Tag: #6-1

Шестой ряд – место 1 (видео)

The real virtual crime

How piracy affects original content

Reading time 5 minutes

According to a 2019 survey by the Slovak company ESET, 91% of Russians use pirated content and software. The high cost of online products is the main problem that, according to 75% of respondents, causes people to illegally watch movies, play computer games and purchase software. Piracy affects the distribution of original products, but is it always on the negative side? It turns out that no.

The ambiguity of the effect of piracy

Piracy, of course, can lead to lower sales and losses for copyright holders who invest money and time in creating and promoting a product. On the other hand, it can help to distribute content or software in regions where there is no official distribution or support for a certain language. However, a study by the European Commission did not find any statistical connection between piracy and falling sales. This does not mean that it does not exist, but a direct correlation has not been proven. Rather, it depends on the type of content.

Piracy does help to increase sales of obscure films and television series. People have an opportunity to “try out” a media product before they buy it and, for instance, if they don’t like the plot of the movie, they don’t have to pay. But for blockbusters the situation is reversed: popular films are sure to lose some box office receipts due to piracy. Sometimes film companies even cancelled screenings in some regions to prevent the “theft” of content. And in 2016, Century Fox refused to participate in the famous Comic-Con festival because of concerns about piracy.

Cast of the X-Men franchise in 2015 at Comic-Con. In 2016, Fox representatives had no comment on their refusal to show their upcoming films in Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con.
Cast of the X-Men franchise in 2015 at Comic-Con. In 2016, Fox representatives had no comment on their refusal to show their upcoming films in Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con.

In the sphere of video games piracy has a positive effect on sales. Illegal consumption leads to the growth of legal consumption. This phenomenon can be explained by the fact that the industry successfully converts “pirates” into paying users. One of the successful tactics that contribute to this process is to offer additional levels or bonuses in the game on a paid basis.

In music and literature, piracy plays almost no role, except that it can increase concert sales for performers through the distribution of content. Moreover, for books, audio compositions, and video games, prices are at a level that corresponds to the willingness of “illegal users” to pay for content. This suggests that lowering the price level will not reduce piracy in these areas.

Why piracy must be fought

Nevertheless, piracy is not just a way of distributing content or software. It is an illegal activity that is forbidden for a number of reasons. Piracy is not only a theft of intellectual property from companies or the individual developer, but it also has a significant negative effect on the economy and innovation. Piracy costs the economy tens of billions of dollars each year. In 2017 alone, the value of all unlicensed copies of computer software installed worldwide was estimated at $46 billion. Also, piracy reduces demand in the labor market. Thus, according to 2016 data, 27 thousand jobs were not created in Poland.

In addition, piracy affects not only sales, but also innovation. Unable to profit from their creative works, copyright owners may find it difficult to finance new projects. This often causes inventions and developments to be frozen. Creators have to invest extra money to fight piracy and spend time and resources to block illegal ways to acquire content or software.

«Matthias & Maxime»: meet in Russia

Xavier Dolan's new film is screened in Moscow

Reading time 5 minutes

On 10 November, at Moscow’s main premiere and festival venue, the «October» cinema hosted an event to celebrate the release of Xavier Dolan’s eighth film in Russian cinemas.

In anticipation of the premiere
In anticipation of the premiere

What is so remarkable about «Matthias & Maxime»? When «The Death and Life of John F. Donovan» was released, many fans rebuked the director for being typical and «plastic», a departure from his unique, distinctive style (all the while the cast could boast such stellar names as Kit Harington and Natalie Portman). Indeed, Xavier himself later admitted in an interview with «Apartamento» magazine that he saw many flaws in it and was disappointed with the result.

«Matthias & Maxime» is a return to the personal, intimate and «chamber» aspects of Dolan’s work that those who have long followed his career appreciate. In it, he revisits his favorite themes. These include the characters’ troubled relationship with their families, their attempts to understand and accept themselves and, for the filmmaker, the crucial question of perceptions of homosexuality. This time, Xavier has also tackled the theme of friendship, which is central to «Matthias & Maxime»: it is through this that the characters are drawn.

Friendship... or something more?
Friendship… or something more?

«Matthias and Maxime» are at an age when they are still young, but not enough to be part of a generation that has abandoned labels in favor of freedom and independence. When I was graduating from high school, the guy who kissed the guy was «gay», the girl who kissed the girl was «straight». Now, thank God, notions of sexuality and gender have broadened compared to what they used to be, but that does not mean that there are no barriers in our minds that prevent us from accepting the new», – the director said.

