Guest Thinkers — December 21, 2010

Al-‘Ujayri’s Mother

A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

Also for those interested in videos, you can watch al-‘Ujayri’s mother on a new program on Yemeni television.

A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

A grand, ornate setting with three figures in flowing attire standing before a large, luminous circular window overlooking a vibrant cityscape.

Why we need a better Turing test for AI art

With no reliable way to discern the author of an artwork, we may eventually abandon the question of whether something was made by humans or not.

Two scientists in lab coats and gloves examine a small transparent plate with colorful dots, held by tweezers, in a laboratory setting.

The Future

The big problems driving nanotech development

It’s been 65 years since Richard Feynman saw “plenty of room” in the nano-world. Are we finally getting down there?

A smartphone with a red case displays a world map on the screen, set against a vibrant orange background.

Health

Dr. AI will see you now

The integration of artificial intelligence into public health could have revolutionary implications for the global south—if only it can get online.

Yellow and black bird perched on a thin branch surrounded by green leaves.

The Present

How tech is turning science into a hobby

Off-the-shelf consumer technology is helping people pursue their interests — and advancing science at the same time.

Grayscale image showing a flying object captured on radar screen with various data markings.

13.8

New UFO hearings continue an “endless loop” of sensation

Astronomer Adam Frank asks: With so many extraordinary claims, why can’t anybody produce the proof?

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Tuesday Papers: or Al-Qaeda sentencing guidelines

Al-Sharq al-Awsat and al-Quds al-Arabi both devote their coverage of Yemen to yesterday’s death sentence handed down to the six al-Qaeda suspects. Following the sentencing it seems as though the […]