text:
float M5DUDistanceAtBestAngle(M5DrawingStroke *inputPoints, M5DrawingStroke *matchPoints) {
	float minAngleRange = M5DUDegreesToRadians(-M5DUGoldenRatioAngleLeniency);
	float maxAngleRange = M5DUDegreesToRadians(M5DUGoldenRatioAngleLeniency);

	float x1 = M5DUGoldenRatio * minAngleRange + (1.0 - M5DUGoldenRatio) * maxAngleRange;
	float f1 = M5DUDistanceAtAngle(inputPoints, matchPoints, x1);
	float x2 = (1.0 - M5DUGoldenRatio) * minAngleRange + M5DUGoldenRatio * maxAngleRange;
	float f2 = M5DUDistanceAtAngle(inputPoints, matchPoints, x2);
	while (abs(maxAngleRange - minAngleRange) > M5DUDegreesToRadians(M5DUGoldenRatioDegreeConstant)) {
		if (f1 < f2) {
			maxAngleRange = x2;
			x2 = x1;
			f2 = f1;
			x1 = M5DUGoldenRatio * minAngleRange + (1.0 - M5DUGoldenRatio) * maxAngleRange;
			f1 = M5DUDistanceAtAngle(inputPoints, matchPoints, x1);
		}
		else {
			minAngleRange = x1;
			x1 = x2;
			f1 = f2;
			x2 = (1.0 - M5DUGoldenRatio) * minAngleRange + M5DUGoldenRatio * maxAngleRange;
			f2 = M5DUDistanceAtAngle(inputPoints, matchPoints, x2);
		}
	}

	return MIN(f1, f2);
}

NSMutableArray *M5DUHeapPermute(int count, NSMutableArray *order, NSMutableArray *newOrders) {
	if (count == 1) {
		[newOrders addObject:order.copy];
	}
	else {
		for (int i = 0; i < count; i++) {
			M5DUHeapPermute(count - 1, order, newOrders);
			int last = [order[(count - 1)] intValue];
			if (count % 2 == 1) {
				int first = [order[0] intValue];
				order[0] = @(last);
				order[(count - 1)] = @(first);
			}
			else {
				int next = [order[i] intValue];
				order[i] = @(last);
				order[(count - 1)] = @(next);
			}
		}
	}

	return newOrders;
}

NSMutableArray *M5DUMakeUnistrokes(NSMutableArray *strokes, NSMutableArray *orders) {
	NSMutableArray *unistrokes = NSMutableArray.new;
	for (int r = 0; r < orders.count; r++) {
		NSMutableArray *strokeOrder = orders[r];

		for (int b = 0; b < pow(2, strokeOrder.count); b++) {
			M5DrawingStroke *unistroke = M5DrawingStroke.new;

			for (int i = 0; i < strokeOrder.count; i++) {
				int strokeIndex = [strokeOrder[i] intValue];
				M5DrawingStroke *stroke = strokes[strokeIndex];

				NSMutableArray *copyOfStrokePoints = stroke.points.mutableCopy;

				NSArray *points;
				if (((b >> i) & 1) == 1) {
					points = copyOfStrokePoints.reverseObjectEnumerator.allObjects;
				}
				else {
					points = copyOfStrokePoints;
				}

				for (int p = 0; p < points.count; p++) {
					[unistroke addPoint:points[p]];
				}
			}

			[unistrokes addObject:unistroke];
		}
	}

	return unistrokes;
}

M5DrawingStroke *M5DURotateBy(M5DrawingStroke *points, float radians) {
	M5DrawingPoint *centroid = M5DUCentroid(points);
	float cosValue = cosf(radians);
	float sinValue = sinf(radians);

	M5DrawingStroke *rotatedPoints = M5DrawingStroke.new;
	for (int i = 0; i < points.pointCount; i++) {
		M5DrawingPoint *point = [points pointAtIndex:i];
		float rotatedX = (point.x - centroid.x) * cosValue - (point.y - centroid.y) * sinValue + centroid.x;
		float rotatedY = (point.x - centroid.x) * sinValue + (point.y - centroid.y) * cosValue + centroid.y;

		[rotatedPoints addPoint:[[M5DrawingPoint alloc] initWithX:rotatedX andY:rotatedY andStrokeId:point.strokeId]];
	}

	return rotatedPoints;
}

M5DrawingStroke *M5DUResample(M5DrawingStroke *points) {
	M5DrawingStroke *currentPoints = points.copy;
	M5DrawingStroke *newPoints = M5DrawingStroke.new;
	[newPoints addPoint:[points pointAtIndex:0]];

	float newPointDistance = M5DUPathLength(points) / (M5DUResampledStrokePointCount - 1);
	float initialDistance = 0.0;

	for (int i = 1; i < currentPoints.pointCount; i++) {
		M5DrawingPoint *point1 = [currentPoints pointAtIndex:(i - 1)];
		M5DrawingPoint *point2 = [currentPoints pointAtIndex:i];
		float d = M5DUDistance(point1, point2);

		if ((initialDistance + d) > newPointDistance) {
			float x = point1.x + ((newPointDistance - initialDistance) / d) * (point2.x - point1.x);
			float y = point1.y + ((newPointDistance - initialDistance) / d) * (point2.y - point1.y);

			M5DrawingPoint *newPoint = [[M5DrawingPoint alloc] initWithX:x andY:y andStrokeId:point1.strokeId];
			[newPoints addPoint:newPoint];

			[currentPoints insertPoint:newPoint atIndex:i];

			initialDistance = 0.0;
		}
		else {
			initialDistance += d;
		}
	}

	if (newPoints.pointCount < M5DUResampledStrokePointCount) {
		M5DrawingPoint *lastPoint = [points pointAtIndex:points.pointCount - 1];
		for (int j = 0; j < (M5DUResampledStrokePointCount - newPoints.pointCount); j++) {
			[newPoints addPoint:lastPoint.copy];
		}
	}

	return newPoints;
}

M5DrawingStroke *M5DUScale(M5DrawingStroke *points) {
	CGRect currentBox = M5DUBoundingBox(points);
	BOOL isLine = MIN(currentBox.size.width / currentBox.size.height, currentBox.size.height / currentBox.size.width) <= M5DUScaleLeniency;

	M5DrawingStroke *scaled = M5DrawingStroke.new;
	for (M5DrawingPoint *point in points.points) {
		float scale;
		float scaledX;
		float scaledY;
		if (isLine) {
			scale = (M5DUBoundingBoxSize / MAX(currentBox.size.width, currentBox.size.height));
			scaledX = point.x * scale;
			scaledY = point.y * scale;
		}
		else {
			scaledX = point.x * (M5DUBoundingBoxSize / currentBox.size.width);
			scaledY = point.y * (M5DUBoundingBoxSize / currentBox.size.height);
		}

		[scaled addPoint:[[M5DrawingPoint alloc] initWithX:scaledX andY:scaledY andStrokeId:point.strokeId]];
	}

	return scaled;
}

M5DrawingStroke *M5DUTranslateToOrigin(M5DrawingStroke *points) {
	M5DrawingPoint *centroid = M5DUCentroid(points);
	M5DrawingStroke *translated = M5DrawingStroke.new;

	for (int i = 0; i < points.pointCount; i++) {
		M5DrawingPoint *point = [points pointAtIndex:i];
		float translatedX = point.x - centroid.x;
		float translatedY = point.y - centroid.y;
		[translated addPoint:[[M5DrawingPoint alloc] initWithX:translatedX andY:translatedY andStrokeId:point.strokeId]];
	}

	return translated;
}

float M5DUAngleBetweenUnitVectors(M5DrawingPoint *unitVector1, M5DrawingPoint *unitVector2) {
	float angle = (unitVector1.x * unitVector2.x + unitVector1.y * unitVector2.y);
	if (angle < -1.0 || angle > 1.0) {
		angle = M5DURoundToDigits(angle, 5);
	}

	return acos(angle);
}

float M5DUPathDistance(M5DrawingStroke *points1, M5DrawingStroke *points2) {
	float distance = 0.0;
	for (int i = 0; i < points1.pointCount && i < points2.pointCount; i++) {
		distance += M5DUDistance([points1 pointAtIndex:i], [points2 pointAtIndex:i]);
	}

	return distance / points1.pointCount;
}

M5DrawingPoint *M5DUCalcStartUnitVector(M5DrawingStroke *points) {
	int endPointIndex = M5DUStartVectorDelay + M5DUStartVectorLength;
	M5DrawingPoint *pointAtIndex = [points pointAtIndex:endPointIndex];
	M5DrawingPoint *firstPoint = [points pointAtIndex:M5DUStartVectorDelay];