The film is shot with Dolan’s trademark aestheticism, evident in every detail, the clothes and hairstyles of the characters or the interiors in which they meet for dinner at Maxime’s farewell party. A special role here is given to the musical accompaniment, a melodic and sensual soundtrack written by Canadian composer Jean-Michel Blais.

«Where did I get the confidence to become a filmmaker at eighteen? Nowhere. You just have to believe in your films and, in time, others will believe in them too. Now, I feel the critics have already recognized that I’m a director and not a teenager whose homework they have to check». – Xavier Dolan

After the screening in «October», Xavier got in touch with Russian fans via Skype. From the conversation with the director, they learned that the entire company of friends shown in the film consisted of Dolan’s buddies, as well as about his desire to dedicate «Matthias and Maxime» to four respected directors of recently released LGBT films (Eliza Hittman, Luca Guadagnino, Joel Edgerton and Francis Lee). Already at the very end of the conversation, Xavier delighted fans with a promise to come to Russia, so now we can hope for a face-to-face meeting with the Cannes triumphant.

Nice to see you, Xavier!
Nice to see you, Xavier!

DNA discoverer is exposed in racism again

Nobel laureate James Watson was deprived of all titles after the film

Reading time 4 minutes

The American laboratory of Cold Spring Harbor has recalled all the honorary titles of DNA discoverer of Nobel Prize winner James Watson. In early January, the non-profit organization PBS released a documentary film in which the researcher spoke about the intellectual inferiority of blacks. He stated that science lacks a theory that proves the genetic difference in the IQ index of whites and blacks.

Because of the lack of political correctness, the scientist was deprived of the title of honorary trustee, honored professor named after Oliver Grace and honored leader. Employees of the CSHL noted the reprehensibility of what was said to scientists and the inconsistency of these words with scientific data. They also stressed the incompatibility of the statements of the former chairman with the values ​​of the laboratory.

Джеймс Уотсон занимал должность директора и президента CSHL на протяжении 35 лет
James Watson served as director and president of the CSHL for 35 years

Recall that it was racist remarks that led to the removal of James Watson from a laboratory leadership position. In 2007, James Watson, in an interview with the Sunday Times, condemned social policy towards Africa, noting the intellectual inequality of blacks and whites.

With such statements, the biologist has repeatedly undermined his authority in the scientific community. Thus, in an interview with The Sunday Telegraph, the researcher spoke about the homosexual orientation. He said that it would be fair to give a choice to a pregnant woman: to give birth to a homosexual child or not. However, scientists have not yet found the gene responsible for sexual orientation, and it is impossible to determine. In another interview, Watson made it clear that he would not have recruited an obese person.

The scandals associated with the convictions of a scientist, largely spoiled his reputation in the scientific field. In 2014, the biologist declared that the scientific community does not want to recognize its existence. Therefore, Watson decided to put the Nobel Medal up for auction. The money went to charity. For the first time in history, an honorary award was sold during the life of a laureth. The medal was bought by businessman Alisher Usmanov, and in 2015, a lecture by James Watson was held at the Russian Academy of Sciences, at which he was returned the award.

Президент РАН Владимир Фортов возвращает медаль Джеймсу Уотсону, 2015 год
RAS President Vladimir Fortov returns the medal to James Watson on behalf of Alisher Usmanov

Multitasking is pure evil

Doing multiple things at a time means hurting yourself and your work

Reading time 4 minutes

Everybody is used to listening to music, texting friends or colleagues, eating, doing some mechanical work all at once. As a rule, we feel more productive and proud of ourselves for that as well. However, it is not so simple.

There is a reason to believe that multitasking reduces our productivity by almost 40%. The thing is doing numerous tasks at the same time on regular basis can affect psychological, mental, and physical states. The human organism is simply not adapted to working in Julius Caesar mode.

During a research, conducted by Stanford University scientists, was established that multitasking can cause stress, lack of motivation, and mood swings. «Your brain may be in trouble,» is researchers’ message. The also proved the lack of concentration skills  in people who do several things simultaneously. As a result, we get tiredness and apathy.

Moreover, scientists at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) discovered that multitasking is directly related to memory operation. Constant stress and lack of focus make the human brain indiscriminately filter information and forget it pretty fast. Although it happens gradually, it is significant to start fighting against the problem before it’s too late. After a conversation, try recalling some details, numbers, or characteristics of people in a crowded room. In case of failure, don’t rush into countless memory training apps, but try to listen to your body and rationally evaluate how much you overloaded the nervous system.

