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I tried Netflix’s Physical: 100 endurance test and it was one of the most difficult workouts I’ve ever done

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Physical: 100 has developed something of a cult following, and it’s easy to see why. Netflix’s South Korean fitness bonanza marries bizarre concepts (pulling a boat up a slope, anyone?) with genuinely grueling physical tests to deliver compelling entertainment. 

For those who haven’t seen it, the show starts with 100 contestants of all different shapes, sizes and genders before periodically whittling this number down to one “ultimate physique” through a series of tasks, or “quests”.  



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Why doing science is difficult in India today

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India’s academic freedom has been in steady decline for a decade. This is well documented: in the 2024 Academic Freedom Index update produced by V-Dem, a project on democracy based in Gothenburg, Sweden, India is ranked in the bottom 20% of a list of 179 countries and territories on metrics such as ‘institutional autonomy’ and ‘freedom to research and teach’.

Historically, academic freedoms were certainly not perfect in India. Yet even a cursory glance at the evidence reveals that the scale of restrictions and the misuse of laws to curb academic freedom has increased. In the interests of preserving India’s global competitiveness, whoever wins the election should seek to reverse this trend.

The documented drop in academic freedom is part of a broader decline in India’s vibrant culture of public debate. I have personally witnessed the growing restrictions during my 15 years as a researcher at the New Delhi-based Centre for Policy Research (CPR), where I served as president for 7 years until I stepped down in March.

My own research community — think tanks that aim to support evidence-based policies — engages deeply with the global academic and policy ecosystem. Given that public funds have many competing priorities, much of our research relies on international philanthropic funding. That is becoming increasingly difficult to come by, owing to a tightening of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), which controls licences to access foreign funding.

For instance, after amendments to this law in 2020, recipients of foreign funding cannot give subgrants to other organizations, making collaborative research impossible. And since 2014, nearly 17,000 civil-society organizations have lost their FCRA licences altogether. For those that still have a licence, the renewal process is onerous. Many organizations receive temporary extensions of three to six months, rather than the full period of five years allowed under law.

It seems that tax laws are also increasingly being used against institutions. Some research organizations are facing penalties and, in extreme cases, the loss of their tax-exempt status, which is required for accessing charitable donations. In September 2022, six institutions, including the CPR, were subject to tax ‘surveys’ that eventually resulted in them having both their FCRA licences and their tax-exempt statuses revoked. This has left them mired in legal minutiae and struggling to fund their work.

Similar challenges to the freedom to pursue independent research are visible on university campuses. In 2022, the India Academic Freedom Network (IAFN) prepared a status report for the United Nations special rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression. It lists 78 instances in which seminars, lectures or talks at public universities were disrupted by politically aligned groups or the permission to organize such events was denied. It also lists 25 cases of faculty arrests, including some under anti-terror and sedition laws — mostly for speaking on issues of public interest, on campus or in social-media posts. A further 37 incidents pertain to the arrest of students. The IAFN report also points to difficulties associated with foreign researchers obtaining visas and entering India — even for people who hold Overseas Citizenship of India cards.

All this comes at a juncture when critical feedback and effective consultation are required to secure the country’s long-term growth and prosperity. But rather than engage with ideas and challenge them in the spirit of inquiry and public debate, in my view, it has now become increasingly common for technocrats in government to seek to discredit researchers and suppress research. In late 2023, for instance, the World Bank removed from its website an important study that highlighted reversals of progress recorded under a flagship sanitation programme. The bank cited procedural issues, but was presumably under government pressure.

Even crucial government data are now hard to obtain. The decennial census, for example, was last conducted in 2010–11; the public report on the 2017–18 household consumption expenditure survey was junked and only partial data have been released from the 2022–23 survey. The consequences of this are significant. In my field, development and social policy, the data gaps make it harder to measure changes in well-being. The debate on poverty reduction is bogged down in estimates, leaving the public with relatively little objective analysis on the reach and effectiveness of economic policies.

To reverse these trends, researchers must make their voices heard and be willing to defend the principle and value of academic freedom in the public domain. Research bodies should engage more effectively with philanthropists in India and find ways to preserve the space for civil discourse. An alliance with broader civil society is also required to push back against draconian regulations that undermine scientific freedoms.

