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.


why black holes have magnetic storms like stars
# space

why black holes have magnetic storms like stars

New observations of the center of our galaxy have, for the first time, revealed hotspots in the disk of chaotic gas orbiting our Milky Way’s supermassive black hole.

world of weird things podcast: mars
# podcast

world of weird things podcast: mars

We’re about to learn some new and exciting things about Mars, and we preview what some of them might be.

how do you solve an enigma like the sentinelese?
# science

how do you solve an enigma like the sentinelese?

The world’s most remote and least contacted tribe wants to be left alone, and they’ll use lethal force to make sure of it. But what happens if that contact is accidental?

when scientists explore the dark side of meditation with buddhist monks
# health

when scientists explore the dark side of meditation with buddhist monks

Researchers want you to know that immersing yourself in your own mind isn’t all sunshine and enlightenment.

why we haven’t actually doubled our lifespans
# health

why we haven’t actually doubled our lifespans

A common refrain says that we live twice as long as our ancestors while it’s our life expectancy that’s increased, not our lifespan. And that difference is extremely important to keep in mind.

we can make online voting safe and secure. but why should we?
# tech

we can make online voting safe and secure. but why should we?

Voting online would be easy and convenient for millions of voters. But won’t solve big problems and we already have an almost equally convenient way to cast your ballot.

how to have a happy, (figuratively) toxin-free holiday season
# politics

how to have a happy, (figuratively) toxin-free holiday season

Thanksgiving marks the start of the winter holidays and the dread associated with having to deal with relatives and family friends you rather wouldn’t...

why water could kill life on mars
# astrobiology

why water could kill life on mars

We think of water as the most essential ingredient for life, but as a recent discovery shows, it can also be toxic to living things in alien environments

world of weird things podcast: cyber weapons
# podcast

world of weird things podcast: cyber weapons

Killer drones and hackable weapons and easy targets for spies, oh my...

when climate change contrarians actually have a point
# science

when climate change contrarians actually have a point

A recent paper with a grim notice about the planet’s warming oceans was wrong according to a climate change contrarian. Its authors agree.

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