Surprising Science — April 3, 2010

iWant iPad

Ahead of Saturday’s iPad launch, CNN looks at Apple’s new computer to answer questions and distinguish it from other computers already in our homes and offices.

bigthinkeditor

A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

Ahead of Saturday’s iPad launch, CNN looks at Apple’s new computer to answer questions and distinguish it from other computers already in our homes and offices. “You’ve seen the television commercials and the product reviews. But maybe, like many gadget lovers, you’re still debating whether you really need this new touch-screen computer from Apple. To help you make sense of the hype, here are answers to 12 common questions about the iPad, Apple’s much-anticipated “slate” computer, which goes on sale Saturday. Buying an iPad? What will you do with it? Is there anything else you’d like to know? If so, please post in the comments section below and we’ll do our best to answer your questions.”

A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

Guest Thinkers

Apple Takes a Page From “Brave New World”

Why don’t people notice that Apple has no qualms pressuring the police to barge into the homes of journalists? Or that we are now automatically signed on with our Facebook ID on 50,000 websites, all of which have added this functionality just in the last week? No, we are too busy standing in line for hours to buy the iPad or checking if our Facebook friends like Lady Gaga as much as we do to take stock of what’s really happening behind the curtains.

Digital illustration of a DNA double helix in red and blue, set against a black background.

The Future

Can we automate science? Sam Rodriques is already doing it.

“We can build AI scientists that are better than we are… these systems can be superhuman,” says the FutureHouse co-founder.

A telescope beneath a colorful, abstract visualization of the universe, with a starry night sky in the background.

Hard Science

Einstein wins again: Exotic gravity theories take a blow from new observations

DESI has allowed astronomers to create an unprecedented 3D map of the Universe representing 20% of the entire sky.

Starts With A Bang

The Steady-State Universe: A viable alternative to the Big Bang?

For nearly 60 years, the hot Big Bang has been accepted as the best story of our cosmic origin. Could the Steady-State theory be possible?

Pixelated red human figure on a black grid background with blue symmetrical curves and white geometric shapes adjacent.

Hard Science

The Arecibo Message fifty years later

In November 1974, astronomers used the radio telescope at Puerto Rico’s Arecibo Observatory to send a hello to the universe.

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Surprising Science

Glut Tax

Romanians flocking to burger joints in their post-communist gorge may soon be subject to a junk food tax intended to reduce national obesity rates and fill government coffers.