	M5DrawingPoint *unitVector = [[M5DrawingPoint alloc] initWithX:pointAtIndex.x - firstPoint.x andY:pointAtIndex.y - firstPoint.y andStrokeId:0];
	float magnitude = sqrtf(unitVector.x * unitVector.x + unitVector.y * unitVector.y);

	return [[M5DrawingPoint alloc] initWithX:unitVector.x / magnitude andY:unitVector.y / magnitude andStrokeId:0];
}

CGRect M5DUBoundingBox(M5DrawingStroke *points) {
	float minX = FLT_MAX;
	float maxX = -FLT_MAX;
	float minY = FLT_MAX;
	float maxY = -FLT_MAX;

	for (M5DrawingPoint *point in points.points) {
		if (point.x < minX) {
			minX = point.x;
		}

		if (point.y < minY) {
			minY = point.y;
		}

		if (point.x > maxX) {
			maxX = point.x;
		}

		if (point.y > maxY) {
			maxY = point.y;
		}
	}

	return CGRectMake(minX, minY, (maxX - minX), (maxY - minY));
}

float M5DUDistanceAtAngle(M5DrawingStroke *recognizingPoints, M5DrawingStroke *matchPoints, float radians) {
	M5DrawingStroke *newPoints = M5DURotateBy(recognizingPoints, radians);
	return M5DUPathDistance(newPoints, matchPoints);
}

float M5DURoundToDigits(float number, int decimals) {
	decimals = pow(10, decimals);
	return round(number * decimals) / decimals;
}

float M5DUDegreesToRadians(float degrees) {
	return degrees * M_PI / 180.0;
}

float M5DURadiansToDegrees(float radians) {
	return radians * 180.0 / M_PI;
}

float M5DUPathLength(M5DrawingStroke *points) {
	float distance = 0.0;
	for (int i = 1; i < points.pointCount; i++) {
		M5DrawingPoint *point1 = [points pointAtIndex:(i - 1)];
		M5DrawingPoint *point2 = [points pointAtIndex:i];
		distance += M5DUDistance(point1, point2);
	}

	return distance;
}

float M5DUDistance(M5DrawingPoint *point1, M5DrawingPoint *point2) {
	int xDiff = point2.x - point1.x;
	int yDiff = point2.y - point1.y;
	float dist = sqrt(xDiff * xDiff + yDiff * yDiff);
	return dist;
}

M5DrawingPoint *M5DUCentroid(M5DrawingStroke *points) {
	float x = 0.0;
	float y = 0.0;
	for (M5DrawingPoint *point in points.points) {
		x += point.x;
		y += point.y;
	}

	x /= points.pointCount;
	y /= points.pointCount;

	return [[M5DrawingPoint alloc] initWithX:x andY:y andStrokeId:0];
}

#pragma mark -


Create an original and beautiful bracelet with fishing tackle (snap swivels), e-beads, head pins, and a toggle clasp connector. Light and delicate looking, easy to make, lovely to wear. No one will believe how easy it is to make.
Open a snap swivel and thread different colors of e-beads onto the hook to fill one side of the wire. You may need to straighten the wire slightly to allow the beads to go onto the wire.
Thread the loop end of the next snap swivel onto the open wire of the first swivel. Continue to add e-beads to almost fill the wire.
Using small needle nosed pliers carefully rebend anything that you straightened and close the wire.
Repeat on 4 snap swivels. On the 5th snap swivel thread one end of the toggle clasp in between the e-beads. Close wire.
Attach other side of toggle clasp to the other end of the snap swivel chain you just created using the small jump ring.
Next thread one e-bead onto a head pin, followed by one antique silver metal bead, followed by 3 more e-beads.
Thread head pin through top loop of the swivel and bend over. Twist at top of bead stack to secure.
Repeat adding beaded head pins to all 5 snap swivels.
Note: It may take a little practice to learn how to close the snap swivels after threading the beads.


Contest Directions: February 2 is Groundhog Day celebrated in the USA and Canada. It is believed that on this day, if a groundhog emerges from its burrow and sees its shadow, the winter will continue for six more weeks; otherwise the winter will end soon. The National Climatic Data Center reported that the prediction accuracy rate is higher than for most weather forecasters.
To celebrate Groundhog Day at Freaking News, show how life would be different if groundhogs ruled the world. PLEASE NOTE: LIMIT 3 ENTRIES PER PLAYER. Here's a good Example 1 by Hitspinner and Example 2 by LunaC. Many thanks to Hitspinner for the themepost.
Fantastic, works well, they're so cute, hope they don't get caught.
Congrats on the Gold, Fugit! Brilliant Work!
Looks Good, but why is he all gray?
Congrats on the Silver, MR.A! Super Job!
Congrats on the win, he is a good one, waiting for that Loan and he can Keep the Blood!
Congrats on the Bronze, Mano! Chopping Excellence!
No wonder he's afraid of his own shadow.
Congrats on the win, good one and I hope I never see that shadow.
Getting his New Crew of Groundhogs and Beaver to Build The Wall!


text:
HomeBrexit
Data protection: UK wants its own legislation after Brexit
Europeans24 Sunday, August 29, 2021
Banners requesting approval to gather cookies might be phased out in the UK, as they are regarded too onerous for consumers and companies. If the regulatory gap becomes too great, the EU may reconsider its data-sharing deal.
[Data Center]
The UK wants to be free of EU data protection laws after Brexit. The Minister of Culture, Oliver Dowden, published the outline of a reform in the "Telegraph" on Thursday, which could lead to a growing divergence between UK law and the European Union's general data protection rules (RGPD), which have been in effect since 2018, and whose goal is to give users control over the collection of their data.
Oliver Dowden, in typical 'Brexit' hyperbole, described this endeavor as one of the 'major benefits' of 'Leave,' citing the EU legislation as having resulted in 'a lot of needless bureaucracy and checkboxes.' He criticizes the restrictions that small enterprises face. He says, "You can't expect the same from a small family business and a massive social network."
Collecting cookies
The minister proposes that banners asking for authorisation to gather cookies, which display when a website is loaded, be removed from the UK. The British government wants a regime that is "even more ambitious, favorable to growth and innovation, but which is always supported by reliable standards of protection of private life" without specifying what would replace this rationale. In light of this, the ministry has initiated a dialogue with experts.
The UK is addressing a topic that is close to users by changing its data protection regulations. Tech firms are aware of this danger and seek a structure that protects them. "The public must have faith in this new path," said Matthew Evans, director of marketing at TechUK. "We applaud the government's commitment to high protection standards as well as the technical assessment."
The European Commission will closely monitor the change, concerned that the UK does not establish a kind of unfair competition at Europe's borders. Data problems have been at the center of the Brexit debates, crystallizing this anxiety.
London received an equivalency agreement with the EU at the end of June, which is critical for data sharing between firms in various countries. Navigation, messaging, and online banking services would have had to bear significantly higher prices if there had been no such agreement. If the temptation of British deregulation becomes too strong, the EU has warned that this agreement may be called into question. Only data submitted by countries with regulations that European services deem "adequate" can be transmitted to the EU.
Meanwhile, the UK has declared its desire to establish sharing arrangements with other nations, including the US, Australia, and South Korea. John Edwards, the new data protection commissioner, will be in charge of assisting these initiatives.
Tags Brexit Data Protection Europe UK

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


The Elan Exar Vidia eats up the piste from greens to blacks! With a traditional camber shape these skis give confidence boosting edge grip wherever you take them. The core of the ski is the most important part of the ski in ensuring that pressure is sent to the edges quickly and efficiently and the Express technology does just that.


