QAnon founder may have been identified thanks to machine learning

With help from machine learning software, computer scientists may have unmasked the identity of Q, the founder of the QAnon movement. In a sprawling report published on Saturday, The New York Times shared the findings of two independent teams of forensic linguists who claim they’ve identified Paul Furber, a South African software developer who was one of the first to draw attention to the conspiracy theory, as the original writer behind Q. They say Arizona congressional candidate Ron Watkins also wrote under the pseudonym, first by collaborating with Furber and then later taking over the account when it eventually moved to post on his father’s 8chan message board.The two teams of Swiss and French researchers used different methodologies to come to the same conclusion. The Swiss one, made up of two researchers from startup OrphAnalytics, used software to break down Q’s missives into patterns of three-character sequences. They then tracked how often those sequences repeated. The French team, meanwhile, trained an AI to look for patterns in Q’s writing. Both techniques broadly fall under an approach known as stylometry that looks to analyze writing in a way that is measurable, consistent and replicable. To avoid the possibility of confusing their respective programs, the teams limited their analysis to social media posts. Among all the other possible authors they put through the test, they say the writing of Furber and Watkins stood out the most for how similar it was that... Continue reading at 'Engadget'

[ Engadget | 2022-02-19 20:56:18 UTC ]

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It's party time as bookshops launch 'Cursed Child'

Central London was once again full of wizards, Harrys, Hagrids and Hermiones last night (30th July) as Waterstones Piccadilly and Foyles on Charing Cross Road held extravagant parties to celebrate Little, Brown’s publication of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child– surely already the fastest... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2016-07-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Baltimore book stores hope for new magic in release of 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child'

Local fans of the "Harry Potter" books and films series are gearing up this weekend for something they've long yearned for — one more journey to the wizarding world."Harry Potter and the Cursed Child," a book edition of a play debuting this weekend at London's West End Palace Theatre, will be... Continue reading at Baltimore Sun

[ Baltimore Sun | 2016-07-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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A timeline of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

A look back at the magical journey through Harry Potter's history leading up to the release of "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child". Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2016-07-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Harry Potter: the next generation

Katherine Cowdrey on returning to the magic of Harry Potter as an adult with the "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" play. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2016-07-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child': What do critics love about it?

Reviews for the upcoming 'Potter' stage play are so far very positive. What about the show has so impressed reviewers? Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2016-07-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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'Cursed Child' play gets rave reviews

The verdict is in for "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child", with reviewers hailing the two-part play "a dazzling duel of light and dark" (the Guardian), "a triumph" (the Telegraph), and "a magical experience tailor made for the stage, filled to the brim with fan service" (the Independent). Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2016-07-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Harry Potter and the Return of the Bookselling Frenzy

Harry Potter fans, booksellers, and librarians are getting ready to party like it's 2007: Scholastic is prepping to release 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Parts One and Two' on July 31. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-07-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Retailers await Rowling as Brexit and football hit footfall

Booksellers are hoping that the release of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child later this month will offset the negative impact economic uncertainty has had on footfall following the Brexit vote.     Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2016-07-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child' in London discontinues use of live owls

They were supposed to be a secret, but when word leaked that the new "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" in London was using real owls during performances, fans of the saga went wild on social media. Alas, the owls have officially flown the coop before the blockbuster West End production... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2016-06-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Critics praise 'epic' Cursed Child first preview

Theatre critics have responded enthusiastically to the first part of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, which previewed at London’s Palace theatre last night (7th June). Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2016-06-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Booksellers ready to relive midnight madness for Potter play

Retailers are plotting a range of spellbinding evenings across the UK ahead of the release of JK Rowling’s "eighth Harry Potter book”, the play script for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Little, Brown). Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2016-06-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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First look at the Potter family from upcoming play 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child'

It’s been 19 years since the events of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” and boy does it show. The first images of upcoming West End stage play “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” written by English playwright Jack Thorne and based on a story from Thorne and “Potter” scribe J.K. Rowling,... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2016-05-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Harry Potter magic helps conjure up profit rise at Bloomsbury

Sales of JK Rowling’s much-loved books jump 133%, boosted by illustrated edition, contributing to 8% profit rise at publisherHarry Potter is still working his magic for the publisher Bloomsbury after nearly 20 years, with sales more than doubling over the past year thanks to a new illustrated... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2016-05-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Bookshop to give Harry Potter 'eighth story' profits to schools

The Big Green Bookshop is to donate all profits from the sales of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Little, Brown) to local schools to enable them to buy books for their libraries. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2016-05-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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GCHQ warned Bloomsbury about Harry Potter theft

British surveillance agency GCHQ intervened with the launch of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, the sixth book in J K Rowling’s Harry Potter series. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2016-04-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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'Harry Potter' chair sold at NY auction

A chair that author JK Rowling sat on while writing the first two Harry Potter books is sold at a New York auction for nearly $400,000 (£283,000). Continue reading at BBC News

[ BBC News | 2016-04-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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What to know about opening day at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

The opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood on Thursday is likely to draw huge crowds, including adults who grew up reading the books by J.K. Rowling and teens who watched the eight movies that followed. If you plan to brave the Potterfest, here are some... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2016-04-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Wizarding World of Harry Potter opens in 2 days: Red carpet event coming tonight

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood is about to debut. After 2 1/2 years of construction, Wizarding World is set for its grand opening Thursday morning. Leading up to that, a red carpet event tonight will include several stars from the "Harry Potter" films, and more... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2016-04-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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At Wizarding World of Harry Potter, magic comes to life, or as close as it gets

In hero-quest terms, the recovery of the Sorcerer's Stone was Harry Potter's first big win, even though he didn't get to keep it. By the time Harry woke up after his first battle with You Know Who, the stone, with all its life-extending and gold-producing properties, had, in fact, been destroyed.... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2016-04-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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J.K. Rowling will reveal more about the American world of magic on Pottermore

The upcoming movie 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,' based in the world of 'Harry Potter,' is set in America. Upcoming stories published on the site Pottermore will reveal more about the magical culture in the US. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2016-03-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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