Surprising Science — June 10, 2010

BP Spills Coffee (Video)

Lindsay Beyerstein

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UCB Comedy shows what happens when someone upends a cup of joe at BP HQ.

Photo credit: Flickr user TN Something Special Cakes, licensed under Creative Commons.

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

A healthcare worker wearing gloves administers an injection with a syringe into a person's upper arm, reminding us that when it comes to vaccines, do your own research and stay informed.

Starts With A Bang

What to know about vaccines in the do-your-own-research era

For centuries, vaccines have been the top life-saving, expert medical intervention known to humans. How can individuals make the right call?

A man wearing a beanie and dark clothing sits with one arm resting on his knee, inside a blue rectangular frame on a light background with abstract lines, embodying the cool, thoughtful vibe of King Willonius.

Books

The 6 books that changed King Willonius’ life

The comedian and musician behind the viral hit “BBL Drizzy” shares the books that shaped his thinking and approach to art.

A vintage-style illustration of a celestial scene, echoing science fiction by scientists, features a textured black planet and a whimsical moon with an eye, all enclosed in a pale green border against a starry background.

Books

5 classic science fiction novels written by scientists

What happens when scientists “write what they know”? Some amazing science fiction stories.

People in early 20th-century attire gather outside a building, as an intriguing green geometric pattern overlays the scene. This blend of classic and modern elements evokes the innovative spirit of AI art.

High Culture

The cinematograph, the “noematograph,” and the future of AI art

Hugo-winning author Ken Liu explores what early cinema and Chinese poetry can teach us about AI’s potential as a new artistic medium.

An illustration of a Martian Revolution showcases a colony with astronauts tending to plants in a greenhouse embedded in the surface, under a red sky with two suns.

The Future

Mike Duncan chronicles the history of the future Martian Revolution

Most people think that writing fantasy or science-fiction requires a strong imagination. Podcast host Mike Duncan shows a knowledge of real-world history is just as important.

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