Okay, let's face it, virtually none of us were born with her looks or her brows, but we can all dream a little. As one of the hottest models in the industry right now, Cara Delevingne's brows are certainly brag worthy and enviable. Not only are they dark and full, but they are perfectly shaped as well. No matter what size, color, or shape of brow you have, you can get brows that look similar to Miss Cara's without actually having to be her. Sound too good to be true? Read on to learn more.
One of the best things about Cara's brows are the fact that they are dark and contrast against her blonde hair. Luckily, Dr. Fiona Wright offers patient s the ability to get their brows tinted a darker shade. Not only will brow tinting save you the headache of having to find the perfect shade to fill in your brows but brow tinting will also typically make your eyebrows look a bit more voluminous as well. And the best part is that brow tinting typically lasts about 6-8 weeks which means that you will only have to get them redone every few months.
Although you may look at Cara's brows and think that they are hardly shaped because they are so thick, there are no stragglers lurking around and they still have some sort of shape to them. In order to get the best shape possible, consider getting your eyebrows waxed. Not only is waxing quick and easy, but it lasts for a while too.
Although having your eyebrows professionally tinted by our office will help to give off a more voluminous look, they will still need to be filled in a little bit with a brow pencil or powder. When looking for the perfect shade, ask Dr. Fiona Wright to help you to pick a shade that will match your newly tinted brows because you will want the pencil to blend in with them.
Although you may not be a model like Miss Cara Delevingne, you can still have her eyebrows. By using the tips above, you can help to get thicker looking eyebrows in no time. To learn more, contact Dr. Fiona Wright's office today!


text:
Tue 4 Mar 1930
30,000 SIGNATURES.
An illuminated address containing the signatures of 30,000 employees in the railways and tramways was recently presented to Mr. James Fraser, former Chief Railway
Tue 4 Mar 1930 - The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954)
Page 12 - 30,000 SIGNATURES.
ILLUMINATED ADDRESS.
PRESENTED TO MR. JAMES
FRASER.
An illuminated address containing the sig-
natures of 30,000 employees in the railways
and tramways was recently presented to Mr.
James Fraser, former Chief Railway Commis-
sioner. The signatures are contained in four
leather-bound volumes, and represent all
grades of the service.
A committee, comprising a representative
from each branch of the department, waited
upon the ex-chief at his home, and the pre-
sentation was made by Mr. W. Farrow, super-
visor of the City Railway, who has been as-
sociated with Mr. Fraser since the early days
of his career. Mr. Farrow congratulated Mr.
Fraser on having completed over 50 years'
service to the State in the railways, the last
15 years having been in the position of Com-
missioner. Instances showing Mr. Fraser's
energy and enthusiasm, and his kindly guid-
ance and assistance to all members of the
staff, were quoted by Mr. Farrow, who said
that he had done much to develop a spirit
of co-operation. Keen regret at Mr. Fraser's
retirement was felt, and it was hoped that
he would enjoy many years of health and
In responding, Mr. Fraser expressed his ap-
preciation of the address, which he thought,
was unique in railway history, perhaps
throughout the world but certainly in Aus-
tralia. He would treasure it as highly as any
other honour which he had received, and re-
gretted that he did not feel equal to attending
a public meeting as was suggested. An ad-
dress, containing 30,000 signatures of the staff
of the greatest individual organisation in Aus-
tralia, was one of which he might well be
proud, and he desired that his most sincere
thanks and appreciation be conveyed to all
the signatories.
30,000 SIGNATURES. (1930, March 4). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 12. Retrieved January 23, 2020, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16630442
"30,000 SIGNATURES." The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954) 4 March 1930: 12. Web. 23 Jan 2020 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16630442>.
1930 '30,000 SIGNATURES.', The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), 4 March, p. 12. , viewed 23 Jan 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16630442
{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16630442 |title=30,000 SIGNATURES. |newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=4 March 1930 |access-date=23 January 2020 |page=12 |via=Trove }}
The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), Tue 4 Mar 1930, Page 12 - 30,000 SIGNATURES.


