Forget overpriced, tired Center Parcs. There are so many stylish, cheaper rivals popping up with plush spas, family activities and delicious food...this is the expert pick of where to go, and how much it costs
Competition is hotting up among Britain's upmarket holiday parks as families who have had enough of sky-high costs at the big-name resorts look elsewhere for a taste of the good life.
'Death to Spotify' Event Draws Interest From Some Musicians to Try Alternatives
An anonymous reader shared this report from the Guardian:
This month, indie musicians in San Francisco gathered for a series of talks called Death to Spotify, where attenders explored "what it means to decentralize music discovery, production and listening from capitalist economies". The events, held at Bathers library, featured speakers from indie station KEXP, labels Cherub Dream Records and Dandy Boy Records, and DJ collectives No Bias and Amor Digital. What began as a small run of talks quickly sold out and drew international interest. People as far away as Barcelona and Bengaluru emailed the organizers asking how to host similar events.
The talks come as the global movement against Spotify edges into the mainstream. In January, music journalist Liz Pelly released Mood Machine, a critical history arguing the streaming company has ruined the industry and turned listeners into "passive, uninspired consumers". Spotify's model, she writes, depends on paying artists a pittance — less still if they agree to be "playlisted" on its Discovery mode, which rewards the kind of bland, coffee-shop muzak that fades neatly into the background... The Death to Spotify organizers say their goal is not necessarily to shut the app down. "We just want everyone to think a little bit harder about the ways they listen to music," says [event co-founder] Manasa Karthikeyan. "It just flattens culture at its core if we only stick to this algorithmically built comfort zone."
So the goal was "down with algorithmic listening, down with royalty theft, down with AI-generated music," according to the event's other co-founder, Stephanie Dukich.
Basically some artists "are questioning whether it's doing much for them," says a professor of music at the University of Texas at Austin. The article cites performers who are trying Spotify alternatives, like pop-rock songwriter Caroline Rose, who released her new album only on vinyl and Bandcamp. "I find it pretty lame that we put our heart and soul into something and then just put it online for free," Rose says.
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
The 25 times the McCanns have had to face the trolls: All the slurs and conspiracy theories thrown at the distraught family since Madeleine went missing
Kate and Gerry McCann were for a short while in 2007 made suspects by the Portuguese in the disappearance of their daughter which opened the floodgates for a barrage abuse.
SNL's Colin Jost is slammed for making cruel joke about RFK Jr's appearance
Jost made a joke about RFK Jr's appearance in response to a contentious comment the Health Secretary made on Thursday that circumcised men were more likely to be autistic.
Byker Grove star looks unrecognisable as he reunites with his co-star nearly 20 years after starring in the children's show - can you guess who he is?
He was part of a huge children's TV show back in the noughties, where he graced the screen for four years.
Emma Raducanu breaks silence after worrying withdrawal from Wuhan Open, where British star was seen slumped in chair amid searing heat
Emma Raducanu has broken her silence after falling victim to the brutal Wuhan heat and retiring from her first-round match against Ann Li last week.
Mother, 38, tells of how her 'life has been ruined' after hit-and-run crash - as police hunt for driver
Kirsty Pickering, 38, suffered two broken legs, a broken arm, cracked ribs and cuts to her face in a crash in Bredbury, Stockport on October 6.
'Sexy and aggressive' British track star Amy Hunt makes hilarious admission about her love life after World Championship silver
The 23-year-old British track star delivered a stunning finish to the 200 metres final at the World Championships in Tokyo last month to come second.
Moment British lorry driver realises stowaway migrant has hitched a ride... but gets off when he tells him they're going to Belgium
Sam Sullivan, 26, was at the Calais truck stop picking up his export paperwork just before 5pm on Friday when he saw the young man get on the back of his lorry.
James Jordan rips into Strictly Come Dancing - insisting half of the 'tired' cast should be AXED and complaining that 'woke' judges have 'gone way too soft'
The dancer, who is currently on tour alongside fellow ex-professionals, admitted he was keen to see the entire cast shaken up, including the judging panel, in 'changes' to the BBC series.
