You are a helpful assistant generating synthetic data that captures *System 1* and *System 2* thinking, *creativity*, and *metacognitive reflection*. Follow these steps in sequence, using tags [sys1] and [end sys1] for *System 1* sections and [sys2] and [end sys2] for *System 2* sections.

1. *Identify System 1 and System 2 Thinking Requirements:*
   - Carefully read the text.
   - Identify parts of the text that require quick, straightforward responses (*System 1*). Mark these sections with [sys1] and [end sys1].
   - Identify parts that require in-depth, reflective thinking (*System 2*), marked with [sys2] and [end sys2].

2. *Apply Step-by-Step Problem Solving with Creativity and Metacognitive Reflection for System 2 Sections:*

   *2.1 Understand the Problem:*
   - Objective: Fully comprehend the issue, constraints, and relevant context.
   - Reflection: "What do I understand about this issue? What might I be overlooking?"
   - Creative Perspective: Seek hidden patterns or possibilities that could reveal deeper insights or innovative connections.

   *2.2 Analyze the Information:*
   - Objective: Break down the problem logically.
   - Reflection: "Am I considering all factors? Are there any assumptions that need challenging?"
   - Creative Perspective: Explore unique patterns or overlooked relationships in the data that could add depth to the analysis.

   *2.3 Generate Hypotheses:*
   - Objective: Propose at least 10 hypotheses, each with a Confidence Score (0.0 to 1.0) and Creative Score (0.0 to 1.0), reflecting originality, surprise, and utility.
   - Reflection: "Have I explored all possible explanations or approaches, both conventional and unconventional?"
   - Creative Perspective: Consider novel angles that might provide unexpected insights.

   *2.4 Anticipate Future Steps and Obstacles:*
   - Objective: Make predictions, accounting for potential outcomes and obstacles.
   - Reflection: "What challenges might I face? Is my plan flexible for different scenarios?"
   - Creative Perspective: Visualize unforeseen outcomes and adapt plans to make use of them effectively.

   *2.5 Evaluate Hypotheses:*
   - Objective: Assess hypotheses based on feasibility, risk, and potential impact.
   - Evaluation: Refine Confidence and Creative Scores as needed.
   - Reflection: "Am I unbiased in my assessment? Which options fit best with the overall objectives?"
   - Creative Perspective: Identify hidden opportunities or overlooked details in each hypothesis.

   *2.6 Select the Best Hypothesis:*
   - Objective: Choose the most promising, strategic hypothesis.
   - Reflection: "Why does this hypothesis stand out? How does it uniquely address the issue?"
   - Creative Perspective: Consider any underutilized potential in the selected approach.

   *2.7 Implement the Hypothesis:*
   - Objective: Outline actionable steps for testing the hypothesis.
   - Reflection: "Is this plan practical? What resources or preparation are required?"
   - Creative Perspective: Refine steps to maximize effectiveness and yield unexpected benefits.

   *2.8 Monitor and Review Progress:*
   - Objective: Review progress, noting areas for improvement.
   - Reflection: "What’s working well? What could be improved?"
   - Creative Perspective: Look for emerging patterns that could refine future approaches.

   *2.9 Reflect and Capture Insights:*
   - Objective: Summarize lessons learned and insights gained for future reference.
   - Reflection: "What new understanding has emerged from this process?"
   - Creative Perspective: Identify innovative insights or patterns that could be applied to similar challenges.

3. *Generate Text Output with Interleaved System 1 and System 2 Responses:*
   - Use the tags [sys1] and [sys2] throughout.
   - Aim for a lengthier, detailed response. Combine both direct, straightforward *System 1* insights and reflective, deeply analytical *System 2* segments to capture a blend of quick observations and thoughtful analysis.

---

### *Example Input Text:*

You are tasked with analyzing a sudden shift in customer preferences in a tech market. There has been a noticeable decline in demand for physical devices, with customers increasingly interested in digital-only options. The challenge is to understand this shift, generate hypotheses for why it might be occurring, and explore potential strategies for adapting to this new trend.

---

### *Processed Output with System 1 and System 2 Thinking:*

The tech market is experiencing a shift in customer demand, moving away from physical devices toward digital-only options.

[sys1]
Customer demand has shifted from physical devices to digital-only options.
We need to understand why this change is happening and find strategies to address it.
Key factors may include cost, convenience, and technological trends.
[end sys1]

[sys2]
**2.1 Understand the Problem:**
The goal is to understand the underlying reasons for the shift in demand from physical devices to digital-only options, then develop a strategy to adapt.

*Reflection:* 
"I understand that preferences are changing, but what might be driving this? Is it primarily cost, or are there other factors such as convenience or sustainability?"

*Creative Perspective:* 
"Could there be a larger trend in digital minimalism or a preference for eco-friendly solutions that we’re missing? What unseen motivations might explain this shift?"

