Category Archives: The Modern World

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.

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.

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.

Growing Up Colored

Henry Louis Gates describes what it was like to grow up as an African American in a West Virginia town in the 1950s.

The rice of the sea: how a tiny grain could change the way humanity eats

Chef Ángel León is on a mission to change the way we see oceans. Read about his gastronomical innovations.

Virtual reality tourism ready for takeoff as travellers remain grounded

Could virtual reality lead to a more sustainable version of tourism and a safe way to “travel” during the pandemic? Read to learn more about the possibilities.

Beyond the silver screen: a look at the vibrant history of Harlem’s Black film scene

Read about the history of the thriving Harlem film scene from the Harlem Renaissance to the present day.

Farming on Mars will be a lot harder than ‘The Martian’ made it seem

Through a series of experiments, scientists have determined that farming on Mars is more science fiction than science without significant alterations to Martian soil.

Former NASA Scientist Predicts “Gold Rush” in Space

Just like the California Gold Rush spurred people to flock to California in search of a fortune, Sailesh Ramakrishnan predicts that companies and investors will make a mad dash to the space sector.

10 Steps To Conquering Information Overload

Learn about a few ways people can de-clutter their minds at work.

What Does The Future Look Like Post-Coronavirus – 9 Future Predictions

Bernard Marr, a futurist, offers his opinion on changes he expects to see in a post-COVID-19 world. Read the article to see if you agree with his insights.

How a History Textbook Would Describe 2020 So Far

How might students in the future learn about the pivotal year of 2020? Read one historian’s chapter, written when the year was only half over.

The Great Staycation – How the Coronavirus Pandemic Could Push a Rapid Transition to Creative Domestic Holidays

Current events are changing the landscape of vacations as we know them. Enter the rise of the “staycation.” Read more about creative vacation opportunities.

On Stephen Hawking, Vader, and Being More Machine Than Human

In this article, author and anthropologist Helene Mialet analyzes the relationship between humans and machines as it existed for scientist Stephen Hawking.

How did the advent of television impact politics?

In today’s media-saturated political climate, it’s hard to imagine a world in which in news about government policies, court cases, and elected officials was relegated to print news sources. Read this article to learn about some of the ways in which television has impacted American politics.