India’s experience is not unique, but a reflection of a broader malaise. The V-Dem report makes it clear that several countries — including the United States, where university campuses are in turmoil — have witnessed a deterioration in the space available to pursue independent research. Researchers in India and elsewhere should fight to retain that space. It will be a long and difficult battle. But it is an essential one.

Competing Interests

The author declares no competing interests.

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How to Decode Difficult Texts with Google Bard

Google Bard

This guide is designed to show you how to use Google Bard to decode difficult texts. Have you ever encountered a piece of writing that resonated with the perplexity of an ancient riddle, intricately woven into a labyrinthine mystery, further enshrouded within an enigmatic puzzle? Consider the complexity of dense academic papers, the cryptic nature of legal documents, or the timeless yet sometimes inscrutable prose of classic literature. These forms of writing can often leave us in a state of bewilderment, earnestly seeking a modern-day Rosetta Stone to unravel their intricate meanings.

But now, there’s a reason to set aside your concerns, esteemed seekers of knowledge! Enter Google Bard, an AI-powered language model of the latest generation, crafted to act as your digital decryption key. This advanced tool stands ready to guide you through the labyrinth of even the most formidable texts, illuminating their hidden meanings and unlocking the secrets buried within their lines. Google Bard represents a beacon of understanding in the vast sea of complex literature, offering clarity and insight where once there was only confusion and uncertainty.

Bard’s Superpowers:

Bard’s arsenal of tools for textual comprehension is nothing short of impressive. Here’s a glimpse into its magic bag:

  • Natural Language Processing (NLP): Bard understands the nuances of human language, from grammar and syntax to context and sentiment. This allows it to parse complex sentences, identify key points, and even grasp the author’s intent.
  • Knowledge Graph: Bard has access to a vast and ever-growing knowledge graph, a web of interconnected facts and concepts. This allows it to draw upon relevant background information to illuminate obscure references and fill in missing pieces.
  • Machine Learning: Bard is constantly learning and evolving, its algorithms refined by the immense dataset of text and code it has been trained on. This means its ability to understand and interpret challenging texts is always improving.

Strategies for Unlocking Difficult Texts with Bard:

Now, let’s put Google Bard’s powers to the test! Here are some practical strategies for using it to tackle those head-scratching texts:

1. Summarization:

Feeling overwhelmed by the sheer volume of a text? Ask Bard to summarize it! Briefly explain the context and your desired level of detail, and Bard will condense the key points into a concise and understandable digest. This is a great way to get a quick grasp of the main arguments before diving deeper.

2. Paraphrasing:

Struggling with complex sentence structures or obscure vocabulary? Bard can rephrase the text in simpler terms, making it easier to digest. This is especially helpful for academic jargon or outdated language.

3. Definition and Explanation:

Encountered an unfamiliar term or concept? Don’t let it become a roadblock! Bard can provide definitions and explanations, drawing upon its vast knowledge graph to shed light on even the most esoteric references.

4. Contextualization:

Is the author’s argument unclear or the historical context missing? Google Bard can help! Ask it to provide relevant background information, cultural references, or historical context to give you a deeper understanding of the text’s meaning.

5. Question Answering:

Have specific questions about the text? Bard can act as your own personal study guide, answering your questions in a comprehensive and informative way. This is a great way to delve deeper into specific points and clarify any lingering doubts.

Remember:

While Bard is a powerful tool, it’s important to remember that it’s still under development. Always approach its interpretations with a critical eye, double-checking facts and cross-referencing information with other reliable sources.

Beyond Text:

Bard’s text-decoding abilities extend beyond written words. It can also analyze and understand audio recordings, making it a valuable tool for deciphering lectures, speeches, or even historical recordings.

The Future of Decoding:

As Bard and other AI language models continue to evolve, their ability to understand and interpret complex texts will only become more sophisticated. Imagine a future where students can effortlessly navigate dense academic material, or where anyone can access and comprehend the wisdom of ancient texts. The possibilities are truly exciting!

So, the next time you encounter a challenging text, don’t despair! Remember, Google Bard is just a query away, ready to be your trusty decoder ring on the path to unlocking the secrets of knowledge.

Bonus Tip:

For optimal results, provide Google Bard with as much context as possible about the text you’re trying to understand. The more information you give it, the better it can tailor its assistance to your specific needs.

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