text:
Fun Facts About the Human Perception of Sound
8 Loudest Bluetooth Speakers – Comparison Table
Max SPL (Loudness) Comparison Table
Things You Should Know About Speaker Loudness
What Determines the Loudness of a Speaker?
1. Loudest Portable Bluetooth Speaker – NEW SOUNDBOKS
2. Loudest Party Speaker with Lights – JBL PartyBox 300
3. Loudest Bluetooth Speaker Under $300 – Aiwa Exos-9
4. Loudest Bose Bluetooth Speaker – Bose S1 Pro
5. Loudest Bluetooth Speaker for Tailgating – ION Audio Tailgater iPA77
6. Loudest Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker – JBL Boombox
7. Loudest Multiroom Bluetooth Speaker – Bose SoundTouch 30
8. Loudest Bluetooth Speaker for Indoor Use – Marshall Woburn II
How is Loudness Measured?
Certain events, like parties and other group gatherings (both indoor and outdoor), require and depend heavily on the speaker quality and loudness. You can't throw a large party without a big and powerful speaker (or speakers). That is simply unacceptable.
Today, we are here to help you get a better understanding of all the specs related to speaker loudness and to present to you our selection of the biggest, most powerful, and loudest Bluetooth speakers in 2021. We may also give you a few tips on what to look for and what to pay attention to when looking for a loud Bluetooth speaker. Ready? Let's go.
Fact 1: The human ear is a very complex and very sensitive organ. The smallest change in loudness (aka SPL or Sound Pressure Level) an average ear can perceive is 1dB.
Fact 2: A seemingly small change in loudness/SPL can be perceived as significant by the human ear. For example, a 10dB change is perceived as twice as loud. So, if one speaker can reach the max SPL of 127dB, and the other goes only to 112dB, the difference in perceived loudness between the two is really big (the first one is perceived as more than twice as loud).
Fact 3: The difference between dangerous and acceptable loudness (aka SPL or sound pressure level) is actually very small and subtle. For example, exposure to 90dB SPL for more than 8 hours/day can already cause noise-induced hearing loss. 90dB is the average noise that a lawnmower produces. If the noise level (SPL) increases by only 10dB (to 100dB), the max allowed exposure time is only 2h/day. Anything longer than that will, in the long run, cause some damage.
If the noise level is 110dB, acceptable exposure time is less than half an hour. Just to put it into perspective for you – 70dB is the average SPL of a vacuum cleaner and the noise created by an alarm clock is rated at 80dB. So, even a speaker that plays at 80dB SPL can hardly be considered quiet (unless you already have some kind of hearing damage).
Fact 4: 120dB of noise is, by many authors and scientists, considered the threshold of pain, and any sound louder than 120dB can cause immediate damage. So, 120dB can be considered dangerously loud. Having in mind Fact 2, 120dB noise is 32x louder than a normal speech (approx. 70dB).
Loudest Bluetooth Speakers
THE NEW SOUNDBOKS 4.5 Check Amazon Read Review
JBL PartyBox 300 4.7 Check Amazon
Check JBL Read Review
Aiwa Exos-9 4.7 Check Amazon
Check Walmart Read Review
Bose S1 Pro 4.7 Check Amazon
Check Bose Read Review
ION Audio Tailgater iPA77 4.4 Check Amazon
JBL Boombox 4.8 Check Amazon
Bose SoundTouch 30 4.6 Check Amazon Read Review
Marshall Woburn II 4.7 Check Amazon
Check Marshall Read Review
Max SPL
Playtime (at 50% volume)
THE NEW SOUNDBOKS 126dB Up to 40 hours
JBL PartyBox 300 107dB Up to 18 hours
Aiwa Exos-9 105dB Up to 9 hours
Bose S1 Pro 103dB Up to 11 hours
ION Audio Tailgater (iPA77) 101dB Up to 35 hours
JBL Boombox 104dB Up to 24 hours
Bose SoundTouch 30 102dB No battery/Not portable
Marshall Woburn II 110dB No battery/Not portable
There are a few important things to know about speaker loudness before you start your search. These things can help you find the biggest, toughest, and loudest Bluetooth speaker.
To simplify things, two characteristics you can usually find in the specs list determine the max SPL of a speaker and can tell you how loud a speaker can be at max volume. The first one is the sensitivity (usually measured in dB at 1m distance while only 1W of power is supplied). The second one is the power rating (peak power output, to be more specific). The power output is measured in Watts (W). When you know these two values, you can tell how loud a speaker can be. You just need to know one more rule – when the power doubles, the SPL level increases by 3dB.
Example: Assuming that a speaker has 88dB sensitivity (at 1m/1W) and the peak power output is 250W, the max SPL (when standing 1m away from the speaker) is 112dB. How? Supplying 1W of power created 88dB, 2W creates 91dB, 4W creates 94dB, 8W→97dB, 16W→100dB, 32W→103dB, 64W→106dB, 128W→109dB, 256W→112dB.
During the past few months, we've come across quite a few large and powerful Bluetooth speakers. For the purposes of this article, we gathered them all, tested them, compared them, and even did some measuring on our own (although we don't really have the best conditions to perform the measuring and get perfectly accurate results). Finally, we came up with the following selection of 8 loudest Bluetooth speakers in 2021.
NEW SOUNDBOKS is our top recommendation and it's the loudest portable Bluetooth speaker on the market. It's also one of the biggest Bluetooth speakers and the most powerful Bluetooth speakers you can find. NEW SOUNDBOKS is a perfect choice for both indoor and outdoor use, especially for parties. It can also be used as a PA system.
This is the third version of the highly praised SOUNDBOKS speaker line. The manufacturer kept all the great features of the previous two SOUNDBOKS speakers (powerful battery, durable and rugged design), improved some things that were already very good (Bluetooth connection, sound signature, loudness), and added a few new features (wireless/wired daisy-chaining, mic inputs, app).
Just like the SOUNDBOKS 1 and 2, the NEW SOUNDBOKS has the same shape and rugged design. The corner balls are now made of silicone (the SOUNDBOKS 2 had aluminum balls), which improves the impact absorption and lowers the vibrations. The speaker also has an aluminum frame protecting all the edges and a thick removable grille with big honeycomb perforations protecting the drivers. You can also paint the grille or remove the SOUNDBOKS logo from it.
The speaker houses a large battery compartment on the left side. The battery (also called the BATTERYBOKS 2) is removable/replaceable and rechargeable. You can buy as many batteries as you want and never stop partying. One battery will provide 40h at moderate volumes (or 5h at max volume).
On the right side of the speaker, there's a new control panel that looks very similar to the old one but has one additional button. Aside from the large volume dial and power button, there's the HOST button for wireless daisy-chaining (allows you to pair multiple NEW SOUNDBOKS speakers together).
On the back, you have an additional compartment with 4 analog inputs/outputs – one AUX input (for connecting non-Bluetooth sources), one AUX OUT (for connecting any two SOUNDBOKS speakers), and two combo XLR/6.35mm inputs (for connecting mixer, mic, or any other device featuring ¼-in connection).
The speaker features Bluetooth 5.0 for connecting Bluetooth devices and music streaming. The connection is perfectly stable within the 100ft range. The unit doesn't use Bluetooth for wireless daisy-chaining. Instead, it uses a proprietary SKAA connection. This connection allows you to pair up to 5 NEW SOUNDBOKS speakers together.
Probably the greatest change, compared to the previous two SOUNDBOKS speakers, is in the driver arrangement and design. Consequently, these changes brought us a completely new, more refined sound signature, with a much better balance. The unit houses two large 10in woofers and one compression driver tweeter. Instead of front-firing bass reflex ports, the new SOUNDBOKS speaker has a large pulse reflex port (it's basically a hole going through the speaker).
The NEW SOUNDBOKS stayed very loud, even louder than the previous two speakers (126dB). The advertised RMS power output is 216W. The sound has a much better balance, with clearer mids, more consistent highs, and powerful bass (but not as overwhelming as it was on the SOUNDBOKS 2).
The new SOUNDBOKS comes with a companion app called the SOUNDBOKS app. The app allows you to control the playback, volume, play with the EQ settings, control the volume of XLR channels, etc.
Things we don't like
NEW SOUNDBOKS is not as bassy as the previous SB2. If all you are looking for is overwhelming bass, the SOUNNDBOKS 2 is a viable alternative. And it's also cheaper than the NEW SOUNDBOKS.
The speaker still has no playback controls. To stop the music or change the song, you still have to use your phone.
Even though it has a huge battery, the speaker doesn't have any USB charge-out ports for charging other devices.
Check Price on JBL
A great party speaker, if you ask us, has to be loud and should have built-in lighting. Our top choice in this category is the JBL's PartyBox speaker line. For the purposes of this article, we reviewed the PartyBox 300, but there's an even louder speaker from this line called PartyBox 1000. If you are looking for a cheaper and more portable party speaker, try PartyBox 100 or 200.
PartyBox speaker line is similar to the SONY's GTK XB line, only more powerful, more versatile, easier to use, louder, and with a much stronger battery. XB90 is the biggest Bluetooth speaker from the XB line and it still can't compete with the PartyBox 300.
In terms of design, PartyBox 300 is fairly similar to the GTK XB speakers. It's a similar boxy design with lighted woofers on the front, controls on the top, and inputs on the back. Just like the XB speakers, PartyBox 300 can be oriented either vertically or horizontally, thanks to its driver arrangement.
The front panel is fully covered with a strong black grille. The grille protects two woofers (6.5in each) and three tweeters (2.25in each). The tweeters are strategically positioned in three corners, enabling you to place the speaker horizontally or vertically.
On the top, there's a simple control panel with playback and volume controls on one end, and power, lighting, and Bluetooth buttons on the other end.
All the physical inputs and some additional controls are on the back. The speaker has a 12V DC input as well as AC input. You also have one AUX input, one RCA input, one RCA OUT, and two ¼-in inputs (guitar and mic) with dedicated volume dials. Finally, PartyBox 300 has one USB port that can be used for both – music playback and charging.
