Christian group plans 100-foot-tall Jesus statue in Muslim-dominated Nazareth
As Christians from across the globe flock to the Holy Land in time for Christmas prayers and ceremonies, some in the community in Nazareth are seeking to reaffirm the historical importance of their town by erecting a statue of Jesus that would tower more than 100 feet above the city.
The idea for the statue comes from Bishara Shlayan, a Christian merchant seaman who lives in Nazareth, the childhood home of Jesus. Shlayan has seen the demographics of Nazareth change considerably in recent years, with the Christian community becoming a minority while the Muslim population has grown to 70 percent of the 80,000 residents of the northern Israeli town.
“Slowly, but surely, the Christian identity in Nazareth is beginning to disappear,” said Shlayan, noting that signs in the main square declare that "There is no power but Allah."
The plan is for the statue of Jesus to be sit atop Mount Precipice, also known as the Mount of the Leap of the Lord, the promontory where according to Luke 4:29-30, a mob attempted to drive Jesus off the hilltop only for him to pass through them without injury. Shlayan is raising money for the project, but recently got what may be even more important backing: Israel’s Tourism Minister Uzi Landau gave him the green light, saying, “Start it, and we will bless it.”
“I don’t believe in statues, but it is a symbol of love and peace,” Shlayan told The Jerusalem Post. “People who are against it, it comes from jealousy.”
The statue is inspired by the iconic Christ the Redeemer figure that dominates the city of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, but would be even taller, said Shlayan.
In addition to honoring the town's most famous resident, the statue could prove a boon to tourism. Last year, some 3.5 million tourists visited Israel, of which 58 percent were Christians. Mount Precipice is the starting pointing of the already popular Gospel Trail, a 37-mile pilgrim route that opened in 2011, winding down from the heights of Nazareth and ending at Capernaum, 680 feet below sea level, on the shores of the Sea of Galilee.
Shlayan's dream is not shared by the Muslim majority, which has long considered his outspoken Christianity troublesome. But he has worked to build ties with Israel's Jewish population. Together with Father Gabriel Naddaf, a high-profile Greek Orthodox priest, Shlayan created the B’nei Habrit Christian Party of Israel. Although yet to be officially registered, the party has encouraged young Christians to join the Israeli military as a route to full integration into Israeli society. In 2013, the first year of their campaign, the number of Christians volunteering for military service has risen to 120 from 35, while the number volunteering for civilian national service has more than doubled to 500.
Muslims and Christians have co-existed in Nazareth for many years, but lately many of Nazareth’s Christians have left to live elsewhere, uneasy at the changing face and apparent new direction of their town. In 2002, following a two-year campaign by local Christians as well as the Vatican, the White House and an array of both Catholic and Protestant organizations, a controversial plan to build a new mosque alongside the Basilica of the Annunciation was eventually cancelled.
Anamorphic lenses were introduced for filmmaking in the 1950's to create an immersive, panoramic experience intended to compete with the widespread adoption of television. In addition to a wide aspect ratio, the anamorphic aesthetic is characterized by horizontal flares, distortion that creates a unique sense of depth or dimensionality, and oval "bokeh" or blur for out-of-focus areas. For these artistic reasons, anamorphic filmmaking has been enjoying a decades-long renaissance. However, due to the complexity and expense of the optics involved, anamorphic lenses are not readily available to most independent filmmakers. We believe there are stories best told with an anamorphic aesthetic, so we have developed an affordable 1.33x Anamorphic Adapter specifically for the iPhone 5/5S.
Shooting with the 1.33x Anamorphic Adapter optically “squeezes” a 33% wider scene onto the sensor, creating a raw image. The Anamorphic Adapter works the same way for still photographic mode, transforming the native 4:3 aspect ratio to panoramic 16:9.
There are many free or paid software packages available to de-squeeze video or still images created with an anamorphic lens for example Final Cut Pro or Handbrake for video, and Adobe Photoshop or GIMP for still images. For the best workflow, we are working with FiLMiC Pro to incorporate a 1.33x anamorphic de-squeeze in their first quarter 2014 release for full in-app compatibility with the Anamorphic Adapter. The Moondog Labs Anamorphic Adapter beautifully exhibits the wide aspect ratio and the classic horizontal purple flares and distortion that are characteristic of vintage anamorphic lenses. Unfortunately, the short focal length lenses used in mobile phone cameras lack the shallow depth of field needed to create significant bokeh in most situations, including the oval bokeh traditionally associated with anamorphic lenses.
