The Sims introduces trans-inclusive characters with top surgery scars & chest binders

Feb 1 2023

Cementing itself as a cultural phenomenon since its inception in the year 2000, The Sims continues to lay down its legacy in 2023 as it is set to introduce trans-inclusive characters. This move towards inclusion and representation in the gaming industry has been met with praise from the LGBTQ+ community and allies.

Top surgery, also known as gender confirmation surgery or chest masculinisation surgery, is a medical procedure that helps transgender men achieve a chest appearance that aligns with their gender identity. Chest binders, which are tight-fitting undergarments, are often used to flatten the chest and create a more masculine appearance for those who have not undergone surgery.

The Sims’ commitment to diversity and inclusiveness extends beyond its character customisation options. The game also features same-sex relationships and allows players to create families with same-sex parents. This not only shows support for the LGBTQ+ community, but also helps to normalise and celebrate diverse forms of love and family.

While The Sims’ inclusion of trans-inclusive characters is a step in the right direction, there is still much work to be done in the gaming industry to ensure that all players feel represented and valued. However, the inclusion of top surgery scars and chest binders in The Sims sends a message of hope and acceptance to the LGBTQ+ community, and serves as a model for other games to follow.

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KSU-PwC COMMON ROOM GIVING STUDENTS SPACE TO STUDY – AND SNACKS!

Feb 1 2023

A collaboration between KSU (Kunsill Studenti Universitarji) and PwC has seen the creation of the ‘Common Room’ which invites students to study and even munch on some snacks as they do so!

Given that the University of Malta Library closes relatively early for some wishing to get in a few extra hours of studying, the Common Room has become a useful and collaborative space for all furthering their education at the institution.

The student team also provided healthy snacks for anyone wishing to use the space, and, despite not doing so anymore, the room is still open and available to ‘make night time studies a little bit better.’

Groups are also welcome to study at the space, encouraging the students to cultivate their skills further.

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ChatGPT creators release “not fully reliable tool” to detect content generated by AI

Feb 1 2023

OpenAI, the creators of artificial intelligence phenomenon ChatGPT, have released a new tool made to analyse and detect whether or not a text was generated but artificial intelligence.

Whilst the research lab has noted that the tool is not fully reliable, it has been programmed to note the difference between human-written text and one generated by different AI tools, ChatGPT or otherwise.

The cutting-edge language model that has numerous applications in natural language processing (NLP) tasks such as text generation, translation, question answering, and conversation. Its sophisticated algorithms allow it to generate human-like responses based on the input it receives, making it a valuable tool for various industries, including customer service, content creation, and education.

The tool reportedly only identified 26% of AI-generated English texts and also incorrectly labelled human-written texts as AI in 9% of instances.

Despite sweeping the globe for its functionality, the AI tool generated a fair amount of concern with regards to plagiarism.

While ChatGPT can provide quick answers and generate text, it is important for users to ensure that any generated content is properly cited and not passed off as their own original work. This not only protects the original creators but also upholds the integrity of the user’s own work and reputation.

What do you make of this?

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Iranian influencer couple jailed for 10 years for dancing in Tehran

Feb 1 2023

In a shocking turn of events, an Iranian influencer couple has been sentenced to prison after posting a video of themselves dancing. The video, which went viral on social media, sparked controversy and backlash from conservative quarters in the country.

Astiyazh Haghighi and her fiance, Amir Mohammad Ahmadi, both in their early 20s, were arrested in early November after a video went viral showing them dancing romantically in front of the Azadi Tower.

Iranian court has handed jail sentences of more than 10 years each to a young couple who danced in front of one of Tehran’s main landmarks in a video seen as a symbol of defiance against the regime

The couple, who had amassed a large following on their social media accounts, were arrested and charged with violating public decency laws. Despite widespread support from the international community and calls for their release, they were found guilty and sentenced to several years in prison.

This case highlights the ongoing struggle for freedom of expression in Iran and the challenges faced by those who dare to challenge the status quo.

#MaltaDaily