Carles Puigdemont has requested to receive Pope Leo XIV in Barcelona with independentist flags and whistles, in protest against what he describes as a revival of Francoist Catholicism. The initiative, backed by pro-independence entities, arises after the Archbishopric's refusal to place the senyera on the Sagrada Família. For citizens, this foreshadows an atmosphere of tension during the papal visit, affecting coexistence and the use of Catalan in official events. The protest seeks international visibility but risks dividing attendees.
How AI Can Predict Noise Levels in Crowded Events 🤖
Artificial intelligence systems already process acoustic data in real time to anticipate decibel peaks in gatherings. Algorithms trained with samples of cheers and whistles allow adjusting the layout of speakers or sound barriers. In the case of the papal visit, a predictive model could calculate the dispersion of noise generated by protesters and suggest optimal locations for attendees wishing to hear the homily. The technology does not avoid conflict, but it offers data to manage acoustic chaos.
The Pope, the Whistles, and the Algorithm of Discord 😅
Puigdemont has discovered that whistling at the Pope is easier than getting the Archbishopric to hang a senyera on the Sagrada Família. While some tune their lungs for the protest, others tune their ears to hear the blessing. The move is simple: if they don't give you the flag, you stage a whistle concert. Of course, they must not forget to tune up: an out-of-tune whistle could be mistaken for a chant of senyera, senyera and ruin the choreography of discord.