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Tag: vision

Why is an Amazon-backed AI startup making Orson Welles fan fiction?

On Friday, a startup called Fable announced an ambitious, if head-scratching, plan to re-create the lost 43 minutes of Orson Welles’ classic film “The Magnificent Ambersons.”

Why is a startup that bills itself as the “Netflix of AI,” and that recently raised money from Amazon’s Alexa Fund, talking about remaking a movie that was first released in 1942?

Well, the company has built a platform that allows users to create their own cartoons with AI prompts — Fable is starting out with its own intellectual property, but it has ambitions to offer similar capabilities with Hollywood IP. In fact, it’s already been used to create unauthorized “South Park” episodes.

Now Fable is launching a new AI model that can supposedly generate long, complex narratives. Over the next two years, filmmaker Brian Rose — who has already spent five years working to digitally reconstruct Welles’ original vision — plans to use that model to remake the lost footage from “The Magnificent Ambersons.”

Remarkably, Fable has not obtained the rights to the film, making this a prospective tech demo that will probably never be released to the general public.

Why “Ambersons”? If you’re not a Welles-loving cinephile, I’m guessing it sounds like an obscure choice for digital resurrection.

Even among classic movie buffs, Welles’ second film is overshadowed by its older, more famous sibling. While “Citizen Kane” is often called the greatest movie ever made, “Ambersons” is remembered as a lost masterpiece that the studio took out of the director’s hands, dramatically cutting it down and adding an unconvincing happy ending.

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The movie’s reputation — the sense of loss and what could have been — is presumably what interested Fable and Rose. But it’s worth emphasizing that the only reason we care about “The Magnificent Ambersons” today is because of Welles — because of how it derailed his Hollywood career, and how even in its diminished form, it still reveals so much of his filmmaking genius.

That makes it even more astonishing that Fable apparently failed to reach out to Welles’ estate. David Reeder, who handles the estate for Welles’ daughter Beatrice, described the project to Variety as an “attempt to generate publicity on the back of Welles’ creative genius” and said that it will amount to nothing more than “a purely mechanical exercise without any of the uniquely innovative thinking [of] a creative force like Welles.”

Despite Reeder’s criticism, he seems less upset by the idea of attempting to re-create “Ambersons” and more by the fact that the estate was not “even given the courtesy of a heads up.” After all, he noted, “the estate has embraced AI technology to create a voice model intended to be used for VO work with brands.”

I’m not so open-minded. Even if Welles’ heirs were being consulted and compensated, I’d have zero interest in this new “Ambersons,” just as I have zero interest in hearing a digital simulacrum of Welles’ legendary voice being used to hawk new products.

Now, Welles fans know this isn’t the first time other filmmakers have tried to posthumously fix or finish his movies. But at least those attempts used footage that Welles had shot himself. Fable, meanwhile, describes its planned approach as a hybrid of AI and traditional filmmaking — apparently some scenes will be reshot with contemporary actors whose faces will then be swapped for digital re-creations of the original cast.

Despite the absurdity of announcing a project like this without the film rights or the blessing of Welles’ daughter, at least Rose seems motivated by a genuine desire to honor Welles’ vision. For example, in a statement about why he wants to re-create the film, Rose mourned the destruction of “a four-minute-long, unbroken moving camera shot whose loss is a tragedy,” with only 50 seconds of the shot remaining in the recut film.

I share his sense of loss — but I also believe this is a tragedy that AI cannot undo.

No matter how convincingly Fable and Rose may be able to stitch together their own version of that tracking shot, it will be their shot, not Welles’, filled with Frankensteined replicas of Joseph Cotten and Agnes Moorehead, not the actors themselves. Their final product will not be Welles’ version of “The Magnificent Ambersons” that RKO destroyed more than 80 years ago. Barring a miraculous rediscovery of lost footage, that version is gone forever.

2025-09-15
Blue eyes are thought to be more light-sensitive – Health Cages
Introduction:

In this blog, we’ve learned about the risks of sun exposure to our eyesight and vision. The sun emits ultraviolet (UV) light, which can harm our eyes if we’re not adequately protected. We discovered that individuals with lighter-colored eyes, such as blue eyes, are more susceptible to the effects of sunlight due to lower levels of melanin, the protective pigment in our eyes.

