That is right this moment’s version of The Obtain, our weekday publication that gives a day by day dose of what’s happening on the planet of expertise.
Andrew Ng’s new mannequin allows you to mess around with photo voltaic geoengineering to see what would occur
AI pioneer Andrew Ng has launched a easy on-line device that enables anybody to tinker with the dials of a photo voltaic geoengineering mannequin, exploring what may occur if nations try to counteract local weather change by spraying reflective particles into the ambiance.
The idea of photo voltaic geoengineering was born from the conclusion that the planet has cooled after huge volcanic eruptions. However critics concern that intentionally releasing such supplies may hurt sure areas of the world, discourage efforts to chop greenhouse-gas emissions, or spark conflicts between nations, amongst different dangerous outcomes.
The objective of Ng’s emulator, referred to as Planet Parasol, is to ask extra folks to consider photo voltaic geoengineering, discover the potential trade-offs concerned in such interventions, and use the outcomes to debate and debate our choices for local weather motion. Learn the total story.
—James Temple
AI may very well be a sport changer for folks with disabilities
It’s regular, and possibly even sensible, to view rising applied sciences with skepticism. That’s very true as most new issues are constructed for almost all of individuals—which is to say folks with out disabilities.
Nevertheless, there are exceptions to the rule. A main instance is the iPhone, which had a comparatively massive display screen and a touch-based UI. And now, it appears AI may make these sorts of jumps in accessibility much more frequent throughout a wider vary of applied sciences. Learn the total story.
—Steven Aquino
This piece is from the subsequent print problem of MIT Know-how Overview, which lands on Wednesday August 28. It’s devoted to celebrating 125 years of the journal and guarantees to be a terrific learn. In the event you don’t already, subscribe now to get your copy.
Tech that measures our brainwaves is 100 years outdated. How will we be utilizing it 100 years from now?
It’s 100 years this week since EEG (electroencephalography) was first used to measure electrical exercise in an individual’s mind. The discovering was revolutionary. It helped folks perceive that epilepsy was a neurological dysfunction versus a character trait, for one factor (sure, actually).
The basics of EEG haven’t modified a lot during the last century—scientists and docs nonetheless put electrodes on folks’s heads to attempt to work out what’s happening inside their brains. However we’ve been capable of do much more with the knowledge that’s collected, from studying how we expect to diagnosing mind and listening to issues. So what extra may we be capable of do 100 years from now? Learn our story to seek out out.
—Jessica Hamzelou
This story is from The Checkup, our weekly publication all concerning the newest in well being and biotech. Join to obtain it in your inbox each Thursday.
The must-reads
I’ve combed the web to seek out you right this moment’s most enjoyable/necessary/scary/fascinating tales about expertise.
1 We aren’t prepared for the creep of AI into our cameras
Capabilities embedded within the newest Google Pixel handset will additional destroy our capability to consider what we see. (The Verge)
+ Is that this actually the route we wish to go in? (MIT Know-how Overview)
2 Kamala Harris’ marketing campaign has joined Twitch
In a bid to maintain attracting youthful voters. (Wired $)
+ In the meantime, Trump is launching some form of crypto platform. (CNBC)
+ And individuals are having lots of enjoyable remixing JD Vance’s ‘By no means Trump’ remark. (NYT $)
3 NASA is ready to resolve on Starliner’s return tomorrow
There’s quite a bit at stake, particularly for the 2 astronauts it’s set to ferry again from the ISS. (Ars Technica)
4 Contained in the loopy world of Palmer Luckey
Stressed, controversial and intelligent, the tech billionaire is a troublesome individual to pin down. (Pill)
5 There’s a brand new humanoid robotic on the town
Only one downside although: it doesn’t have legs (but.) (IEEE Spectrum)
+ A brand new system lets robots sense human contact with out synthetic pores and skin. (MIT Know-how Overview)
6 Can Ford wean America off its dependancy to massive vehicles?
It could be essential to transitioning to electrical automobiles, as heavier vehicles demand a lot extra of their batteries. (The Atlantic $)
+ Why larger EVs aren’t at all times higher. (MIT Know-how Overview)
7 Competitors for copper is extra intense than ever
Clear power is pushing up demand, and individuals are stealing, preventing and even dying to satisfy it. (Wired $)
8 Bored? Scrolling in your cellphone may make it worse
Perhaps we must always all attempt to get higher at tolerating the discomfort of boredom once in a while. (WP $)
+ A doubtful pattern for non-traditional pets is taking off on TikTok. (The Guardian)
9 Hydrogel can be taught to play Pong
Researchers now plan to see what else it may do too—possibly even assist management robots. (New Scientist $)
10 Now you can cross-post from Instagram to Threads
Although be careful: content material for one doesn’t at all times translate properly to the opposite. (TechCrunch)
+ Instagram’s additionally including a MySpace-esque ‘tune on profile’ function. (The Verge)
Quote of the day
“We chase the approval of strangers on our telephones. We construct all method of partitions and fences round ourselves after which marvel why we really feel so alone.”
—Former US President Barack Obama affords his prognosis of society’s ills to the Democratic Nationwide Conference, Politico reviews.
The massive story
This startup needs to seek out out if people can have infants in area
Regardless of the burgeoning curiosity in deep area exploration and settlement, we nonetheless know little or no about what occurs to our reproductive biology after we’re in orbit. Scientists have began to invest on whether or not in vitro fertilization expertise is feasible past Earth. That’s one thing SpaceBorn United, a biotech startup, is looking for to pioneer.
It plans to ship a mini lab on a rocket into low Earth orbit, the place in vitro fertilization, or IVF, will happen. If it succeeds, the corporate’s analysis may pave the best way for future area settlements. Learn the total story.
—Scott Solomon
We are able to nonetheless have good issues
A spot for consolation, enjoyable and distraction to brighten up your day. (Acquired any concepts? Drop me a line or tweet ’em at me.)
+ Metallica’s gig in Moscow in 1991 was one for the ages. You may watch the entire factor on-line too!
+ In the event you’ve been gripped by the necessity to do some summertime clearing out, right here’s how minimalists do it.
+ Please resist taking a photograph of your airport tray—you’re holding everybody up.
+ One of the vital intense zombie video video games has been given a makeover.