the blog is dead, long live the substack
# tech

the blog is dead, long live the substack

Sometimes the only way forward is to try something new.


why neutron stars may be the coolest objects in the universe
# space

why neutron stars may be the coolest objects in the universe

Neutron stars’ thunder is usually stolen by black holes, but these bizarre objects living on the edge of physics create plenty of fascinating phenomena all on their own.


how social media ruined expertise and how to get it back
# tech

how social media ruined expertise and how to get it back

Thanks to social media, everybody can be a pundit today, and that’s ruining how we build a factual understanding of our world and what’s happening in it.


behold the (terrifyingly badly designed) cyborg of the 1960s
# science

behold the (terrifyingly badly designed) cyborg of the 1960s

Humans have been thinking about modifying themselves to survive the rigors of space flight for a long time now. Thankfully, out ideas for how to do it have vastly improved.


scientists find a place where liquid water can’t support life
# science

scientists find a place where liquid water can’t support life

Normally on Earth liquid water means life. But researchers found a place where that isn't the case…

why we should give tesla’s cybertruck a chance
# tech

why we should give tesla’s cybertruck a chance

The Cybertruck looks like an aggressively angular prop from a sci-fi movie. But it can also change our minds about how to build and power utility vehicles for the better.

sand smugglers and water thieves are making climate change worse
# science

sand smugglers and water thieves are making climate change worse

Sand and water might be everywhere, but the grim reality is that the sand we can use, and water needed for watering our crops and modern civilization are both being threatened.

wowt explains: what is transhumanism?
# tech

wowt explains: what is transhumanism?

As we learn more about how we evolved and accelerate our technical know-how, some are wondering if we can use science and technology to overcome our limitations.

to save the world’s minds, we need to kill the nine to five job
# tech

to save the world’s minds, we need to kill the nine to five job

Futurists once dreamed of an automated, leisurely utopia. Our failure to live up to their visions is taking a massive toll on our health and politics.

so, you elected a conspiracy theorist…
# politics

so, you elected a conspiracy theorist…

It's bad enough when conspiracy theorists with an axe to grind decide who gets to run nations. It's far worse when those they elect are just as wild-eyed and paranoid.

wowt explains: what is antimatter?
# science

wowt explains: what is antimatter?

Like warp drives, suspended animation, and teleportation, antimatter is a frequent staple of science fiction. But what exactly is it, and could we ever use it to do amazing things?

has anyone ever been killed by dark matter?
# science

has anyone ever been killed by dark matter?

When you think about just how much dark matter there is in the universe, it would be pretty strange if it never harmed anyone or anything…

wowt explains: what is a quantum computer?
# tech

wowt explains: what is a quantum computer?

Quantum computers are coming. But what exactly are they and what can they do for us?

the simmering battle to define a.i. and how smart it can be
# tech

the simmering battle to define a.i. and how smart it can be

Despite constantly using algorithms defined as artificial intelligence and losing millions of jobs to it, we're still not sure where this technology can go and if it's really intelligent.

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