All Videos — March 30, 2011

Trees That Bleed Oil

A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

The promise of biotechnology is essentially limitless, says Silver, describing biotech “bad boy” Craig Venter’s plan to engineer trees that create liquid fuel instead of sap.

A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

A person holds a smartphone and a book with an ornate cover, clasped together in both hands.

The Present

Silicon Valley’s obsession with AI looks a lot like religion

The tech world’s fixation on artificial intelligence has spawned beliefs and rituals that resemble religion — complete with digital deities, moral codes, and threats of damnation.

Starts With A Bang

The secret reason the USA beat the USSR to the Moon

Sixty years ago, the Soviet Union was way ahead of the USA in the space race. Then one critical event changed everything.

Golden wheat field under a bright blue sky with sunlight streaming in from the left.

The Present

Biofuels: feeding the earth or feeding the engine?

Around the world, biofuels, so-called green energy sources, are waving major red flags.

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.

The Present

Microplastic overload: Is cutting production the only realistic way to curb pollution?

On November 25, U.N. members will meet in South Korea to cap off a series of meetings aiming to reduce global plastic pollution.

Up Next

All Videos

Why Energy Independence Is So Crucial

President Obama announced a plan to cut dependence on foreign oil by one-third by 2021. Retired four-star general Wesley Clark explains just how detrimental our addiction to oil is and […]