The speaker has a large and powerful 10.4Ah rechargeable battery. At moderate volumes, you will get almost 18h of playback (5h at full blast). You can charge the battery and power the speaker via DC or AC input.
PartyBox 300 uses Bluetooth 4.2 with up to 50ft of wireless range. The connection is stable and reliable within that range. You can also pair two speakers wirelessly or you can pair them by connecting the RCA output port of one speaker to the RCA input port of the other speaker. To switch between stereo and party mode, you can use the L/R button on the back.
The most impressive thing about JBL PartyBox 300 is the sound output. It's quite powerful but also nicely balanced, with clear mids, and engaging highs.
Unlike Sony's GTK XB speakers, JBL Party Box speakers don't come with an app.
JBL PartyBox 300 is not very rugged and it has no IPX rating, so you should be careful around pools.
Aiwa Exos-9 is one of the loudest Bluetooth speakers under $300 and, more importantly, it's also one of the best-sounding Bluetooth speakers in this price range. It's portable, easy to use, versatile, and reliable. The most important disadvantage is the build quality. This thing is not rugged at all and it's not IPX rated, which makes it slightly less suitable for outdoor use. The manufacturer recently released the upgraded version called Exos-9X. Unfortunately, they didn't improve the build – they only doubled the battery life.
Exos-9 looks like a good old boombox player. It resembles the old Aiwa boomboxes but it's stylized and more attractive.
The front panel is almost entirely protected by a removable, semi-transparent grille. At the top, right above the grille, you have a simple LCD display and a volume knob. The grille protects 5 drivers – a 6.5in bass driver, two 3in mid-woofers, and two 1in tweeters.
On the top, there's a touch-sensitive control panel that allows you to control the playback, adjust the EQ settings (4 available presets + 5 independently adjustable frequency bands), and pair two speakers wirelessly (True Wireless Stereo).
On the back, in the right corner, there's the power input, USB power-out port (for charging other devices), micro USB port for updates, and a standard 3.5mm input.
The wireless connection runs on Bluetooth 4.2. The speaker supports NFC pairing and provides a stable connection within the 50ft range.
The battery is located on the back. It's removable/replaceable and rechargeable. At moderate volumes (around 85dBs), you will get up to 9 hours (3-4h at full blast). It takes more than 5h to fully charge the battery and you can play the music while charging.
The best thing about Exos-9 is, without a doubt, the sound quality. Not only because it's loud but also because it's very sophisticated and smooth. The bass is strong and punchy, the mids are clear and detailed, and the treble is consistent and accurate.
The lack of ruggedness makes Exos-9 a bit less suitable for outdoor use than some other Bluetooth speakers. It can be used outdoor but you have to be careful with it.
Check Price on Bose
If you are wondering what's the loudest portable Bluetooth speaker from Bose, it's this one – S1 Pro. It is a great PA speaker and it can be used for parties and other outdoor events. This speaker is also a great choice for musicians. You can connect a guitar or a mic to it, and you can control the volume of each source independently.
S1 Pro is a stylish and easily recognizable Bluetooth speaker. It features an angular design that allows you to place it on a side or vertically. You can even mount it on a stand. It feels rugged and durable, but it is not water-resistant or waterproof.
All the inputs and controls are located on the left panel. You have two combo XLR/6.35mm inputs that allow you to connect the guitar or mic. For each of these two inputs, there's a guitar/mic selector, dedicated volume dial, as well as reverb, bass, and treble dials. The speaker also has an AUX input, Bluetooth button, and AUX output for daisy-chaining two speakers together.
S1 Pro has a rechargeable battery that can provide you with 11 hours of continuous playtime at 50% volume (up to 4h at full volume).
The speaker also features so-called ToneMatch technology. ToneMatch is responsible for the automatic sound equalizations and allows you to have the best possible sound output, regardless of the speaker orientation and your surroundings.
If you want more control over the playback and EQ settings, you can download and install the Bose Connect app.
S1 Pro delivers pretty great sound. It's loud but it's also clear, detailed, and engaging. If you're a bass-head, you may want something with bigger bass output.
The last thing we have to mention is that Bose S1 Pro comes with a Shure mic and one XLR cable.
S1 Pro is the loudest portable Bluetooth speaker from Bose but it's not the loudest in its price range. You can find quite a few Bluetooth speakers that are louder than the S1 Pro and cost less.
ION Audio Bluetooth speakers, in general, are perfect for tailgating. They are large, rugged, loud, feature-rich, and easy to use. Today, we're reviewing the Tailgater. It can be used as a PA system, party speaker, karaoke speaker, etc. If you're interested in similar speakers, you should also check out other ION Audio speakers (Block Rocker Plus, Pathfinder, Raptor, Road Warrior, and Explorer).
Tailgater features a simple boxy design. The enclosure is made of MDF and has reinforcements along the edges. The corners are additionally reinforced. The whole speaker looks durable and very solid. There are two handles on the left and right ends so you can carry it around. Considering the size, adding a pair of wheels and a telescoping handle would've been a better idea.
The largest portion of the front panel is protected by a strong metal grille. At the top, there's a simple control panel. The panel is angled backward and houses all the controls and inputs. In the middle, you have an LCD display (shows the battery status, Bluetooth connection status, AM/FM frequency). The control panel houses one AUX input, one 6.35mm mic input (one mic is included in the package), and one charge-out USB port. Also, the control panel houses two volume dials (mic volume and master volume), and 5 control/mode buttons (Bluetooth button, AM/FM button, two tuning buttons, and play/pause button).
Tailgater features Bluetooth connectivity. It provides a stable wireless connection and has a pretty good range of up to 50ft. Aside from wireless connectivity, you can play music from any source with a 3.5mm output, you can listen to the radio (AM and FM tuners), or you can connect the included mic and use the speaker for karaoke or as a PA system.
The built-in battery delivers 35-40 hours of continuous playtime. The recharge takes less than 6 hours.
The Tailgater houses two drivers – a 6.5in woofer and 1in horn tweeter. The bass is strong, punchy, but not very deep and thumping. The mids are not the most detailed but are fairly clear. The treble is pretty consistent and accurate.
Tailgater iPA77 is rugged and durable but it's not waterproof. It's not IPX rated at all.
Many loud Bluetooth speakers are rugged and maybe even have some IPX rating but very few are fully waterproof. If you're looking for the loudest waterproof Bluetooth speaker, our top suggestion is JBL Boombox. Altec Lansing Xpedition 8 is the second-best.
JBL Boombox is IPX7-certified, it has a simple control scheme, powerful battery, and it's very loud. Until the introduction of the JBL PartyBox line, Boombox was the biggest and loudest portable Bluetooth speaker made by JBL. Now, it's ''only'' the loudest waterproof Bluetooth speaker.
JBL Boombox is a supersized version of those very popular JBL Bluetooth speakers like JBL Charge, Extreme, or JBL Flip. It has the same cylindrical design with a strong waterproof fabric wrapped around the speaker. On the bottom, you have a rubberized base and, on the top, there's a nice and durable handle. On the left and right ends, you have those recognizable JBL passive bass radiators.
The speaker has a very simple control scheme, just like the smaller JBL Bluetooth speakers. There are 6 buttons on the front side. You can use those buttons to control the playback, volume, initiate pairing, or pair multiple JBL Boombox speakers together (Connect + feature).
The speaker has a fully rubberized stand. On the front side of the stand, there's a simple battery status indicator. On the back, you have two mode buttons and a hidden compartment with all the inputs. Those two mode buttons allow you to switch between indoor and outdoor sound – they are basically two different EQ settings. The input panel houses one AUX input, two USB charge-out ports (they can't be used for music playback), a micro USB port, and a power/charging port.
JBL Boombox has an amazing battery. The capacity is 20Ah and the advertised continuous playtime is 24h (at moderate volumes). The recharge takes up to 7h and you can use it even while charging.
The speaker features wireless connectivity – it runs on Bluetooth 4.2 and it's reliable and stable within the standard 30ft Bluetooth range. Multipoint pairing is supported – you can connect two phones wirelessly at the same time. Also, thanks to the Connect + feature and JBL's Connect + app, you can pair two JBL Boombox speakers or any two speakers that support Connect + and play the music in stereo or party mode.
JBL Boombox houses two 4in woofers and two 0.8in tweeters. They are all front-firing so you won't get 360-sound, but you will most certainly get a very loud, bass-heavy sound, especially when the outdoor mode is engaged. The speaker has a lower power output when battery-operated (40W). It's louder in AC mode (60W).
JBL Boombox doesn't support NFC quick pairing.
The JBL Connect app doesn't offer any EQ settings.
The speaker doesn't deliver 360-sound.
Unlike all the previous big Bluetooth speakers, Bose SoundTouch 30 is not portable, but it features Bluetooth connectivity and it's loud, which means it meets the most important requirements. That's why it's on the list and it's our top recommendation if you are looking for the loudest multiroom speaker.
SoundTouch 30 features both Bluetooth and wi-fi connectivity, it's super easy to use, it is compatible with other SoundTouch speakers and with Alexa-enabled devices,