My best friend Marianne was witty and beautiful. I loved her like a sister - so when she needed cash, I handed it over. Then £75k later I came to a sickening realisation...
After Johnathan Walton was conned out of his life savings by the woman he thought was his best friend, he was told he couldn't prosecute. So he set a trap of his own.
Harry and Meghan suffer another red carpet gaffe: Duchess awkwardly moves her husband's hand during photo call after pair were crowned 'Humanitarians of the Year'
The Duchess seems to look uncomfortable as she quickly breaks away from her husband as they pose for photographers ahead of being crowned 'humanitarians of the year'.
Three-Wheeled Solar Car Maker Aptera is About to Go Public
Last November Aptera successfully tested its first production-intent three-wheel solar-powered EV — and said it already had over 50,000 reservations. The vehicles had a solar charge range of 40 miles per day, reported Digital Trends, noting the crowdfunded company's cars also had an NCAS charging port. ("Solar-powered electric vehicles are also being developed by the likes of Germany's Sono Motors and the Netherlands' Lightyear, and by big automakers such as Hyundai and Mercedes-Benz.")
But this week the EV site Electrek pointed out that "There have been a handful of 'solar car' projects and they all have failed so far."
Aptera is one of the rare survivors, thanks to a couple of relatively successful crowdfunding efforts. The company has been inching closer to bringing its vehicle to production, but it still appears to need some investments to make it happen. Now, Aptera is going public.
Generally, that's good news. An initial public offering (IPO) means that a company is going to raise capital for its operations and give more people the opportunity to invest in the company. However, Aptera is not doing a traditional IPO. It's not even doing a SPAC deal. It's doing a direct listing, which means that if approved by NASDAQ, it will allow shareholders to trade their shares on the public market. This is usually an exit strategy for existing shareholders. Aptera won't receive any proceeds from going public... The company needs to be infused with capital soon, and this direct listing is not it.
The top-rated comment on the site suggests "Open market trading will establish a fair price for exchanges among the holders. I don't think this necessarily indicates they are trying to wind down the company."
And the article does also acknowledge the possibility of "public demand for the stock amid this crazy bubble we are in — resulting in a price increase, which Aptera takes advantage of with a public offering..."
"Aptera has now confirmed that it has received NASDAQ approval and the stock will start trading on October 16."
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
Muslim Charity Run that has banned all females over 12 from participating is being probed over potential equality law violations
The investigation comes after women and girls over the age of 12 were ruled out by a mosque from taking part in a charity fun run, as revealed by the Mail on Sunday.
Rachel Reeves WILL axe two-child benefit while soaking the rich with £30bn of tax hikes, hints Cabinet minister with weeks to go until Budget
Bridget Phillipson said she was 'confident' the government will 'do the right thing' to tackle poverty amid a clamour from Left-wing MPs and Reform.
The 1% Club divides viewers with show's final question as some find it 'easiest ever' while others 'completely stumped' - but would YOU guess it?
The ITV game show tasks 100 players with surviving increasingly difficult rounds of logic-based questions. Questions are based on a percentage of the population who managed to get them right.
Diane Keaton's reclusive final months revealed after her death at 79, as details of the astonishing $100M fortune she leaves her two adopted children emerge
Accompanied by her beloved dog Reggie, Diane Keaton showed no sign of ill health as she promoted National Pet Day on Instagram in April.
Six of the most haunted locations in Essex that bizarrely still see visitors
Lurking within these historic buildings in Essex are countless tales of paranormal activity that have terrified visitors for centuries.
Throwback photos show how Lakeside Shopping Centre has changed since opening 35 years ago
Why not take a trip down memory lane?
Six of the most haunted locations in Essex that bizarrely still see visitors
Lurking within these historic buildings in Essex are countless tales of paranormal activity that have terrified visitors for centuries.