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Light sensitivity, whether mild or severe, can be managed with sunglasses or special lenses, but persistent sensitivity may signal underlying eye issues that require medical attention. Additionally, we’ve gained insight into various eye conditions and factors that can contribute to light sensitivity, emphasizing the importance of seeking professional help if experiencing problems. Overall, this blog underscores the significance of wearing UV-blocking sunglasses and taking proactive measures to safeguard our eyes against sun damage, ensuring long-term eye health and enjoyment of outdoor activities.

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Why Is Sun Exposure Risky for Your Eyesight and Vision?

It’s common advice to avoid looking directly at the sun because it can hurt your eyes. But how dangerous is it?

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The sun gives off ultraviolet (UV) light, which can be okay in small amounts. But too much can harm your eyes, affecting parts like the cornea and lens. Without protection, your eyes could get seriously damaged.

You don’t have to hide from the sun completely, but it’s smart to wear sunglasses whenever you’re outside, especially in bright sunlight, snowy conditions, or while driving. Good sunglasses can keep your eyes safe while you enjoy the sunshine.

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Are Blue Eyes More Sensitive to Light

Yes, blue eyes are generally more sensitive to light compared to darker-colored eyes. This heightened sensitivity is due to the lower levels of melanin, the pigment responsible for protecting the eyes from harmful UV rays. Melanin acts as a natural filter, shielding the eyes from excessive light exposure. However, individuals with lighter-colored eyes, such as blue eyes, have less melanin present, making their eyes more susceptible to the effects of sunlight and artificial lighting. As a result, people with blue eyes may experience more discomfort or glare in bright environments, leading to a greater need for sunglasses or other forms of eye protection to reduce light sensitivity and maintain eye comfort.

How Bad of a Sensitivity to Light Is It?

Light sensitivity can vary from being a minor inconvenience to a sign of a more serious eye problem. If it’s not too bad, it might not affect your daily life much. People with lighter-colored eyes can usually manage by wearing sunglasses or using special lenses to help with light sensitivity.

But for some people with conditions like albinism, where there’s very little pigment in the eyes, light sensitivity can make it hard to do normal things like reading, using a computer, or even being outside on a sunny day.

Protecting Against UV Rays Is Vital

Sunglasses aren’t just for sunny days at the beach – you should wear them all year round. The sun’s rays can harm your eyes whenever you’re outside without protection.

Wearing sunglasses can help prevent various eye problems, like:
- Snow blindness This happens when sunlight reflects off surfaces like snow or water and burns your eyes. It can be painful but usually doesn’t cause long-term damage.
- Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) This eye condition can lead to vision loss as you age. Sun exposure can make it worse.
- Cataracts These are cloudy patches that can form in your eyes over time, making it hard to see. Sunlight can speed up their development.
- Eyelid skin cancer: Too much sun exposure can increase your risk of developing skin cancer on your eyelids.
When buying sunglasses, make sure they block UV rays – these are the harmful rays from the sun. It’s worth investing in good-quality sunglasses to protect and keep your eyes healthy.

Additional Reasons for Light Sensitivity
- Uveitis This is when the colored part of your eye (iris) gets inflamed. It can happen for different reasons like trauma or autoimmune diseases. Treatment usually involves using special eye drops with steroids.
- Corneal Conditions Problems with the outer layer of your eye (cornea) can also make you sensitive to light. These include dry eyes, scratches, or infections. If you have any of these symptoms along with light sensitivity, it’s important to see an eye doctor.
- Irregular Pupils Your pupils should get smaller in bright light to protect your eyes. But if they don’t work properly, you might feel more sensitive to light.
- Pupil Dilation Sometimes, eye doctors use drops to make your pupils bigger during an exam. This helps them see inside your eye better. After this, your eyes might be more sensitive to light for a few hours, especially if you have lighter-colored eyes.
- Post-Op After certain eye surgeries, like for cataracts, your eyes might be sensitive to light for a while. This is normal and usually gets better with time and medication.
There are many reasons why you might be sensitive to light, so it’s important to see a doctor if you’re having problems. At Milan Eye Center, we’re experienced in treating light sensitivity, so don’t hesitate to contact us if you need help.