Technical Specifications
1.33x afocal anamorphic adapter
Expands camera horizontal field of view (FOV) by 33%; vertical FOV is unchanged
Increases video aspect ratio from 16:9 to 2.4:1 (with software de-squeeze)
Increases still image aspect ratio from 4:3 to 16:9 (with software de-squeeze)
Compatible with iPhone 5/5S
Precision all-glass optical design
Single layer anti-reflection coatings
Precision CNC-machined aluminum housing
Secure clamping attachment mechanism, compatible with screen protectors
Mass: 49.4 grams (1.74 oz)
Overall dimensions: 32 x 26 x 38.5 mm (21.32 max. extension from iPhone)
Obama Delays Launch of Small Biz Health Exchange Website
In yet another setback for Obama's healthcare reform, the administration announced Wednesday that its small businesses online exchange will be delayed for one year, preventing small businesses from buying new plans via HealthCare.gov until November 2014.
The Small Business Health Options Program, or SHOP, which had already suffered delays before, was supposed to give businesses of fewer than 50 employees an easier way to get a more convenient healthcare plan for their employees
The delay is just the latest in a long string of issues for Obama's healthcare reform. Most notably, HealthCare.gov has been riddled with glitches and bugs since it launced in October.
“We’ve concluded that we can best serve small employers by continuing this offline process while we concentrate on both creating a smoothly functioning online experience in the SHOP Marketplace, and adding key new features, including an employee choice option and premium aggregation services, by November 2014,” read a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services notice, as reported by POLITICO.
The offline process to which the notice refers allows small businesses to apply for exchange coverage by paper, an option they've had since Oct. 1. To facilitate exchanges, the administration also announced Wednesday that companies looking for new coverage can now sign up using an agent or broker, or directly with an insurance company. The delay affects 36 states where the federal government is in charge of running the health insurance exchange. It does not affect the other 14 states, which manage their own exchanges.
No Thanksgiving Celebrations for Obamacare Website Team
The technology team working to fix computer problems hobbling the federal insurance website HealthCare.gov may not have time for turkey this week. Federal officials set a Nov. 30 deadline to expand hardware capacity and fix software bugs for the site and say they are racing against the clock to make it work well “for the vast majority of users” by Saturday.
“We have a lot of work left to do in the next few days,” Julie Bataille, a spokeswoman for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), told reporters Wednesday. Bataille said HealthCare.gov, which launched Oct. 1 and is meant to facilitate health-insurance enrollment for individuals in 36 states, can now handle 25,000 users at a time. She said CMS expects that capacity to double by Saturday. “We are on track for that to happen,” she said.Yet, Bataille warned that Nov. 30 is “not a magical day.”
“There will be times after Nov. 30 when the site, like any website, does not perform optimally,” she said. Heavy traffic could overwhelm the site, causing long delays for consumers trying to sign up for coverage. Bataille said that by Saturday, CMS will implement a “more advanced queuing system” for consumers forced to wait for one of 50,000 user slots. In addition, the website may recommend some users leave and come back during “off-peak hours” and will have a system to e-mail consumers when they can return to the website and enroll in a health-insurance plan. This announcement comes after a series of other delays in rolling out the ACA. In July, the Department of Health and Human Services announced that ACA fines charged to large employers who do not offer coverage would start in 2015, instead of 2014. A Spanish-language version of HealthCare.gov, originally expected to launch Oct. 1, will not function until December, HHS said on Tuesday.
And thanks to crashes, slow response times and software and hardware problems, HealthCare.gov itself has fallen behind enrollment goals set by federal officials who had hoped 7 million individuals would sign up for new coverage through that exchange and those run by states by the end of an open-enrollment period that ends March 31. In October, 106,185 people signed up for coverage through ACA exchanges run by the federal government and states, far short of the 500,000 federal officials had reportedly projected would enroll that month. In an effort to give consumers more time to purchase plans for coverage that starts Jan. 1, when many existing individual plans will end, the federal government recently said consumers who sign up for plans by Dec. 23 could purchase insurance that will start on Jan. 1. The previous deadline for such coverage was Dec. 15.
Remember Corning’s glass-filled vision of the future? A company called Posh View was inspired by the Gorilla Glass maker’s concept video and is trying to make one of the devices in that video real. Posh View’s iMirror is an Internet-connected touchscreen device that happens to have a mirror as its display.
The iMirror is a lot like today’s consumer touchscreen devices. It has apps for things like the weather, Facebook, Twitter, Google Maps and more. It also supports voice commands, although I don’t know how well it can recognize your voice when you have a toothbrush in your mouth.
I’m surprised they don’t have a Magic Mirror app yet. Sadly, the iMirror is going to cost you. You have to pledge at least $2,749 CAD (~$2,624 USD) on Kickstarter to get the device as a reward. I wonder if Apple’s going to spin the glare of their glossy displays into a feature.
