February 25, 2014

Jetpack Rocket Science

A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

Ever wonder how jetpacks work? The motorcycles of tomorrow may not be populating the skies just yet, but you can test drive a jetpack. There’s a famous jetpack instructor who teaches lessons, and there are also fun courses for the adventurous in Southern California.

In this video, Veritasium breaks down the physics of jetpacks and simplifies the rocket science.

Image credit: Key West Wedding Photography/Flickr

A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

A detailed, colorful brain visualization with intricate patterns of green, blue, and yellow on a dark background.

Neuropsych

The most detailed brain map ever

Scientists have created a magnificent portrait of every connection among neurons in a fruit fly’s brain.

Animated characters observe a family walking in a snowy scene through a viewing screen, inside a control room.

Thinking

Everyday Philosophy: Is there such a thing as a “negative emotion”?

There’s little more infuriating in the world than being told to “calm down” when you’re in the midst of a simmering grump.

Starts With A Bang

Ask Ethan: Is antigravity even possible?

Humans, when we consider space travel, recognize the need for gravity. Without our planet, is artificial or antigravity even possible?

World map highlighting the Brandt Line, dividing the Global North and Global South across continents.

Strange Maps

The Brandt Line gave us the Global North and South. It needs an update.

In 1980, Willy Brandt drew a line across the map that still influences how we think about the world.

Collage with a rocket launch, raised hand, SpaceX text, blueberries, and circuitry against a gray background with "THE NIGHT CRAWLER" text—echoing the intense atmosphere of chip wars.

Business

Inside the world’s most important company

Welcome to The Nightcrawler — a weekly newsletter from Eric Markowitz covering tech, innovation, and long-term thinking.

Up Next

De-Mystifying Houdini’s Mysterious Death

Harry Houdini survived many dangerous feats, including being trapped in a box underwater. To add to the Houdini myth, the great dare-devil died on Halloween. What finally did him in?: […]