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.


laser coffee, coming soon to a café near you?
# science

laser coffee, coming soon to a café near you?

Scientists figured out how to make cold brew coffee in a matter of minutes with laser pulses.

where is planet nine hiding? and does it actually exist?
# science

where is planet nine hiding? and does it actually exist?

Yet another study promising to help us find a planet beyond the orbit of Pluto fails. So, where exactly is Planet Nine? And why haven’t we found it?

the cosmic buffet: are black holes snacking on neutron stars?
# space

the cosmic buffet: are black holes snacking on neutron stars?

A new simulation says that black holes are eating neutron stars and lighting up our telescopes with mysterious bursts of energy.

the future climate warlords of northern california
# politics

the future climate warlords of northern california

A far right militia butting into wildfire cleanup efforts is a dark sign of things to come if we don’t fight the climate crisis.

why milk may not actually be good for you
# health

why milk may not actually be good for you

Many humans can drink milk long after they start eating solid food. But science is still not sure if they should.

why inclusive language can be so much work, according to science
# science

why inclusive language can be so much work, according to science

When people go out of their way to avoid backlash, it taxes the mind. Now, researchers want to know how to make inclusivity easier on the brain.

we were warned: how scientists and engineers predicted today’s chaos
# politics

we were warned: how scientists and engineers predicted today’s chaos

Today the world seems like it’s suddenly unraveling. But experts have been warning us this day would come for many decades.

how an a.i. could churn out millions of bioweapons, and how we’d fight back
# tech

how an a.i. could churn out millions of bioweapons, and how we’d fight back

Don’t worry about the AI, worry about the humans training it, say researchers who found out how easy it is to turn machines evil.

why wowt (still) can’t quit facebook
# tech

why wowt (still) can’t quit facebook

Facebook is still horrible. But for the time being, it’s indispensable for getting the word for just about anything out.

yes, all these heat waves are actually very bad
# science

yes, all these heat waves are actually very bad

Don’t ignore the media attention to worldwide heatwaves. They’re a warning sign of why we can’t handle climate change.

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