which is often being called the best comedy in the movie history. The story of adventurers, hiding from gangsters, touring with the women’s orchestra, is known all over the world. The film won Academy Awards and a Golden Globe Award and became a leading film not only in the US, but also in USSR.
Marilyn Monroe as Sugar Kane
Psycho (1960)
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Those, who love being titillated, can watch a psychological horror film by Hitchcock. The film is construed as one of the key movies of all times. The principles of showing the subconscious fear of the characters, used by the director, influenced all subsequent horror films.
Anthony Perkins as Norman Bates
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966)
Director: Mike Nichols Elizabeth Taylor confessed in her memoirs that the role of Martha was the best in her career because during the whole shooting process she was Acting. A family drama about a relationship between loving and hating each other spouses caused a resonance among viewers and critics. The film built on conflicts and cursing which realistically shows family relationships. The film won five American Academy Awards, including one for Best Actress.
A frame from Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Manhattan (1979)
Director: Woody Allen
One of the most popular Woody Allen’s film takes the viewer to his favorite city. Passions, doubts, and contradictions of the characters are imbued with the rhythm of Manhattan. Viewers, critics, and new Yorkers themselves agree that the director has created a cinematic anthem of the city.
According to critics, Manhattan is the best Allen’s film
31 августа фанатское сообщество рэп–исполнителя Маршала Мэттэрса возликовало: свет увидел 10-й юбилейный альбом «Kamikaze». Это оказалось сюрпризом для всех, ведь не было не только анонсов, но и слухов.
Смысловая составляющая треков обширна и агрессивна: Эминем не поддается влиянию современных тенденций в рэп–музыке и не примыкает к так называемому мамбл–рэпу, где посыл отсутствует, а текст состоит из нескольких повторяющихся фраз. В треке «The Ringer» артист критикует это течение и его артистов, высмеивает «пустоту» музыки, говорит о копировании ключевыми представителями стиля Лил Уэйна («MGK, Igg’ Azae’, Lil Pump, Lil Xan imitate Lil Wayne»).
Досталось не только мамбл–рэпу, но и президенту США, критикам, не воспринявшим 9-й альбом «Revival», журналистам и коллегам.
Несмотря на то что рэперу из Кливленда Колсону Бэйкеру были посвящены всего несколько строк из 13-и треков, именно он стал самой интересной фигурой.
В треке «Not Alike» есть такие фразы:
«И я обращаюсь к тебе, хоть ты и сам знаешь, что ты представляешь из себя, Келли,
Я никогда не действую исподтишка и тем более не пишу диссы тайком.
Но ты можешь дальше комментировать мою дочь Хэйли».
Последние предложения — отсылка к твиту MGK 2012 года, где тот называет Хэйли Мэттерс «горячей» (на тот момент ей было всего 16 лет), с этим связаны слухи, якобы после твита Эминем забанил Колсона на радиостанции, которой заведует. А претензии к скрытым диссам связаны с тем, что в последних работах, а именно в треке «No reasons» (совместный с Tech N9ne) и во фристайле с Лейкерсом, Колсон без упоминания имени отпускает высказывания в сторону Эминема.
В интервью со Свэеем Каллоуэем, американским журналистом и радиоведущим, Эминем называет эти обе причины ключевыми.
Обложка к диссу MGK “Rap Devil”
Конфликт получает свое развитие.
С удивительной скоростью, через пять дней после релиза «Kamikaze», Machine Gun Kelly выпускает пятиминутный дисс на Маршалла с названием «Rap Devil», что является отсылкой к хиту «Rap God» из альбома MMLP 2, вышедшего в 2013 году. Сутки спустя дисс занял первое место на портале Genius.
В треке MGK насмехается над внешним видом «Бога Рэпа», указывает на то, что он «староват» и много думает о себе, но параллельно с нападками чередуются «восхваления», как-никак Эминем долгое время был кумиром и примером для артиста из Кливленда.
Дисс дошел до своего адресата: именитый рэпер даже назвал его «неплохим». Ответный трек не был ожидаемым, ведь Эминем склонен игнорировать подобные нападки, которые далеки от его уровня, но релиз не заставил себя ждать.
Обложка трека Эминема “Killshot”
Трек «Killshot» целиком посвящен Колсону и разбирает по косточкам его творение. Эминем указывает на отсутствие фактчекинга, банальность строк («у тебя странная борода», «слабые колени»), а также на былой фанатизм («Я, кажется, забыл перезвонить тебе. Держи автограф для твоей дочки»).
По многим параметрам «Killshot» оказался куда более состоятельным и объективным. За первые сутки трек вошел в десятку самых просматриваемых на Genius с 36-ю миллионами просмотров и до сих пор не сдает своих позиций в iTunes.
Был ли этот конфликт спланированной пиар–акцией или нет, мы уже не узнаем, но оба артиста по итогу остались в плюсе, а поклонники двух рэп–исполнителей получили дополнительный повод для дискуссий и достойные треки впридачу.