Conclusion

In Conclusion, it’s important to protect your eyes from the sun because too much sunlight can damage them. Sunglasses that block harmful UV rays are essential, especially in bright sunlight or snowy conditions. Light sensitivity, which can vary in seriousness, can be managed with sunglasses or special lenses. However, if sensitivity persists, it could indicate underlying eye problems, so it’s crucial to see a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment. By taking these precautions and seeking help when needed, you can keep your eyes healthy and enjoy the sunshine safely.

Faq’s

Q1. Which eye color is most sensitive to light?

A1. People with light-colored eyes like green, hazel, or blue are more sensitive to light and can be more easily harmed by the sun’s rays because they have less pigment in their eyes.

Q2. Why are blue eyes so sensitive to light?

A2. Blue eyes have less pigment in the front layer of the iris, which makes them more sensitive to sunlight and bright lights compared to brown eyes which have more pigment to protect against bright lighting.

Q3. Can blue eyes see better in the dark?

A3. Research suggests that people with blue eyes might see better in dim conditions than those with brown eyes. This could be why blue eyes are more common in places like Northern Europe where it’s darker.

Q4. What is the rarest eye color?

A4. Green eyes are the rarest, with only about two percent of people worldwide having them. In the United States, green eyes are also the rarest.

Q5. What is the second rarest eye color?

A5. After green, hazel, or amber eyes are considered the next rarest. They show up in about 9% of Americans but only 2% of the global population.

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2025-09-11
Four step test to take your business to the next level post-covid from award winning CEO coach, Peter Ryding

Take ten minutes of your time to read and apply this four step test. You’ll need a piece of paper and a pen. Nice and simple. Then revamp your business offering post-covid and move forwards leading your team with absolute passion, drive and clarity.

Peter Ryding is the man that the global brands call in when they need a new change of direction. Maybe their strategies don’t match their goals, their staff are deflated or their bottom lines don’t match their dreams. Either way, using his wealth of experience both in business and psychological insights, he works to turn these companies around, inspiring entire teams as he does so. He speaks to Business Matters and shares a quick four step test that you can do in your lunch-break that can propel your company and mindset forwards in a positive way. Without further ado, over to Peter …

Common traits of successful entrepreneurs

When I was a VC with 3I, we did a lot of research into what differentiates entrepreneurs who’ve got their business to a small to medium size, and they wanted to take it to the next step – some failed, some succeeded and some did it two or three times over. When we looked at it, four things emerged as a common trait of entrepreneurs who made that transition vs. those that didn’t.
The first was what we called an outcome – this is having total clarity of the vision that you want. JFK famously said of NASA in 1960, we’re going to get a man to the moon and safely back again by the end of the decade. And then when Nixon went to Cape Canaveral in 1969 just before Apollo 13 took off, he came across a janitor and he asked him what he did. The janitor responded with: ‘I am part of the team that’s going to get a man safely to the moon and back by the end of the decade’.
Now that is an exciting mission to be part of. My personal view of a company vision and a purpose isn’t what it is, it’s how you express it. How do you take your organisation’s mission and value-add and transcribe it to empower employees who are going to be in charge of doing the job of raising profits for you?
Many years ago I did some work with KwikFit and at the time the guys who changed the exhausts and the tyres were called ‘grease monkeys’ by their managers. Hardly inspirational is it? So we changed the dialogue and said this: ‘do you realise that you have your clients lives in your hands? Literally. Because if you don’t do what you do properly wheels can come off and people could die. And all of a sudden it changed their mindset. So the first thing is to have a clearly defined outcome which is expressed in an inspiring way.
Grab your piece of paper …

Four step test part one:

Write: O – for outcome – do you think in your organisation right now you have an exciting vision or outcome?
Choose: very high, high, medium or low
Second thing we discovered was how much have you fired up your workforce and all of your stakeholders, your customers, your investors? So that they are passionate about going the extra mile for you to achieve your outcome? You must articulate what’s in it for them.

