Guest Thinkers — August 16, 2010

For Second Straight Week, Edwards’ Affair Ranks as #4 Most Talked About News Story

At the end of July, I predicted that the Edwards affair might turn out to be the dominant news story for August. It turns out I was wrong, but very close, and it was only a very strategic and effective crisis communication effort on the part of Edwards that helped stave off a media tsunami.

Still as Pew reports , despite Edwards best attempts to downplay attention, his affair for the second straight week remained the #4 most covered news story filling 4% of the newshole and trailing only the Olympics at 14% of total coverage, the general election at 22%, and the invasion of Georgia at 26% of the news hole.

Strange Maps

America’s news deserts are growing

Most counties in the U.S. have only one local newspaper, often one that publishes weekly instead of daily.

Two people walking past a dark brick wall with numerous security cameras pointing in various directions.

The Present

Are smart cities a wise idea?

When Google runs a smart city, who owns the data?

Illustration of a young woman with closed eyes, smiling, next to a large, detailed eye and surrounded by vibrant, abstract elements and smiley faces.

Neuropsych

Eyes wide shut: Why closing your eyes intensifies psychedelic trips

A recent study suggests that exposure to visual stimuli can diminish the effects of psychedelic drugs.

Starts With A Bang

The big idea of Grand Unified Theories of physics

If the electromagnetic and weak forces unify to make the electroweak force, maybe, at higher energies, something even grander happens?

Microscopic image of a small electronic component with clear details of its structure and connections against a gray background.

The Future

Making microbots smart

What would it take to create a truly intelligent microbot, one that can operate independently?

Up Next

Guest Thinkers

Gore at the Democratic Convention: Does He Send Mixed Messages about Climate Change and Partisanship?

One image of Gore: A partisan activist and leader.CNN reports this afternoon that Al Gore will have a major speaking slot at the Democratic convention, joining Obama on stage the […]