What:
An exciting next step in the Internet of Things global movement.
We are experiencing a revolution in the way we make the objects in our world smarter and more interactive. In a time when companies like SmartThings are helping make the world's objects smarter, we are looking to bring a product to market that can make your life easier, while doing something you already spend time doing each day, looking at a mirror.
You spend an average of 168 hours a year in front of a mirror!
Did you look in a mirror today? Did you brush your teeth, wash your face, shave, do your hair (straighten, curl, or brush)? You spent plus or minus 18 minutes, which is the average, also meaning you spend approx 168 hours a year doing single, repetitive, monotonous tasks. The iMirror is the best way to take back some of that time you spend in front of a mirror each day. We are ambitiously creating a beautiful, simple to use interactive mirror that only needs internet access to change your mornings forever.
Why? Our vision is to change the way the world interacts through technology; we are extremely passionate and committed to make our vision a reality with the iMirror.
From a Day Made of Glass conceptual video, everything began. Rapid prototyping, sourcing of parts, configuring components, waiting impatiently for packages to arrive. Here’s what we came up with:
The Interactive Mirror will connect to the custom-built Circuit Board and house our custom built software platform.
How:
Production
The current version of the iMirror is built, and sold right here in Calgary from our workshop:
Our in-house engineers work hard to assemble the components specifically to customer specifications.
To streamline the process and provide a thinner interface that weighs less, we've joined forces with one of the best design firms in the business, Nuvation Engineering. Nuvation’s Integrated Design to Manufacturing process bridges the gap between traditional electronic design and manufacturing services. That means Nuvation designs for manufacturability from the start, to get the iMirror to market as fast - and affordable - as possible.
Our Partner
Nuvation provides the full range of electronic design services to take products from concept to market. Nuvation has delivered over 800 projects to clients in industries ranging from consumer electronics and medical devices to defense and aerospace.
With a proven track record and engineering teams recognized globally for their technical expertise, POSH View has faith that Nuvation will help us research, design, and develop an iMirror we can all be proud of.
What's next? Professional engineering services to research and design a cohesive iMirror solution to allow for mass production and secure our manufacturing partner. In 2014 we plan on having the iMirror in your favourite technology stores, ready for you to take out of the box, plug in, and connect to WiFi. That's all you need to begin to multi-task while shaving, doing your hair, and all those things that you need a mirror for.
We can't wait to get the POSH iMirror into your hands. Our Kickstarter will fund refinement of the electronics and tooling for mass production. It'll also give us an idea how many to include in our first production orders, so it's your chance to be the first to enjoy interacting with your mirror in an entirely different way. If we go over our Kickstarter goal, we'll be able to develop additional features for you such as different colors and other cool stuff we have planned.
We've built working proof-of-concepts like the one you've seen in the video above, created a comfortable user experience and interface, and will continue to toil to make sure that your interaction with the mirror is fluid, easy to use, and intuitive. Whether it's touch, gesture, or voice commands, the iMirror will be the best way to get ready for the day. The current proof-of-concept mirrors are integrated with off the shelf components, and custom built software packages.
Your support will help us reach these goals, and become an integral part of the new wave of "internet of things", without the do it yourself approach of programming and building your own. Polished, beautiful, and simple to use is what we are striving to deliver, and we can't wait to help people be super efficient whenever they spend time in front of a mirror.
Building a hardware technology product is hard. We have loads of software experience, and have built amazing proofs for the iMirror. We know however, that we need a whole team of engineers, and a bunch of capital to properly engineer and manufacture the mirror of the future. We've got Nuvation ready with their army of engineers, and will lean on their 15 years of experience to determine the best manufacturing partner(s) possible.
We will continue to work hard and build an integrated software platform that will amaze with its ease of use and personalized dashboard, able to bring all the apps you love on your pc and smartphone to the iMirror.
When the project gets funding we must be resilient and unwavering with our vision of a beautiful, high quality, and affordable product. Managing a project this size will take a lot of work, vision, and leadership. Struggles with competitors, platforms, manufacturers, and partners will be inevitable. We promise to work hard to overcome any obstacles, and to be transparent and communicate frequently with you when these arise.
We have the capacity, and ability to custom build your mirror in house as it is today, without a manufacturing partner, and without advancements made through an industrial engineering partner. If all else fails, we will take on the task to custom build your iMirror, from our workshop. You will not be asked to pay more, and will receive your iMirror as we build them in house. Delivery dates may be pushed back, but we will do our best to communicate proactively and often if we need to go this unlikely route.
