Guest Thinkers — December 21, 2010

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Just as an FYI to our vast readership, in the interest of fairness Waq al-Waq would like to invite anyone we disagree with or critcize by name to please email us and we will show your unedited reply in a seperate post. That’s only for people with whom we argue- the rest of you are still relegated to the ghetto of the comment section.

The most surprising and impactful new stories delivered to your inbox every week, for free.

A retro computer displays a ghost on the screen as pixelated chains drift across the foreground, reminiscent of a scene from a Ken Liu short story. This digital haunt unfolds against a vivid orange background.

High Culture

“The gods will not be chained”: A short story by Ken Liu

The first in a series of short stories by the Hugo- and Nebula-winning author that inspired the cult hit “Pantheon.”

Yellow background with halftone globe and bold text: "The Great Progression 2025-2050.

The Future

What is The Great Progression: 2025 to 2050?

Tech expert Peter Leyden argues that we have a historic opportunity to harness AI and other transformative technologies in order to make a much better world over the next 25 years.

Map of Europe overlaid with an image of a contemplative monkey, set against a dark blue grid background.

Thinking

Is philosophy too Western for its own good?

Whether we should tear down philosophy’s Berlin Wall and let East and West finally merge depends entirely on what we think philosophy is—and what it’s for.

A collage featuring hands holding a plant, additional hands in sepia tone, a grid background, orange accents, and the text "Reclaim Meaning" with the number 4.

Thinking

How to reclaim meaning in a changing world

What if the barrier to a fulfilled life isn’t technology but culture?

The Future

Can humans purge the bots without sacrificing our privacy?

“Personhood” credentials could cleanse the internet of bots — but are the costs worth it?

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Tuesday Papers (Late Edition)

Al-Ghad is finally out, and the paper is reporting about potential threats to oil facilities in Aden. This is of particular concern to a number of people, and there is […]