Tech Trends
Alexa and her friends know you all too well
But does Amazon know when you're tired or hungry?
What is technology addiction? (And how you can better manage it)
To reap the benefits of digital technologies, we must contend with their addictive designs.
What Nietzsche can teach us about embracing risk and failure in an age of technological comforts
Safety through technology is no bad thing—Nietzsche himself sought doctors and medicines throughout his life—but it can become pathological.
A clock beats inside the heart of every atom
Every timekeeping device works via a version of a pendulum — even the atomic clocks that are accurate to nanoseconds.
An optimized solution for face recognition
“We didn’t build anything face-ish into our network [but] managed to segregate themselves without being given a face-specific nudge.”
Synthetic media: How AI-generated characters spread disinformation
AI-generated photos, also known as synthetic media, are being used to create fake experts and journalists to spread disinformation.
How an accidental discovery made this year could change the world
A lucky discovery involving lithium-sulfur batteries has a legitimate chance to revolutionize how we power our world.
An old satellite was hacked to broadcast signals across North America
"Dead" satellites aren't just space junk. They are also targets for hackers to hijack and use to broadcast misinformation.
In 1903, New York Times predicted that airplanes would take 10 million years to develop
Only nine weeks later, the Wright Brothers achieved manned flight. The pathologically cynical always will find a reason to complain.
Why the metaverse can’t exist without a blockchain
If the metaverse is money, then companies will certainly want to play, too.
The problem with social media is not content but its distortion of reality
Social media distorts the reality of the public sphere.
Javelin missiles: Thank DARPA for Ukraine’s success against Russian tanks
Javelin missiles have been an effective force multiplier, the latter-day equivalent of the sling that David used against Goliath.
How pulling out of Russia’s internet could further isolate its citizens
Russia has spent years exploring the viability of building a self-contained internet. It could soon become reality.
Elon Musk’s Starlink in Ukraine helps destroy Russian tanks
Spotty connectivity isn’t going to jeopardize Ukraine’s drone attacks.
Drones and AI recover a meteorite for the first time
Aerial drone footage was sent to an AI trained to track down space rocks.
Russia’s cyberattacks foreshadow the future of war
Russia's cyberattacks against Ukraine have been prolific and ongoing for several years. The future of war may begin in cyberspace.
GUI: Some doubted, even Woz
Graphical user interfaces are how most of us interact with computers, from iPhones to laptops. But they were once condemned as making students lazy and destroying the art of writing.
Could 5G cause airplanes to crash?
In general, 5G is not a threat to human health or activities, but there are some legitimate questions about interference with airplane instruments.
Why Germany is a blank spot on Google’s Street View
There are good historical reasons why Germans are suspicious of surveillance.
Techno-optimism and the rule-of-threes: why the world will soon enter an era of mass flourishing
Historically, periods of mass flourishing are underpinned by technological revolutions. Currently, we are undergoing a technological revolution unlike anything the world has ever seen.
Is a lack of creativity already ruining the metaverse?
With this unique opportunity to create a totally new world, why does the metaverse already feature such old-world concepts?
“Hey, Alexa! Are you trustworthy?”
The more social behaviors a voice-user interface exhibits, the more likely people are to trust it, engage with it, and consider it to be competent.
Psychology of Wordle: Why are people addicted to this viral word game?
Wordle activates both the language and logic parts of our brain and give us a nice boost of dopamine, whether we win or lose.
Have chess computers destroyed the game?
What was once an art form has been drained of color and personality by ruthless algorithms. Can we make chess human again?
Havana syndrome: CIA casts doubt on whether directed-energy attacks are causing strange illnesses
Some U.S. intelligence operatives have suggested foreign adversaries may be using "directed-energy" weapons against Americans.
Genesis Machine: Synthetic biology will allow us to program living organisms like computers
The book "The Genesis Machine" outlines the promise and peril of synthetic biology, a powerful tool that will allow us to program life like a computer.
VR vs. AR vs. MR vs. XR: What’s the difference?
It's no longer just VR vs. AR. There is an alphabet soup of metaverse acronyms, often used imprecisely. So, what do they all mean?
How cybercriminals turn paper checks stolen from mailboxes into bitcoin
Someone breaks into a mailbox that stores letters waiting to be sent and grabs some of them in hopes they’ll contain a check that’s been filled in. That's just the start.
Habitat for Humanity builds 3D-printed house in 28 hours
Made from concrete, it cost 15% less per square foot to construct than a typical house.