SoundTouch is a simple, boxy speaker but just like any other speaker made by Bose, it looks very attractive. Most of the front panel is protected with a fabric grille. In the middle of the front panel, there's a great-looking vertical display.
All the controls are on the top. You have 6 preset buttons (for saving your favorite internet stations and music services), a power button, Bluetooth/AUX selector, and two volume buttons. You will also get a remote with all these buttons (+ two additional thumbs up/thumbs down buttons) and the SoundTouch app. So, in total, there are three ways to control the playback and everything else.
On the rear panel, there's the AC input, Ethernet port, AUX input, and two USB ports for service purposes.
SoundTouch 30 features both – Bluetooth ad wi-fi connectivity so there are many ways to stream music wirelessly. Also, the SoundTouch 30 is compatible with numerous music streaming services and internet radio stations including Pandora, Spotify, Amazon Music, iTunes, TuneIn, Deezer, iHeart Radio, etc. And it's compatible with Alexa-enabled devices.
SoundTouch 30 is a multiroom speaker and is compatible with all the Bose SoundTouch speakers.
The speaker houses two 2in Twiddler speakers and one 4.5in woofer. The sound is very well balanced. The bass response is fast, punchy, and accurate. The mids are clear and detailed, and the treble is a little bit recessed (but it's not dull). For a speaker of its size, SoundTouch 30 can be quite loud. Sure, it's nowhere near the NEW SOUNDBOKS or other big Bluetooth speakers, but it's still more than most people need (especially for indoor use).
SoundTouch 30 doesn't have a built-in battery and has to be plugged in.
Real bass-heads will need something with more thump.
Check Price on Marshall
Once known for its guitar amps and professional audio equipment, Marshall is now also a very reputable name on the Bluetooth speaker and headphone market. Marshall's line of Bluetooth speakers has been highly praised for its design, ease of use, and sound quality.
Marshall Woburn II is the biggest Bluetooth speaker made by Marshall and, naturally, it's also the loudest. This one is our absolute favorite when it comes to desktop Bluetooth speakers. The only downside of this speaker is the lack of battery. Just like Bose SoundTouch, Woburn II is not portable.
Woburn II and the whole Marshall speaker line is one of the most attractive on the market. Woburn II features a very recognizable, some would even say iconic Marshall guitar amp design. It has a solid wooden cabinet wrapped in a nicely textured vinyl. The drivers are protected with a great-looking grille with the Marshall logo on it. Overall, it looks very refined, very sophisticated.
The controls are simple and easy to use. All the buttons are located on the top. There's one input selector (AUX/RCA/Bluetooth), three dials with backlit scales (volume dial, bass dial, and treble dial), play/pause button, and a power switch.
The speaker is fairly versatile. It features Bluetooth 5.0 and has aptX support. It also has one AUX input on the top and one RCA input on the back. The Bluetooth connection works like a charm and the range extends over 50ft. The speaker supports multipoint pairing (you can pair two phones with it at the same time). Also, you can pair two Woburn II speakers together and get a louder mono sound (Ambient mode) or stereo sound (Stereo mode). In order to daisy-chain two speakers and select the mode, you have to use the Marshall Bluetooth app. This app also allows you to play with the EQ settings and control the playback.
Marshall Woburn II houses two 5.25in woofers and two 0.75in tweeters. Each driver is driven by a dedicated Class-D amp (50Wx2 for the woofers and 15Wx2 for the tweeters). The speaker sounds exactly the same as it looks – very refined. The bass is present, fast, and punchy. The midrange is clear, detailed, and sweet. The highs are accurate and consistent. All in all, it's an engaging and quite enjoyable sound signature.
Woburn II is not portable – it has no built-in battery.
The Marshall app is not very stable and needs some improvements.
At this price point (approx. $450), you can also find a speaker with wi-fi connectivity and some additional features (Alexa compatibility, Chromecast, Airplay). Woburn II is just a Bluetooth speaker with two additional analog audio inputs (AUX and RCA).
This was our selection of 8 loudest Bluetooth speakers in 2021. Hopefully, it helped you find the most powerful Bluetooth speaker for your needs or at least figure out what to look for in a Bluetooth speaker if you want a loud one. If you need more info, scroll through the FAQs section and see our answers. If you have an opinion or experience you want to share, leave a comment below.
The manufacturers rarely (almost never) publish the max loudness (max SPL) of their speakers. The only exception is when their speakers are much louder than the competition and they want to brag about it. There's no international standard for measuring sensitivity and max SPL, but most manufacturers do it in an anechoic room with a calibrated mic at a 1m distance. The mic is placed in the sweet spot (usually in-line with the axis passing through the center of the speaker cabinet). The measuring is done multiple times. Some manufacturers do it while the speaker plays only one frequency (usually 1kHz), or a range of frequencies (300Hz-3kHZ), or a full audible range.
So, how to compare these values when the process is not standardized? Can you compare them at all? Honestly, without any extensive knowledge and understanding of speaker sensitivity or without your own research, you can hardly compare the max SPL values of different speakers. So, what's the point of the whole story, you may ask. Well, it's important because it can help you understand marketing gimmicks some unethical manufacturers use.
You see, the manufacturers sometimes advertise unrealistic values and try to trick you into buying their product. Some would say that their speakers are super-compact yet incredibly loud. Some would even show you the pictures of a decibel meter standing right next to the speaker measuring 130dB. Some YouTube reviewers also measure the loudness by placing the dB meter right next to the speaker. But you must always be aware of one thing – the measuring should be done at 1m distance. Why? Because every increase/decrease in distance results in significant changes in perceived loudness.
You already know, intuitively, that the loudness decreases when you move away from the speaker. What you don't know is that it decreases by 6dB when you double the distance. The opposite thing happens when you move closer to the speaker – if you are 2m (6.6ft) away and reduce the distance to 1m (3.3ft), the perceived SPL increases by 6dB. Also, if you reduce the distance from 1m (3.3ft) to 0.5m (1.65ft), the loudness increases again by 6dB. If you approach again, you get another 6dB increase.
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Placing the decibel meter right next to the speaker can increase the loudness by up to 40dB (compared to the SPL measured at 1m). So, if some manufacturer claims that its speaker can play at 130dB and shows you the picture or video of a decibel meter placed right next to the speaker, you should know it's a lie. We are not going to tell what manufacturers use this trick, but you will know if you stumble upon a speaker like that.
Q: What Bluetooth speaker is the loudest?
A: Our current top recommendation is the NEW SOUNDBOKS. However, this is not your only option when it comes to extremely loud, extremely powerful Bluetooth speakers. Here are some more suggestions – JBL PartyBox 1000 ($1,200), DiamondBoxx XL2 ($1,800), Bumpboxx UpRock V1S ($900). Our list of 8 loudest Bluetooth speakers in 2021 gathers all kinds of very loud Bluetooth speakers for different purposes, so make sure to check it out. You may also want to check out our articles about the best portable Bluetooth speakers with wheels, best Bluetooth speakers with stands, and best tailgating speakers. All these articles gather some of the biggest and most powerful Bluetooth speakers on the market.
Q: What is the loudest cheap Bluetooth speaker?
A: What's cheap for you? Is it anything under $50, under $100, or under $300? For some people, even $500 is not too much (but most of us will agree that 500 bucks or even $300 can hardly be considered cheap). If you want a relatively cheap but quite loud and powerful Bluetooth speaker, try ION Audio speakers. Most of them are priced between $100 and $200. ION Audio speakers are probably the loudest cheap Bluetooth speakers on the market. Our top recommendations when it comes to speakers under $300 are Bumpboxx Flare 6, Aiwa Exos-9, Altec Lansing Xpedition 8, BRAVEN BRV-XXL/2. If you want something more refined with better sound quality, and much louder sound, you will have to spend more than $300.
Q: What is the loudest Bose Bluetooth speaker?
A: The loudest Bose Bluetooth speaker is Bose S1 Pro.
Q: What is the loudest portable Bluetooth speaker?
A: The loudest portable Bluetooth speaker that we know of is the NEW SOUNBOKS. The previous two SOUNDBOKS versions are also extremely loud and powerful and are viable alternatives. The same goes for JBL PartyBox 1000 ($1,200), DiamondBoxx XL2 ($1,800), Bumpboxx UpRock V1S ($900).
Q: Which Bluetooth speaker has the best sound?
A: The loudest sound and best sound quality are not necessarily synonyms. Of all the speakers on our list of 8 loudest Bluetooth speakers in 2021, we loved Marshall Woburn II the most. It has a very refined and almost perfectly balanced sound output. Aiwa Exos-9 sounds great, too. The same goes for the NEW SOUNDBOKS and JBL Partybox 300.
Q: What is the loudest waterproof Bluetooth speaker?
A: The loudest fully waterproof Bluetooth speaker that we know of is JBL Boombox. Altec Lansing Xpedition 8 is a good alternative and it's also fully waterproof.
Q: How loud is 140 decibels?
A: 140dB is extremely loud. It's much louder than the human ear can handle and it can cause immediate damage. Many types of firearm can produce this kind of noise (or higher). Also, an aircraft engine can produce more than 140db during takeoff.
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Hey James I have the ION Tailgater I was looking to upgrade to something louder and possibly more bass heavy. How much louder is the party box 100 and would you consider the party box 100 or 300. By the way well done on the article.


