At Light Years, we believe that inspiration can come from anywhere. Through Light Years Likes, we’ll be sharing a weekly round-up of our team’s favourite picks ranging from music, apps, design, podcasts, shows, events, article and more – providing a little insight into who we are and the way we think.
In this week’s edition, we learn about a social distancing robot, inclusivity for all and why the GOAT is the greatest.
1. Spot the social distancing robodog
This week, the National Parks Board (NParks) and the Smart Nation and Digital Government Group piloted the a social distancing “robodog” called Spot at the Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park. Its role? Politely ask joggers and cyclists to stay apart and keep to safe distancing measures. In addition, Spot is fitted with cameras and analytics tools to estimate the number of people in the park. According to authorities, these cameras will not be able to track or recognise specific individuals, and no personal data will be collected. The robot, controlled remotely, reduces the manpower required for park patrols and minimises physical contact among staff members, volunteer safe distancing ambassadors and park visitors. Dystopian as it is – some people have pointed out the scary similarities between Spot and a robodog in a Black Mirror episode – we can certainly see it being a useful tool.
2. True Colors Festival and inclusivity for all
Did you know that 15% of the world’s population are people with disabilities? That’s more than 1 billion people. This makes people with disabilities the largest minority community in the world. Much more needs to be done to ensure they have access to education and employment. We’re fortunate to be working with True Colors Festival (supported by The Nippon Foundation) to spotlight the unique challenges that people with disabilities face and how these issues have intensified since COVID-19 hit. If you believe in equality for all, please follow @TrueColors2020 on Instagram and Facebook for ideas and issues you can get behind.
3. “The Antidote” section on The Guardian
If you love to read but hate COVID-19, and more so, dread reading about the pandemic, then you must bookmark “The Antidote” section of The Guardian. Its tagline, “Your five favourite reads that have nothing to do with coronavirus”, is music to our ears, proving that not every news story that has gone viral is necessarily a good thing these days.
4. The Last Dance
The Last Dance is a documentary now streaming on Netflix about the legendary basketball player, Michael Jordan. You’re not a basketball or Jordan fan, so why should you care, you ask? Well, for one this doc makes for excellent entertainment. It’s pacy, at times frenetic, and is a major throwback to the ’90s – remember Carmen Electra? More importantly, it helps to contextualise the “Greatest Of All Time” (or, GOAT) status that Jordan has been given and does plenty to explain, for example, why someone would spend US$560,000 on vintage Air Jordan shoes.
Featured image: Nuccio DiNuzzo/Chicago Tribune/TNS via CBS Sports