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 ad astra is the breakup letter to space exploration
# podcast

world of weird things podcast: why ad astra is the breakup letter to space exploration

Advertised as a journey to the edge of space and our inner selves, Ad Astra is a tedious, scientifically inaccurate dive into a one-dimensional character's navel. Here's why it matters.

did we really discover the day that venus turned to hell?
# space

did we really discover the day that venus turned to hell?

A new study shows just how little we know about why Venus became the hothouse world it is today.

could space planes help fight global warming?
# tech

could space planes help fight global warming?

Planes capable of suborbital flights reducing emissions from air travel sounds absurd at first glance, but a lot more plausible when you consider the technology they plan to use.

world of weird things podcast: don’t trust your gut on probiotics
# podcast

world of weird things podcast: don’t trust your gut on probiotics

Probiotics are the next big health trend thanks to new discoveries about our gut biomes. But are we just buying a lot of hype?

world of weird things podcast: how does global warming make storms worse?
# podcast

world of weird things podcast: how does global warming make storms worse?

Are hurricanes and major storms getting more dangerous thanks to global warming or is that just what the news and pop culture tell us? The answer is a bit more complicated than you might think…

world of weird things podcast: how ignorant politicians could supercharge hackers
# podcast

world of weird things podcast: how ignorant politicians could supercharge hackers

If we compromise encryption standards used to secure almost everything we do electronically, we'll catch more criminals. But we'll also create millions more by giving them easy targets.

world of weird things podcast: are we getting our germs all over space?
# podcast

world of weird things podcast: are we getting our germs all over space?

A recent crash landing on the Moon was an astrobiologist's worst-case scenario, raising the question of whether we're just doomed to contaminate every world we'll ever touch.

world of weird things podcast: planes, trains, and automobiles (of the future)
# podcast

world of weird things podcast: planes, trains, and automobiles (of the future)

The Fishes debate the future of transportation and the likelihood that you'll be flying to work with your own, personal jetpack.

world of weird things podcast: is this the real life? is this just an alien simulation?
# podcast

world of weird things podcast: is this the real life? is this just an alien simulation?

According to some scientists, we may be stuck in some sort of alien version of The Matrix and never know it.

world of weird things podcast: greg accidentally builds baby skynet
# podcast

world of weird things podcast: greg accidentally builds baby skynet

Hide your kids, hide your wife, we're automating everybody out there!

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