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Category: Romance (Page 1 of 3)
January 9, 2021 / The Other Livvy / 0 Comments
KEY ACTORS: Bill Murray, Scarlett Johansson
✔ This does pass the Bechdel Test, but not well – brief conversations that aren't entirely directed at each other allow it to pass but I'd always hope for more!
✔ I didn't think I would but I do want to fuck the cast. Not individually, not in other films, but I do want to fuck Bob and Charlotte.
✔ And I think it is sex positive. That's more of a feeling than something that I can support with any evidence, but I'm going with it!
✔ Although I had to think about it for a moment, it does inspire fantasies. Of making a connection with the right person and the right time, of finding the perfect stranger in a beautiful city…
❓But is it rewatchable? I'm actually only going to give it half a mark as I'm afraid that it won't ever have the same impact again as it had when I watched it this week. Does it always feel like that good?
As always, this contains spoilers so watch the film before you read on…
STREAMING: Amazon Prime (free with subscription), YouTube (from £2.49). For a full list of streaming options, check out JustWatch.com
There's a quote from Roger Ebert that I read before I rewatched Lost in Translation this week that could have been written about me: 'I can't tell you how many people have told me that they just don't get Lost in Translation. They want to know what it's about. They complain "nothing happens." They've been trained by movies that tell them where to look and what to feel, in stories that have a beginning, a middle and an end.' Because that was me in 2003, or perhaps 2004 or 2005 when I first saw this movie. I didn't get it. I thought it was boring and I didn't watch it again. I was too busy watching 'more exciting,' more plot-driven movies and I felt that watching it again would be a waste of time.
But too many people had told me that I needed to watch Lost in Translation again. That I was missing out and that it was worth revisiting. And, wow, they were right. What a stunningly beautiful film! The ending has completely overwhelmed me and, now literally days later, thinking about it is still bringing me out in goosebumps. Although I cry at a lot of movies now, I can't remember the last time I had such a strong and unexpected reaction to a movie. I just wasn't expecting it. The emotional impact of the last few moments, the last scene, completely winded me and, suddenly, I was sobbing. What. A. Movie!
I always warn of spoilers at the beginning of these posts but it feels more unnecessary than usual here because knowledge of the plot doesn't really ruin or even explain Lost in Translation. It tells a simple story – Bob Harris (Murray) is an aging movie star who has come to Japan to make a commercial for whisky, admitting that he's taken this job to escape his family for a short while and to avoid needing to test himself with a real acting job. While there, he meets Charlotte (Johansson) who is in Tokyo with her husband as she has nothing else to do after graduating. Bob is having a midlife crisis; Charlotte is having a quarter-life crisis. Both are lonely, both are lost. And they find each other. They spend a few days hanging out in Tokyo, develop an amazing connection and then they go their separate ways. And that's it.
But honestly, I cannot emphasise this enough – if you're like me and have seen Lost in Translation but didn't like it, especially if it's been a few years since you last saw it, give it another try. Obviously, you may still hate it but there's a chance that your life experience since the last time (thank you COVID 19!) may mean that you can connect with this movie in a way that you simply couldn't before. And my friends were right. It really is worth revisiting.
Because I know now that I simply couldn't empathise with either Bob or Charlotte when I was 20 and so couldn't see what was happening. Without an emotional connection, I needed more plot and I needed to be led by the hand through the story, and that's not what Coppola intended. Lost in Translation is so powerful exactly because of its subtleness and its nuance, and the emotional climax would be diluted if the rest of the film was blunter.
I was in my early 20s when I first saw Lost in Translation and I hadn't experienced, well, anything by that point in my life. It's a privileged position to be in but I had been protected from the kind of weariness that Charlotte and Bob are experiencing. I was still at uni and still enchanted with my career; I was surrounded by my friends and was living with a lot of them; and was far enough from my sixth form love that I was over him and not yet bored with being single and feeling lonely…I was a student and naive and the world felt like my oyster.
But now, 15 years later, I am different. I do know weariness. I have been almost broken by my career and disillusioned to the dream of medicine. I have had my heart broken and I know how lonely you can feel in the wrong crowd. And 2020 was a year of crap no other in my lifetime. It's been shocking and stressful and difficult and it's going to take us years to recover. Pertinently for this film, we have been separated from people. Even though I am living with my loves, I am isolated from too many other people and I don't think I'd properly realised how much I physically missed contact.
Which may be why Bob and Charlotte's final embrace struck such an emotional cord with me. (And I make no apologies for discussing this movie backwards.) For the whole movie before this, they actually didn't touch that often and so each one felt important – her head on his shoulder at the party, taking his hand in the bar near the end. There may have been others that were even more slight or fleeting, but it felt like each touch mattered. They weren't casual; they were markers of their connection, intentional moments of empathy. It didn't feel like they were cautiously avoiding contact or hesitating but the infrequency gave these small touches so much power.
And so I could feel their whole body hug at the end. His arms totally enveloping her, head pressed into his shoulder, whispering in her ear – and I really don't care what he said because their body language said everything that I needed to feel. Connection when lost; loving company when alone. It was jarringly physical in a movie full of inference and felt like a punch in the gut. It is so powerful and so emotive and so intimate, and I found myself quite unexpectedly sobbing. It made my heart ache and sing all at the same time. Goddamn, I miss hugging!
This perfect moment only worked because Coppola, Murray and Johansson created a miracle. The whole of the rest of the movie had to work to give this embrace its power – and, wow, it is so delicately poised that it really should have failed – so I don't really understand why it didn't win more Oscars. I'm really happy that Coppola won for Best Original Screenplay but it isn't the words spoken in Lost in Translation that have stuck with me. It was the sights and the sounds and the way it made me feel. I loved the direction and cinematography, contrasting picturesque portraits with frenetic almost Steadicam-style juddery city shoots. I loved the stillness of some of the long periods without words and I loved how we could feel what both Bob and Charlotte were feeling through their glances and gestures, even more than their starkly honest words.
Coppola has said that Charlotte's character is essentially her. She had just married Spike Jonze and was feeling unexpectedly isolated: 'I was in this stage where I wasn't sure if I'd made the right choices or what I was doing in the post-college beginning of my adult life.' The idea of a quarter-life crisis always feels slightly ridiculous, and more than slightly privileged, but I do know that it is a real thing and I like how Coppola has presented it in Lost in Translation, not so much as a difficulty but as a disorientating and unexpected life experience. I know I harp on about how millennials have been disproportionately affected by social and financial changes over the last 20 years, but Charlotte's disillusionment when her adult life was just beginning will be familiar to many of us. Having graduated and got married, the rest of Charlotte's life is now stretching in front of her with very little 'formal' guidance about what to do next and that's scary and we weren't told to expect it. We were supposed to just find a job and, of course, a career and then our lives would be set, but it didn't work out like that for most of us.
I really liked Johansson in the role. Her husky voice and incredible beauty are well recognised now, but this was one of her first 'grown up' roles. In the year before, she played a 'plucky daughter' and here she is believably married and graduated and already lost. I don't know whether it is because she was so young but I loved how Johansson also managed to be incredibly relatable despite being staggeringly beautiful. It's almost as if she hadn't found her way to be sexy yet, which I certainly understand as I didn't find mine until I was nearly 30!
Although it is a shame that a movie with a female director chose to criticise one type of woman to lift another, I did relate to Charlotte when Coppola used Anna Faris's movie star character to emphasise the differences between Charlotte and Kelly, between a more every day and a more typically sexy woman. Peter Bradshaw in the Guardian described how Charlotte, 'the Yale graduate in her unflattering woollen tank-top, is made to feel dowdy and dull by this jabbering Valley girl' and I definitely related to that! As I said above, it took me until I was nearly 30 to work out how I could be sexy just as I was and I was so jealous of those people who made it appear effortless, who could make men fall at their feet just because they were hot – like Kelly does when Charlotte's husband flaps around her. (With hindsight, it is pretty reassuring to see *Scarlett Johansson* as the young person struggling to find themselves!)
And, of course, Bill Murray was a revelation. I'd heard some criticism that he was essentially playing himself but I think that is hugely dismissive of his performance here. Roger Ebert described him as giving 'one of the most exquisitely controlled performances in recent movies. Without it, the film could be unwatchable. With it, I can't take my eyes away.' And he's right – just think how his character could have gone wrong if it had been played any other way!
I honestly don't know how he did it but Murray's Bob managed to hang out with someone literally half his age without looking like a sleaze and without looking desperate. He was over 50 and Johansson was 17 when it was filmed and yet they don't feel unequal or creepy as you might expect in another movie, which is remarkable because it's really unusual to see a relationship with a significant age gap represented so positively on screen without any kind of comment, and I like that a lot. More than that, Bob does appear kind of sleazy at other times, such as when he hooks up with the lounge singer, emphasising how unique his relationship is with Charlotte.
It's also not because they don't have sexual chemistry, as they definitely do, but their relationship offers so much more. I was interested to read Roger Ebert's views on their potential sex. Perhaps taking the perspective of an older man, he felt that Bob was being 'almost studiously proper, as if making it clear he's not coming on to her,' which I didn't see. To me, that suggests a barrier or hesitation that I couldn't feel but perhaps that's because I've never been a man who is worried about being misinterpreted with a younger woman and so couldn't empathise with that perspective. Instead, I found his hands-off approach comforting. He wasn't pretending that he wasn't attracted to her but he wasn't being creepy either! Similarly, Ebert's view on Charlotte's sexual autonomy also feels quite old-fashioned now, writing that she could 'plausibly have sex with him, casually, to be "nice,"' which, again, my post-#MeToo, post-Cat Person 2021 perspective strongly disagrees with. For Charlotte to have sex with Bob simply to be nice would have been awful, undermining the respect that have for each other.
