Category Archives: The Modern World

Teen is one of the first ever to get his genes edited. Why he says the process is ‘cool and freaky’

Johnny Lubin, one of the first in the world to try a new kind of medicine that uses a gene-editing tool called CRISPR to offer a potential cure for sickle cell disease.

Scientists Say They’ve Discovered A New Human Organ

Quick! How many organs are there in the human body?
Don’t worry, I can’t remember, either. But whatever that number is, some scientists are proposing that we add one more to the list—a newly discovered system of fluid-filled tissue that goes throughout the body called the interstitium. And understanding it may open up brand-new options for treating everything from cancer to immune disorders to gum disease!

Zora Neale Hurston, Genius of the Harlem Renaissance

Writer, anthropologist, and life of the party, Zora Neale Hurston, was a key figure of the Harlem Renaissance. Read this “retrobituary” to learn about her life and death.

Are We Losing Too Much Sleep to Our Electronic Devices?

Did you know that most Americans sleep with some sort of electronic device in their rooms at night? Do you? Find out how this habit might be affecting your sleep.

A new device let a man sense temperature with his prosthetic hand

Researchers in Italy and Switzerland have developed a new device that makes it possible for a person with an amputation to sense temperature through their prosthetic hand. The technology is a major step toward prosthetic limbs that could restore a full range of senses, improving both the prosthesis’s usefulness and its acceptance by those who wear them.

These Chemists Cracked the Code to Long-Lasting Roman Concrete

Its formula long forgotten, the mystery of why Roman concrete remained strong over several millennia when more modern versions crumbled much faster has long baffled scientists and engineers. But now the secret of “self-healing” concrete has been rediscovered and it could lead to a construction revolution more than 2,000 years after it was first discovered.

Hollywood Writers Reached an A.I. Deal That Will Rewrite History

The Writer’s Guild of America (WGA) went on strike for 148 days this summer, demanding that studios put guardrails around AI’s encroachment on their work. The effects of their new contract will echo in industries far beyond Hollywood.

What is the Future of Communication?

There was a time when there was no written language and almost all communication was spoken. Even when language evolved, it was often written on stone and not very portable until the invention of paper. History is full of such advances. Even the now ubiquitous smartphone was thought to be science fiction just a couple of decades ago. But have you ever asked yourself what advances may come next?

Dark patterns, the tricks websites use to make you say yes, explained

With the advent of more “personalized” ad experiences and the increasing value of personal data, companies have dirty tricks up their sleeves to manipulate users.

5 Biggest Risks of Sharing Your DNA with Consumer Genetic-Testing Companies

Nearly 50 million people have used consumer genetic-testing services to have their personal DNA analyzed to learn more about their ancestry, their risk for developing various diseases, or to find long-lost relatives. While there are many upsides, there are risks, as well. This article walks you through five of biggest risks when sending your DNA off to be tested.

Adventures in 21st Century Copyright — AI-generated comic artwork loses US Copyright protection

It seems artificial intelligence is everywhere these days, and the world of art is no exception. This has led to many questions, such as “can AI-generated art be copyrighted?” Courts have started to weigh-in and so far, the answer seems to be that machine generated art should not get the same protections as human-created images.

Why First Amendment still matters to students

At age 13, Mary Beth Tinker wore a black armband to school and ended up in court over her freedom of speech. Now, 48 years later, Tinker is traveling the country to talk to students about their first amendment rights.

How America’s Leading Science Fiction Authors Are Shaping Your Future

Writer Eileen Gunn explores the pessimistic or optimistic views of science fiction authors and how their stories influence real scientists.

Can the World’s First Space Sweeper Make a Dent in Orbiting Debris?

Space trash is another manmade pollutant humans must address before it is too late. Read about one company’s efforts.

What We Learned from 5 Million Books

Face it: we’re so overloaded with information that none of us can digest much of it. However, in this TED talk, Jean-Baptiste Michel and Erez Lieberman Aiden present ideas about what we can do—with the five million books and 500 billion words available online today. What do they reveal about who we were, are, and are becoming? Watch the video; then navigate to the site recommended by the speakers. Discover for yourself what five million books have to say!

Banks Warned That Crypto Could Replace Dollar Within Five Years

Is cryptocurrency a fad or here to stay? Read about recent survey results that say it’s not only here to stay, but dollars may become a thing of the past.

Killer robots? Get real. It’ll be easier for AI to just erase our minds and steal our bodies

Have you ever stopped to think that the robot uprising could potentially be more terrifying than certain death? Read this op-ed to learn more about this writer’s thoughts about the future.

Worldcoin wants to give you cryptocurrency — in exchange for scanning your eyeballs

Would you take cryptocurrency in exchange for your personal biometric data? Is this a massive privacy breach or the high-tech future of equity? Read to learn more about the pros and cons.