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.


world of weird things podcast: why everything we know is a theory
# podcast

world of weird things podcast: why everything we know is a theory

This one is for every scientist and science writer who've been told that something is "just a theory" in response to an article.

wowt explains: what is a cyborg?
# tech

wowt explains: what is a cyborg?

Thanks to science fiction we're all familiar with the term cyborg, but what it means is actually a lot less defined than it appears at first glance.

why planet nine is very unlikely to be a tiny black hole
# space

why planet nine is very unlikely to be a tiny black hole

According to sensationalistic headlines, the hypothetical ninth planet in our solar system is a tennis ball sized black hole. According to physics, it's far more likely to be literally anything else.

wowt explains: what is automation?
# tech

wowt explains: what is automation?

Few topics today are as relevant and impactful as automation, changing the fortunes of developing nations and deeply reshaping the economies of politics of wealthy ones.

why the myth of nasa’s $165 million space pen just won’t die
# space

why the myth of nasa’s $165 million space pen just won’t die

The long-debunked story of NASA buying ridiculously expensive pens is just too gratifying for some people to pass up.

world of weird things podcast: how dunning-kruger broke politics
# podcast

world of weird things podcast: how dunning-kruger broke politics

You certainly don't want to trample on people's self-esteem. But some people just seem to have way too much, and when they do, a lot of very bad things tend to happen.

wowt explains: what is a dyson sphere?
# space

wowt explains: what is a dyson sphere?

The massive structure designed to capture the energy of an entire star envisioned by Freeman Dyson is popular in science fiction. But can we build it? And have alien civilizations tried a similar idea?

why politically incorrect speech can boost politicians’ approval
# science

why politically incorrect speech can boost politicians’ approval

Politicians need to keep their voters happy and voters don't like to be offended. But it turns out, dishing out a little offense once in a while gives politicians a real edge.

wowt explains: what is a black hole?
# space

wowt explains: what is a black hole?

We know that black holes are bizarre. We know they exist. We even have a picture of one. But what exactly are they?

can we stave off global warming by blocking out the sun?
# tech

can we stave off global warming by blocking out the sun?

Politicians aren't in a hurry to lower emissions even as the world's temperature rises. Can we buy more time to fix the environment with a giant orbiting sunshade?

    newer articles
older articles