While robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) promise great advances in productivity, mostly they seem to worry people. Commentators talk and write endlessly about how these marvelous technologies will steal jobs from both workers and the managerial class, creating a large unemployed population. If history has anything to say, however, and it does, such fears are not only... Continue Reading →

There’s an artificial intelligence system that can peer into the future and anticipate what you’re about to do. No, we’re not talking about anything like Roko’s Basilisk — it can’t travel through time or take over the world (at least not yet). Instead, fortune-telling AI can only guess what someone will do within the next few minutes.... Continue Reading →

Particles collected from Earth's upper atmosphere, originally deposited by comets, are older than our Solar System, scientists say – and these fine bits of interstellar dust could teach us about how planets and stars form from the very beginning. These cosmic particles have lived through at least 4.6 billion years and travelled across incredible distances,... Continue Reading →

If you take Prilosec or Zantac for acid reflux, a beta blocker for high blood pressure, or Xanax for anxiety, you may be increasing your risk of depression. More than 200 common medications sold in the U.S. include depression as a potential side effect. Sometimes, the risk stems from taking several drugs at the same... Continue Reading →

An exploration of what it would like if the medical industry practiced a more patient-first mentality. Watch here: https://www.ted.com/playlists/449/let_s_redesign_the_medical_exp

The state of Florida failed to conduct national background checks on tens of thousands of applicants looking to procure a concealed weapon permit for more than a year, and the reason is about as dumb as it gets: the person in charge of performing the checks forgot their login information. An Office of Inspector General... Continue Reading →

A team of scientists claims to have discovered a cheaper way to extract carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and turn it into gasoline or other fuels, which could arm humanity with a new tool in the fight against climate change. Published in the scientific journal Joule on Thursday, the research demonstrates a new technique that... Continue Reading →

Leading pizza company Domino's Pizza revealed a unique campaign that will see the firm fix potholes for cities around the US. The initiative called "Paving for Pizza" is calling for customers to nominate their cities to qualify for the road repairs. Losing pizzas to potholes "Have you ever hit a pothole and instantly cringed? We... Continue Reading →

Over the past decade, marijuana legalization has happened at break-neck speed at the state and local level. And yet, pot-related reforms have moved glacially at the federal level, especially since prohibitionist Jeff Sessions was confirmed as attorney general. But his staunch opposition and attempt to roll back Obama-era protections for local marijuana businesses has actually... Continue Reading →

A variety of single-use plastic items could be banned in Europe to help reduce marine pollution. The European Commission is seeking approval to ban 10 different plastic products, including fishing gear. Ultimately, the goal is use plastics more responsibly and enforces producers to help in the cleanup efforts. The European Commission will need approval of... Continue Reading →