Would it have been a better or worse film if they had had sex? I don't know…I suspect that my response to their incredible hug at the end would have been weaker if they had had a more physical relationship before then, but I don't know if that's the pandemic talking! But I do think that adding sex would have defined their relationship in a way that would remove some of the magic found in the fact that it was never defined. Their relationship blurs and breaks all traditional barriers and labels. It's not sexual but it is intimate; it's paternal but she is also looking after him; they could be friends or lovers or relatives, but you never doubt that they love each other. They were all of us who are lost, finding the person that we need to find exactly when we need them.
For me, the conversation between Bob and Charlotte about having children sums up why Lost in Translation had such a big impact on me:
Bob: It gets a whole lot more complicated when you have kids.
Charlotte: It's scary.
Bob: The most terrifying day of your life is the day the first one is born.
Charlotte: Nobody ever tells you that.
Bob: Your life, as you know it… is gone. Never to return. But they learn how to walk, and they learn how to talk… and you want to be with them. And they turn out to be the most delightful people you will ever meet in your life.
Charlotte: That's nice.
What Bob says is true and really wise and it could have been such a profound moment, but Bob just says it casually and Charlotte tells him that it's nice. And it's kind of amazing. There's no misunderstanding here; no misinterpretation and, to steal the film's title, nothing is lost in translation.
Lost in Translation is a movie without superlatives, and I wasn't ready for that – in my teens when I didn't understand and now when I wasn't ready for how superlative my reaction could be to something so simple.
I've really not been able to stop thinking about it, and I don't know if I ever will.
NEXT TIME… Indecent Proposal
Copyright All stills and photos are sourced from MovieStillsDB and CineMaterial, and are the courtesy of their respective production studios and/or distribution companies. Images are intended for educational or editorial use only.
DIRECTOR: Clea DuVall
KEY ACTORS: Kristen Stewart, Mackenzie Davis, Aubrey Plaza
✔ Of course this passes the Bechdel Test!
✔ And I would definitely fuck the cast. I'm pretty much entirely straight and yet I would still definitely fuck either Kristen Stewart or Aubrey Plaza!
❌ But it didn't inspire fantasies. I'll admit that sneaking along corridors for secret sex at your parents house is kind of hot, but this is just too awkward…
❌ And the awkwardness means that I don't think it is rewatchable. I'm not a huge fan of romcoms for exactly that reason and this is too much
✔ But I will give it a mark for being sex positive – it's queer positive and inclusive and, eventually, accepting!
November 13, 2020 / The Other Livvy / 0 Comments
KEY ACTORS: Michael Douglas, Annette Bening
✔ This does pass the Bechdel Test, but it's one of those passes where the exact conversations that qualify can be listed so it's not a strong pass!
❌ But I don't think it's rewatchable. I don't mean that it's not good – I enjoyed it a lot – but I don't think you could pick it up halfway through and watch from there, and I don't know that I'd go out of my way to see it again
❌ And I don't want to fuck the cast. Sorry Michael Douglas, you're still not for me, although this is much closer than any other movie you've done!
✔ It is sex positive! The plot essentially revolves around whether it is appropriate for the President to have a girlfriend, but any opposition to the relationship is appropriately judged!
❌ It didn't inspire fantasies so is only getting 2/5, which feels low for a movie I enjoyed. But I simply don't want to fuck the American President – either in real life (MY EYES!), in the movie or in fantasy.
July 13, 2020 / The Other Livvy / 0 Comments
Director: Baz Luhrmann
KEY ACTORS: Nicole Kidman, Ewan McGregor
✔ It does pass the Bechdel test…but only just! Satine has a conversation with Marie, her dresser, about being a star. That's it.
✔ And, oh my gosh, I want to fuck the cast! It's difficult to argue whether this is either of McGregor or Kidman's peak hotness because they have just had so many peaks but, damn, they are beautiful in this movie…
✔ It's also incredibly rewatchable. If I come across it on TV, I will always watch it, no matter where in the movie we are.
✔ And Moulin Rouge did inspire fantasies. Not of sex work but of being that beautiful, that glamorous, that sexually confident…
❌ But it is not sex positive! It's not sex worker positive, it's not feminist, and it values virginity much too highly!
STREAMING: Amazon Prime (rent £2.49, buy £6.99), YouTube (from £3.99). For a full list of streaming options, check out JustWatch.com
July 3, 2020 / The Other Livvy / 0 Comments
DIRECTOR: Eric Schaeffer
KEY ACTORS: Michael Welch, Michelle Hensley
CERTIFICATE: unrated in UK, R in USA
I'm so excited to be hosting this guest post! Quinn Rhodes (ze/hir) is an absolutely incredible trans blogger who writes really excellent and passionate posts about hir explorations with gender, kink and hir sexuality. Hir erotica is also smoking hot!! I asked Quinn to chose a movie that contains a trans character or was about trans themes, and ze surpassed my expectations by picking a perfect film – one that is new to me and one that shows a much more positive trans experience than most. Boy Meets Girl is fantastic and I am so pleased that ze introduced me to it. Find Quinn on Twitter @OnQueerStreet
✔ It does pass the Bechdel Test! There are several conversations where there are only women on screen and they're talking about themselves…though a lot of the time they are rather obsessed with the main character's junk.
✔ It is rewatchable! Admittedly, this was the first time I've watched Boy Meets Girl and even in the six years since it came out it hasn't aged especially well in some aspects (more on that later), but it's definitely a film I'll be going back to.
✔ Of course I want to fuck the cast! Michelle Hensley is incredibly hot and I forgive the unrealistic sex scenes (when they start fucking outside by a river in the middle of the night and then we cut to them in a bed the next morning) because she is so fucking sexy in them.
✔ It also inspires fantasies! I am definitely going to have to spend more time thinking about the sex that the film obviously doesn't show us, lest it be cast as porn, and trying to work out what some of the things the characters whisper to each other before they fuck could be.
✔ I'd also say that it was sex positive! I think any film that shows two women having "the talk" before they have sex about previous partners and safe sex practices definitely can be counted as extremely sex positive, even if I would never describe talking about those things in that way.
STREAMING: Amazon Prime (free with subscription, or rent for £2.99, buy £6.99). For a full list of streaming options, check out JustWatch.com
May 15, 2020 / The Other Livvy / 0 Comments
KEY ACTORS: Natalie Portman, Clive Owen, Jude Law, Julia Roberts
ROTTEN TOMATO SCORE: 68%
✔ Yes. The cast are fuckable. All of them. Every single character. They're awful but I would fuck them all without hesitation!
✔And it definitely inspired fantasies – fantasies of love at first sight, fantasies of being wanted so intensely and destructively
✔ Closer passes the Bechdel Test when Alice and Anna talk about photography at the beginning of the film.
✔ I also think it's rewatchable. It's a stunning, enthralling and breathtaking film!
❌ But is it sex positive? Sadly, I can't give Closer the mark. Sex is used as a weapon too many times…
May 1, 2020 / The Other Livvy / 6 Comments
KEY ACTORS: Hugh Grant, Andie MacDowell
IMBD SCORE: 7.0
✔ This movie is definitely rewatchable! Sadly, it's not on TV as often as other Richard Curtis movies as I could watch it every day!
✔ It's difficult to know if this movie is the source of wedding dress fantasies or not, but this was certainly my first exposure to the idea of fucking while wearing a wedding dress.
✔ And it does pass the Bechdel Test, but only just!! Apparently the only qualifying line between two named female characters is this one: Scarlett: Isn't she beautiful? Fiona: Scarlett, you're blind, she looks like a big meringue.
✔ I contemplated this one for quite a long time but I have concluded that the cast are fuckable. None are at their hotness peak but they're all looking pretty good!
✔ And it is sex positive. The characters all fuck around and have a lot of sex and, while it may be greeted with humour and hilarity, the characters are never judged for it. And I like that!
January 19, 2020 / The Other Livvy / 3 Comments
DIRECTOR: Gil Junger
KEY ACTORS: Heath Ledger, Julia Stiles, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Larisa Oleynik
✔ First off, this film is incredibly rewatchable. And it seems to be on the TV all the time. Yay!
✔ And it is sex positive. I particularly liked how sex was accurately discussed as something teenagers do, rather than being shocking in itself. Bianca's surprise that Kat had had sex with Joey sprung from her shock at not being told, rather than the act itself, and Kat's regret was based on how Joey acted afterwards. She had consented to having sex but changed her mind about doing it again; for once, it wasn't assault as a plot point.
✔ It does pass the Bechdel Test, although it did take some thought to remember conversations that weren't about dating!
✔ And I definitely, definitely want to fuck the cast. It's Heath Ledger and Julia Stiles!
❌ But it didn't inspire fantasies. It's not really that kind of movie and I didn't want to have their 'outsiders together' relationship.
DIRECTOR: Nancy Meyers
KEY ACTORS: Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Jack Black, Eli Wallach
CERTIFICATE: 12A
✔So the cast are definitely fuckable. I'm not a Jude Law fan as such but, wow, this is extraordinary levels of hotness and Kate Winslet is never better than playing an English Rose
❌ But this film didn't inspire fantasies. In fact, completely the reverse. I actively didn't want either of their lives!
❌ This may just be my opinion, but I also don't think this film is rewatchable. I hate Love Actually and I watch it all the time. I have only seen this twice and that's too many times!
✔It does pass the Bechdel test, although I am pretty annoyed that this is another pass because of conversations with children. Adult women can talk too!!
✔ But I do think it is sex positive. It's full of romantic cliches but the sexual ones are pretty well handled.


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The car scrappage scheme for Burnt Hill may seem like a great idea. There are a few flaws in the governments plans, as there will only be certain cars that qualify. You can't just go out and purchase any vehicle you want People seem to get very frustrated as this deal is not available on all cars, only certain cars are available in the car scrappage deals.
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Q: HTML5 or Android I have done a bit of research on HTML5 and started doing minor programming on Android.  My questions is whether I should concentrate on HTML5 programming or Android.  I understand that with HTML5 I should be able to write once and then port for any platform(Android, iOS, BB) but only with Android that is not the case.
Any advise, suggestions, comments are welcome.

A: May I recommend a very excellent session from Google I/O 2011:
Google I/O 2011: HTML5 versus Android: Apps or Web for Mobile Development?

A: jBit's link is very good, but it's also over an hour long. By all means, watch it, it's very informational and probably better than almost any other answer you're going to get, however if you want something a little bit more summed up and quick, check out this link.
It's from a conference in Philadelphia. Basically, the main point of the article is - you need both. HTML5 and programming for each mobile device through their native platform, each have there pros and cons, and the pipe dream of creating one "app" to run on every device the same way is by no means accessible...yet.

A: Matt Gemmell wrote a thoughtful post about the differences between coding web apps or native apps.

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