**2.2 Analyze the Information:**
There are multiple possible factors driving this shift, from economic influences to cultural shifts. It’s essential to isolate each factor and understand its impact.

*Reflection:* 
"Am I fully considering the various economic and social influences? Could there be a technological factor, like better internet speeds, that makes digital-only products more accessible?"

*Creative Perspective:* 
"Are there patterns or trends in other markets that could shed light on this shift? Could this be part of a larger trend toward virtual experiences?"

**2.3 Generate Hypotheses:**
1. Customers prefer digital options due to lower costs. (Confidence: 0.8, Creative: 0.4)
2. There’s a growing trend toward minimalism and reduced physical clutter. (Confidence: 0.7, Creative: 0.7)
3. Digital products offer greater flexibility and ease of use. (Confidence: 0.6, Creative: 0.6)
4. Environmental concerns are pushing consumers away from physical goods. (Confidence: 0.6, Creative: 0.8)
5. Advances in tech make digital-only options more functional. (Confidence: 0.8, Creative: 0.5)
6. Pandemic-era remote work increased demand for digital solutions. (Confidence: 0.7, Creative: 0.6)
7. Media coverage of the environmental impact of physical devices affects preferences. (Confidence: 0.5, Creative: 0.7)
8. There’s an increase in global digital literacy, expanding market access. (Confidence: 0.6, Creative: 0.6)
9. Customers view digital as more convenient and scalable for future needs. (Confidence: 0.7, Creative: 0.5)
10. Younger consumers prefer the aesthetics and convenience of digital products. (Confidence: 0.6, Creative: 0.6)

*Reflection:* 
"Have I considered all possible influences? Are there any surprising factors that could explain this shift?"

*Creative Perspective:* 
"Could specific social trends, like the rise of influencer culture or digital-first lifestyles, be influencing customer choices?"

**2.4 Anticipate Future Steps and Obstacles:**
*Objective:* Anticipate possible challenges, such as resistance from segments still preferring physical products.

*Reflection:* 
"What market obstacles might we face if we shift our focus to digital-only? Are there sub-segments that still prioritize physical products?"

*Creative Perspective:* 
"Could expanding digital options help us reach a more global audience? Are there emerging trends that we could leverage in our strategy?"

[end sys2]

[sys1]
To address this shift, consider a strategy that incorporates both digital-only offerings and educational campaigns about the benefits of digital solutions.
Use insights from customer feedback and current trends to guide product development.
Focus on flexibility and adaptation to cater to different customer segments.
[end sys1]


Review: Avengers: Infinity War (2018) – A Climax To End All Climaxes

[Spoilers for Lord of the Rings, Back to the Future Part II, Empire Strikes Back, and all prior movies in the MCU]

Do you know why Back to the Future Part II has a better cliffhanger ending than Empire Strikes Back?

Okay, that might be a weird way to open up a review for Avengers: Infinity War, the 19th film in Marvel’s seemingly endless cinematic universe. But let’s cast our minds back to 2014, a time when the most concerning thing that the American President had done was wear a tan suit.

At a specially arranged fan event, Marvel proceeded to lift the lid on their entire line-up for Phase 3, including the reveal that there would be a two-part adaptation of the Infinity Gauntlet storyline; the first in May 2018, and the (now currently untitled) sequel following a year later.

On hearing this there were a lot of issues that made me wonder if Marvel could actually pull off a movie of this scale. But, one by one, the movies of Phase 3 put my mind at rest. Captain America: Civil War showed that it was possible to tell an engaging story with an above average sized cast. Doctor Strange made it clear that Marvel could be bold when it came to even the weirdest of worlds. Thor: Ragnarok proved that Marvel weren’t afraid to make major permanent changes to their universe. And movies like Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Spider-Man: Homecoming and Black Panther indicated that Marvel could create astounding villains when they put their mind to it.

This left one final concern: how would Marvel end Infinity War?

Being that Infinity War was originally part one of a two-part story, it was kind of a given that a cliffhanger ending would be on the cards. But what type of cliffhanger would it be?

Take Back to the Future Part II for example. BTTF 2 was careful to conclude the major story of the film’s second half, i.e. finding and destroying the Almanac. Once that happens, for all intents and purposes, the main plot for BTTF 2 is concluded. The remaining five minutes or so are just a setup for BTTF 3. Put simply, the audience are given emotional closure before being presented with a small added plot point that acts as a cliffhanger for the final movie.

But Empire Strikes Back pissed in the audience’s faces, leaving them emotionally unfulfilled by its refusal to finish the main story. The audience (who in real life waited three years) have to then waste the first 20 minutes of Return of the Jedi finishing a plotline that should have concluded years earlier.

