Why so controversial?: Geoengineering has long been a taboo subject among scientists, and some argue it should remain so. There are questions about the possible side effects on the environment and concerns that the impact will be felt unevenly around the world. Some think it’s too dangerous to ever try or even investigate, arguing that just talking about the possibility could weaken the need to address the underlying causes of climate change.
But is it progressing?: Despite concerns, as the threat of climate change mounts and major nations fail to make rapid progress on emissions, more experts are seriously examining the potential impact of these approaches. Read the full story.
– James Temple
The must reads
I’ve scoured the internet to find today’s funniest/important/scary/fascinating stories about technology.
1 Belief that AI lives refuses to die
People want to believe that the models are sentient, even when their creators deny this. (Reuters)
+ Unsurprisingly, wild religious beliefs are finding a home in Silicon Valley. (Voice)
+ AI systems are trained twice as fast as last year. (Spectrum IEEE)
2 The FBI has put the missing Cryptoqueen on its Most Wanted List
It is offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to Ruja Ignatova, whose crypto scheme has defrauded victims of more than $4 billion. (BBC)
+ A new documentary on the crypto Ponzi scheme is in the works. (Diversity)
3 Social Media Platforms Ignore Questionable Telemedicine Ads
This has played a role in the prescription drug abuse boom. (Protocol)
+ The doctor will now zoom you. (MIT Technology Review)
4 We are addicted to China’s lithium batteries
This is not good news for other countries building electric cars. (wired$)
+ This battery uses a new anode that lasts 20 times longer than lithium. (Spectrum IEEE)
+ Quantum batteries could theoretically allow us to drive a million miles between charges. (The Next Web)
5 Right-wing extremists communicate via radio in order not to be discovered
This makes it more difficult to monitor them and their violent activities. (slate $)
+ Many of the rioters who stormed the Capitol carried radios. (The guard)
6 Bro Culture has no place in space 🚀
So says NASA’s former deputy administrator, who is fed up with misogyny in the sector. (CNN)
7 A US Crypto Exchange Is Gaining Momentum In Venezuela
It’s helping its growing community fight hyperinflation, but it’s not as decentralized as you might think. (Rest of the world)
+ The vast majority of NFT players will be gone in a decade. (Voice)
+ Exchange Coinbase partners with ICE to track and identify crypto users. (The Interception)
+ If RadioShack’s outlandish tweets shock you, remember that they are now a crypto company. (NYMag)
8 It’s time we learned to love our swamps
Venting prevents them from absorbing CO2 and filtering out our waste. (New York $)
+ The architect makes friends with floods. (MIT Technology Review)
9 Robots also love to paint 🖍️
Although I bet they don’t get as frustrated as we do when they screw up. (Entry)
10 The Risky World of Teenage Brains
Making potentially dangerous decisions is an important part of adolescence, and our brains reflect that. (Magazine worth knowing)
quote of the Day
“They shamelessly throw an all-inclusive pool party while we can’t even pay our rent!”