 

 

By doing a lot of assignments at the same time, you significantly degrade the quality of work and increase the number of errors. The brain cannot work on all fronts equally perfect. Defocusing attention forces us to perform tasks on the principle of: «Good enough.» Do you really want to be a mediocre worker?

Obviously, modern life does not allow us to function without multitasking sometimes. Yet, it is important to fight against its overabundance. There are a couple of simple, but effective tips:

  • Do no more than two tasks at a time;
  • Use the rule of 20 minutes: do not switch the task if you have been doing it for less than 20 minutes;
  • Do not hesitate to ask friends and colleagues to wait if you are busy. Just point out the problem in time and rationalize your arguments;
  • Do not use social media during work – it adds an extra load on the brain. In case it is complicated for you, use blocking apps;

  • Диалог с коллегами
    Do not try to do everything at once

 

“As a trickle of blood running down my leg”

Что чувствует участница #тихогопикета под прицелом тысячи глаз

Reading time 8 minutes

[epapop id=’3958′]

This release with a poster against the decriminalization of domestic violence was not planned. I got to the meeting — so did a poster for #tehohoito. It was not terrible, it was a thrill and a sense of responsibility to society.

My poster against the decriminalization of domestic violence.

In the bus, people looked furtive, but I’m still nervous. I felt like I merged with the poster itself became a political statement. In the subway people were staring at me already open. There went the excitement, there was only interest — “hear” whether a poster?

the end of the day on the escalator, I caught up with a young man who offered to deal with domestic tyrants without involving the police. I disagreed with him, but I was pleased with his support.

I gathered laudatory comments from friends and relatives and encouraged colleagues to take part in #technicite. The day the poster was an inspiring experience.

Report about the day in the official group #tihovolya.
a Report about the day in the official group #tehohoito.

Silent scream

unlike conventional picket #thepike is an invitation to dialogue about social issues, politics, art. Anyone can participate — you need to come up with a poster, attach it in a conspicuous place and be ready to talk.

Participant #tehohoito Sasha AlexeevAlexander Alekseev

20 years

One of the first participants #of tehohoito, teacher gender club HSE, activist.

Many people need time to understand and accept some things. You never know what will end the conversation with a stranger. Someone is just too lazy to argue, and someone will take your position only a few months. So I don’t know, it turns out or not. First, hard, then quickly get used to. In my case, the negative contacts were very few. I wanted to give up only after the Internet reaction to the poster about menstruation.

a Poster about menstruation
Poster Sasha about menstruation

I Usually feel the support of others, and frustration passes quickly. Sometimes, I want to go into isolation for a suspended Mars. Activism is for me a way to productively use the negative feelings that I kindly supplying the world around us. Thanks to the activism I have become more open to people from the “outside”. Previously, it seemed that the dialogue outside the circle of my communication is impossible, and now I got rid of self-censorship.

Sasha's response to abuse in connection with the poster about menstruation
Sasha’s Post in response to insults in connection with the poster about menstruation.

a New beginning

Now #thepike is not the Union of three activists and a large community that continues to speak to people even without the Creator of the action. “My personal shares is possible,” commented Daria your care.

Poetry poster of the founder shares Darya Serenko
Poetical poster the founder shares Darya Serenko
Daria about leaving #tehohoito
Daria about leaving #tehohoito

the Most popular topics among the participants — discrimination and criticism of the government.

the Alexander lighthouse, the participant

Alexander's lighthouse member“I have long been inspired as #thepike and actionism in General. Thanks to credible sources of information I started to discover the horrifying facts. I was scared for others. The most memorable interaction with people. During, before and after the action. Someone thinks mad that someone supports, someone also decides to come up with a poster”.

 

Poster Alexandra
Poster Alexandra

Anna Babinska participant

“Doubt was, but I wasn’t. I know my district, we have people not too curious. To consider — Yes, to be exact, and to come and talk… No. So I’m not worried”.

 

Poster of Anna
Poster Anna

the Daria Bitter, party

Daria Bitter, party“there Were a lot of emotions, but they disappeared in a very strong sense of unease and discomfort. A man with a poster in a residential area was inappropriate. You look like you was without an important piece of clothing. Somehow, in the vicinity of his home was the worst, and on the way to the subway had to hide the poster from people.”

 

Poster Daria
Poster Daria

Hope, member

“a Couple of months I watched the action, was valued, struggled with internal barriers. The poster is still forced out of the cosy comfort zone. In August I took a marker and wrote his first poster. It was a thrill, but it was gone when I heard people discussing my picket. The outcome of the review early — don’t think for me the campaign will ever end.”

 

Posters of Hope
Posters of Hope

What to watch

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