Four step test part two:

Write: D – for desire – to what extent in your organisation right now have you got this strong desire? Choose: very high, high, medium, low
Thirdly, how well have you defined a handful of critical things that will make all the difference. And this uses the greater rule of ’20% of what we do delivers 80% of the thing’. Now unfortunately in life and in business we tend to allocate 80% of our time on the stuff that doesn’t have much impact. So one thing that you can do and it’s something that I do as a turnaround coach, and it’s to help work out what are the 20% of all the things that will make all of the difference moving forwards.
This is so critical now because we’re in a post-crisis state and everyone needs to be totally clear what 20% will make all the difference post-covid and then find a way of focusing 80% of all their people/resources/capital/brain space onto those 20% of things. And it turns out it’s roundabout seven.
I’ve found, when talking to different board’s of companies, I always ask ‘what’s at the heart of your strategy?’ They either tend to say ‘Peter we focus on one thing alone, it’s customers’. And I say ‘OK, what about your shareholders, your employees, etc, etc’. It doesn’t work to just think about your customers, life isn’t that simple.
Other companies will say ‘Peter we’re really into strategy, we’ve got 23 key strategies let me tell you all about them.’ Hold up! 23 strategies!! That doesn’t work either. Scrap 23, scrap only 1, it turns out around around seven critical strategies work …

Four step test part three:

Write: I – for important – how well have you defined a handful of critical things in your business that will make all the difference when delivering 80% of the value. Keep re-evaluating this over time
Choose: very high, high, medium or low.
And lastly

Four step test part four:

T – for take action – to what extent have you actually got a planned path of action to follow? Is it clearly defined to enable everyone to understand where they fit on it. Your staff need to go home at the end of the week, not only having feedback from their manager on how well they’ve done, but also knowing how their everyday activities have connected to at least two of these (up to) seven critical things. Because if they do they go home and passionately tell their friends and family how proud they are. If they don’t, their job is just work.

Let’s crunch those numbers

So now hopefully you’ve got four letters and each of those should now be rated.
And now to turn this into a formula of success which is absolutely applicable for coming out of covid, convert each rating into a number as follows:
Very high = 3
High =2
Medium = 1
Low = 0
Don’t add them together, instead multiply them. so you could have scored 81
The fact that if you rated any of these answers at zero then your total score will of course be zero actually says a powerful amount about your weakest link, it doesn’t matter if your other answers were all good, your business will falter. If a chain is totally shiny and strong apart from one link, the whole thing fails.

How is a lower score positive?

Just reflect on that number, often people discover that they’ve got a very low total, sometimes between zero and twelve, that’s positive in a way because however successful your business is now, you’ve achieved that with a relatively low number. Well done! Imagine how well you could do moving forwards! If you can get your act together and move towards 81 that’s perfect timing.
Take stock, rate yourselves in those four categories, be really honest and formulate a new plan. Anywhere you have a zero, focus on that. Go for the lowest hanging fruit, gradually you’ll raise all the numbers and gradually you’ll get to 81.
Hop on to twitter and let us know how you scored and how you feel moving forwards @bizmattersmag

2025-08-23
How Long Does Laser Eye Surgery Take? – Health Cages
Introduction:

Laser eye surgery aims to improve vision by reshaping the cornea using a laser. There are different types of laser eye surgeries, such as LASIK, PRK, and SMILE, each taking a similar amount of time but employing different techniques. LASIK involves cutting a flap in the cornea, reshaping the tissue, and replacing the flap, typically taking less than 10 minutes per eye. PRK removes the top layers of the cornea to reshape the tissue, also taking around 10 minutes for both eyes. SMILE, a newer technique, shapes a disc in the deeper layers of the eye, which is then removed through a small incision, taking about 20 minutes for both eyes.

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After surgery, patients are advised to rest for about 4 hours to ease any discomfort. The following day, a quick check-up is conducted to ensure proper healing before resuming normal activities. Providence Eye offers consultations valid for a year, allowing patients ample time to decide if laser eye surgery is right for them without feeling pressured.

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What is Laser Eye Surgery?