Your money will go to Prototype Development. We know it’s possible to build the iMirror, now we want to make it better. Custom microprocessors inside, with a malleable software platform, combined with a super-thin reflective interface. We are working with Nuvation to help us mass-produce this baby. They know hardware, design, development, and fast production. Depending on demand, the goal will be to initially fulfill 2,000 orders, once the prototype is in its shiny, touchy, glorious self.
Thank you. From Kenneth, Pieter, our awesome POSH View team, and our partners.
It's time to change. First open source phone. What you want just add and remove your component. Lets see what MOTOROLA and GOOGLE made this...
Motorola Project Ara
When Dave Hakkens presented his idea for a modular smartphone, naysayers said it couldn’t be done. Well, it turns out Motorola i.e. the Google-owned company that invented the cellphone is working on a very similar device.
BUILD THE PROJECT
With all this amazing support we want to take it to the next step. We found a good partner and we are going to build an open-source online platform so you can help developing it.
NEW WAY OF DEVELOPMENT
Usually phone companies develop their products secretly in-house and show them when they are ready. Phonebloks is a big fan of getting the people involved right from the start, share ideas, feedback and work together. Thanks to all your huge support, Motorola is committed to develop this idea in the open. Working together with a large company on this scale is quite revolutionary. What we are most excited about is that they can’t make bad moves when the world is paying attention. The crowd can influence the direction of the project.
ONLINE PLATFORM
To build this phone with all your support and knowledge is quite difficult. We noticed there is a huge gap between large companies and individuals that want to help. They can't communicate, we want to build an online platform that lets individuals engage in big projects, influence development and help build the outcome. A controlled forum where everybody is working towards the same goal, and the best answers pop up. Connecting large companies with the outside world.
REDUCE EWASTE
We believe the first thing to do when reducing e-waste is setting up an open modular platform. Next to the ability to repair and upgrade your phone you are also able to choose which brands you support and want. On this platform any company/developer can make bloks. This way it's up to the consumer to decide what they will support. You go for biodegradable bloks, or search for bloks that are produced locally in 100km range, or get them second hand. The choice is yours, choose wisely
MOTOROLA
Motorola has been developing phones for over 40 years and actually made the first mobile phone and was recently bought by Google. Their innovation team has been working in-house on a modular phone concept, Project Ara. We decided to work together to build this phone platform. Phonebloks wants to stay an independent organization, that is why we ask for donations.
DESIGNED TO LAST
Phoneblok is made of detachable bloks. The bloks are connected to the base which locks everything together into a solid phone. If a blok breaks you can easily replace it; if it's getting old just upgrade.
BLOKSTORE
It's like an app store for hardware. In the store you buy your bloks, read reviews and sell old bloks. Small and big companies develop and sell their bloks. You can buy a pre-assembled phone or assemble it yourself by selecting the brands you want to support. The choice is yours.
OTHER DEVICES
The platform can be adapted into other sizes to create new devices like tablets, cameras etc.
ACCESSORIES Keeping your phone also means you can keep your accessories. No new docks, covers or cables.
SUBSCRIPTIONS Get a subscription so you don't get outdated. Receive a new blok every now and then to stay updated. Install it and send back the old one.
MADE BY THE USERS Bloks can be developed for specific needs. Solar powered batteries, sensitive screen for blind people, lightweight for travelers etc.
SUPPORT
We need your voice to show the world there is a need for this phone. Join our thunderclap and let's start a revolution.
What were the celebrity Halloween costume choices of 2013? Check out this round up of some of the best costumes celebrities are donning this year.
Stars had no problem sharing their creations on social networks like Instagram over the past few days as they prepared to head out to Hollywood parties celebrating the end of October holiday.
Angela Kinsey as ‘Top Gun’s’ Maverick
Al Roker as Mr. T
Derek Hough, Julianne Hough and friends as ‘Orange is the New Black’ characters
Jesse again with ‘Modern Family’ co-star Eric Stonestreet
Aaron and Thea Tippin
Jessica Alba as Cher from ‘Witches of Eastwick’ with friends
Josh Duhamel and Fergie celebrating The Day of the Dead
Lea Michele as a pirate
Lea Michele as a pirate
Miley Cyrus as Lil’ Kim
Naya Rivera as Carmen Sandiego
Neil Patrick Harris and family as ‘Alice in Wonderland’ characters
Nina Dobrev sporting a mask
Paris Hilton as Miley Cyrus
Paris Hilton as Miley Cyrus
Adam Lambert as a genie, Lance Bass and boyfriend as ‘Wayne’s World’s’ leads
Chris Colfer as R2D2
Jesse Tyler Ferguson and boyfriend as Batman and Robin