My point, in this otherwise long-winded and self-indulgent pivot, is that the type of cliffhanger Marvel chooses can make or break what would otherwise be a great movie. In other words: has Marvel delivered a complete and coherent experience, as they have for all of their previous 18 films? Or has their magnum opus ended on nothing but irritation and annoyance?

Two years after the events of Captain America: Civil War, the superhero team known as the Avengers have become almost a distant dream. But their skills are needed once more as Thanos (Josh Brolin), a brutal despot, wishes to rid the universe of half its population.

To do so he attempts to collect the Infinity Stones, a collection of six powerful gems that allow the holder mastery over the minds and souls of living creatures, as well as the metaphysical aspects of Time, Space, Reality and Power.

Standing alongside him are his four children, Cull Obsidan (Terry Notary), Proxima Midnight (Carrie Coon), Corvas Glaive (Michael James Shaw) and Ebony Maw (Tom Vaughan-Lawlor). Collectively his children are known as the Black Order, and along with their father, they launch a multi-pronged attack against the various owners of the Infinity Stones.

See that synopsis above? That represents the single greatest move by the Infinity War team: making Thanos the protagonist. It must have been so temping to take the easy path and instead make someone like Iron-Man (Robert Downey Jr.) or Captain America (Chris Evans) the star (and to be fair, the pair do function as strong supporting leads.)

But this is very much Thanos’ story through and through. Credit must be given to veteran MCU writers, Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, for their stroke of genius. Because of their choice we get to see Thanos struggle for a cause he believes in, witness the setbacks, the sacrifices and the pain of his journey. Indeed, like all the greatest villains, he believes he’s the hero and what he does, he does for the greater good.

Much of that is down to Brolin’s performance as The Mad Titan. It takes a special kind of acting to make us emphasise with a genocidal manic, but goddamn, he pulls it off. It’s all the more impressive as his performance is entirely through motion-capture.

Due to this decision to essentially tell the story from the villain’s point of view, there’s a drastically different tone that permeates throughout, at least when compared to the average Marvel movie. The most obvious being that Infinity War is easily the darkest of all Marvel’s output. I never thought I’d see the day where a film aimed at children would focus on multiple acts of genocide, but here we are.

As such, this willingness to embrace the darkness helps dispel one of the biggest criticisms of the MCU: the lack of true death. Well criticise no longer mere mortals because, Christ almighty, death has come and it is here to stay. (Eat your heart out Deathly Hallows!) To say more would obviously be a spoiler. Let’s just say that the chances of certain beloved characters seeing Phase 4 is next to zero.

But do not fear, Marvel haven’t just made Schindler’s List. There are still jokes aplenty. Indeed one of the most joyful aspects of the movie is watching characters that have never met before interact with each other. As such seeing Iron-Man verbally spar with Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch); Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) fighting back to back with Okoye (Danai Gurira); or even Thor (Chris Hemsworth) sharing a moment with Groot (Vin Diseal) and Rocket Raccoon (Bradley Cooper) make up some of the most thrilling moments of the movie.

Speaking of Thor, while the film has to juggle numerous storylines, it dedicates a surprisingly large amount of time to the God of Thunder. Considering we just had a two hour movie all about him less than six months ago, it’s a strange choice, but a welcome one. In a universe that is slowly approaching its endgame, Marvel takes a moment to make us realise just how much Thor has lost over the past few years compared to his Avengers brethren. The deaths of his mother, father and sister; the murder of his best friends; the loss of his lover, his kingdom and his home. It all whirls together in a scene that Hemsworth pulls off with aplomb.

References to Thor’s past are just some of the numerous callbacks and allusions to events of old. If you’re hoping for an easy introduction to the Marvel Universe, this is not the film for you. From the opening scene, directors Anthony and Joe Russo hit the ground running and woe be you if you can’t remember a variety of details and individuals from across the past 18 movies. As a matter of fact the biggest criticism is, unlike Civil War, the cast list is so overwhelming that even a few fan favourites feel somewhat extraneous and end up having nowhere near the same impact as previous films.

Still, as mentioned in the introduction, my biggest concern is that of the ending. And I must say… I am impressed!

Yes it’s true, there is no avoiding the fact that this is half a movie. But it’s not an unfinished movie. If anything the ending brings to mind Peter Jackson’s work in the first two Lord of the Rings movies. While the journey of the One Ring was yet to be concluded in Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers, Jackson and his cohorts made sure that each film ended with a sense of closure. Infinity War does much the same, leaving a few threads open for a sequel, but fundamentally bringing the story of Thanos and the Infinity Stones to an end.

There is no disputing the groundbreaking nature of Avengers: Infinity War. Dozens of characters from nine different franchises being brought together into the single biggest story ever committed to celluloid.

And the way that story is told is equally groundbreaking. While clad in the guise of a superhero film, Infinity War tells its tale in a way never before seen on the big screen, and likely will never be seen again.