Laser eye surgery helps you see better by fixing the shape of your eye’s front part, called the cornea. Think of the cornea as a window that lets light in. Sometimes, this window isn’t shaped quite right, so the light doesn’t focus properly, making things blurry. During the surgery, a fancy laser is used to gently reshape the cornea, so the light can focus better and you can see more clearly. But remember, there are different kinds of eye surgeries, not just laser ones. Some involve putting in new lenses or fixing the natural ones inside your eye to improve your vision.

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How Much Time Does Laser Eye Surgery Take?

When you’re getting laser eye surgery, you’ll spend about 2 hours at the clinic. During this time, the doctors will prepare you for the surgery by numbing your eye with special drops, getting you comfy in a reclining chair, and using a tool to keep your eyelids open.

One type of laser eye surgery is called LASIK. It involves cutting a flap in the top layers of your eye, reshaping the tissue underneath with a laser, and then putting the flap back. This whole process usually takes less than 10 minutes for each eye.

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Another type is PRK. With PRK, the top layers of your eye are removed so the laser can reshape the tissue underneath. This also takes around 10 minutes for both eyes.

There’s also a newer type called SMILE. With SMILE, instead of cutting a flap, the laser shapes a disc in the deeper layers of your eye, which is then taken out through a small incision. This whole procedure takes about 20 minutes for both eyes.

So, even though there are different types of laser eye surgery, they all take a similar amount of time and are done to help you see better.

How Much Time Does Laser Eye Surgery Recover?

After your laser eye surgery at Providence Eye, Dr. Mozayeni advises you to go home and take a long nap for about 4 hours. This helps ease any mild burning or itching you might feel after the surgery. When you wake up, you’ll likely feel better and notice an improvement in your vision. It’s a good idea to relax and take things easy for the rest of the day.

The next morning, you’ll have a quick 15-minute appointment with Dr. Mozayeni to check how your eyes are healing. If everything looks good, he’ll permit you to drive and resume most of your normal activities.

Your consultation at Providence Eye is valid for a year. If you’re ready, you can schedule your surgery for the same week as your consultation. But if you need more time to think it over, that’s okay too. Providence Eye won’t pressure you into making a decision. They understand it’s a personal choice, and they’re there to answer all your questions whenever you’re ready.

Conclusion

At Providence Eye, you can have a consultation to talk about getting laser eye surgery. This consultation is good for a year, so you have plenty of time to decide if you want the surgery.

During the consultation, you can ask any questions you have and get all the information you need to make the right decision for you. If you’re ready to go ahead with the surgery, you can even schedule it for the same week as your consultation.

But if you need more time to think about it, that’s okay too. Providence Eye won’t pressure you into getting the surgery. They understand it’s a big decision, and they’re there to help you every step of the way.

Faq’s

Q1. How long is the process of laser eye surgery?

A1. It takes around 30 minutes to perform the procedure. However, we usually recommend that patients allow at least four hours for preparation and recovery.

Q2. Is laser eye surgery painful?

A2. In most cases, laser eye surgery is painless. Before the procedure, your surgeon will give you special eye drops to numb your eye. This means you might feel a bit of pressure during the surgery but won’t feel any pain.

Q3. How long does it take to laser one eye?

A3. Depending on the complexity of your prescription, laser eye surgery can take from a few seconds to two minutes, but you will be in and out of the theatre in less than 30 minutes.

Q4. How long is the period for eye laser surgery?

A4. Laser eye surgery involves a few different techniques, though the duration of each operation does not vary greatly. For any type of laser eye surgery, you should allow up to two hours for the procedure to be performed.

Q5. Can I use my phone after LASIK?

A5. LASIK surgery patients can use their phones after surgery, but limiting screen time is recommended initially. Staring at screens for extended periods can cause eye strain and dryness, which can delay healing. Limit screen time after LASIK surgery: Although using your phone after LASIK surgery is generally safe, it’s recommended to limit screen time initially.

Your eyes deserve the best care. Get in-depth eye health info on our blog:
2025-08-22
Startup advice for 2017

Sarah Loates, who founded her own highly successful Loates Business Solutions after two decades climbing the corporate ladder, gives her advice to businesses just starting out.
Whatever the reason behind deciding to start up a company, there are some things that are always going to be important. Going it alone does feel like a huge, brave leap in the dark; after all, for many of us, you’re turning your back on the safety of an existing business and believing in your own instincts to make it out there. But with the right attitude, plenty of drive and planning, the huge feeling of satisfaction in making a success of your own business idea is a true reward in itself. There will be plenty of pitfalls along the way, but here is how to avoid some of them.

Believe in yourself

It is very, very hard to be successful in business without a large degree of honesty. Before you start, it is vital to have a good look at yourself, your ideas and your strengths, and work out what it is that you personally are best at doing. Examine your offering from every angle and make sure you’re happy with your business plan, because when you start, you will need enormous amounts of self-belief to convince others that your fledgling company is worth buying into and from. To that end, price your services fairly – don’t think that massively underselling yourself will help you get off the ground; it will simply make it much harder to put your prices up to a reasonable level when you need to.
When it comes to your involvement in your own business, work out where you add most value and try to spend as much time as possible doing that. Understand you can’t do everything your business needs, and delegate everything else.
When planning your business at the outset, be clear on your vision and your USP. In our case at Loates, we’re all about long-term relationships and personal service. Whatever it is you want to do differently from other companies in your field, don’t lose sight of it. As your business progresses, always know where you’re going. You will find this really helps make decisions, as you will be able to consider whether they move you towards or away from your planned objective.

Get your tech right

Efficiency is vital in a start-up. Everything takes so much longer at first that you don’t want to be wasting time on things that could be done quickly. Look around carefully for the best, time-saving IT systems for you, plus reliable support for those services. Also invest time in making sure you have effective financial processes in place. These are areas where you really don’t want to mess up.

Don’t burn out

A lot of people who set up their own business exhaust themselves by trying to do everything and burning the candle at both ends. It may be tempting in the short-term to think that working flat-out is the way to succeed, but you must remember that you are in business for the long-term. Pace yourself. Don’t be afraid to take holidays when you need them. Manage your energy on the right things and try to work on a ratio of finding 80 per cent benefit from 20 per cent effort.
When it comes to your energy levels, you will find that recruiting the right team is absolutely key. You have a business plan so communicate it clearly to whoever you are interviewing for any job. If they buy into it, they will work much better for you than just doing as you say without any conviction.

Think ahead

The demands of the day-to-day will always be pressing. But you ignore the future at your peril. As the business unfolds you will see what your long-term problems may be so try to think of contingency plans in case these materialise. Hope for the best; plan for the worst.
Following on from that, it is very important to allow some time for strategic thinking. Take some time out from the everyday for your long-term “eating an elephant” tasks. You will know the ones. The big things that you mean to get on top of, but somehow life gets in the way. Don’t let it. It’s your business, after all.

Treat people well

The image of the nasty business leader stepping on people on their way to the top is truly a thing of the past. Make good use of all your network of contacts and build relationships. Treat people well, play the long game and sales will follow. At Loates, the majority of new business is from personal recommendations and the majority of our clients are long-standing ones who repeatedly use our services. Go to networking events but treat them as building relationships, rather than making sales. People these days are generally wise to the “hard sell” and don’t go for it, and if you go down this route you may just come across as desperate.

Develop critical listening skills

It is vital to listen carefully to clients when they tell you what they want. But when listening, also ask questions so you can try to understand what their business objective is, rather than simply rushing to implement the solution that they’re asking you for. You know the marketplace, and there may be a better way to achieve the thing that they need, and you will impress by making different suggestions that show you really know what you’re talking about. One of my first questions to any client is always: “What are you actually trying to achieve?”

Be decisive

There is no room for dithering in business. You must be decisive. My rule of thumb is that a timely decision is better than a “perfect” one. That doesn’t mean that you must rush into things. A decision not to act is still a decision.

Think creatively

Don’t be afraid to try new ideas, but measure their effectiveness so that you know when they’re not working. Remember the vision of your company and test any new ideas to check they comply with your main plan. Being creative doesn’t mean being wacky for the sake of it. If your new idea isn’t working, take corrective action sooner rather than later. You should never be too proud to admit when your idea – which might have looked great on paper – simply didn’t work.
In summary, be passionate, work hard, take time off, and find satisfaction in what you do. Running your own business is a great thing. I haven’t looked back since I set up mine.

2024-12-18