Philosopher argues that mindfulness rests on dubious philosophical foundations
Recent years have seen an explosive growth in mindfulness, which has been adapted from Buddhist meditation practices. In schools, health services and workplaces, different forms of therapy based on mindfulness are on offer, and meditation apps such a.....»»
Politicians must be held to account for mishandling the pandemic
Politicians around the world must be held to account for mishandling the COVID-19 pandemic, argues a senior editor at The BMJ today......»»
OpenAI"s GPT-3 Speaks! (Kindly Disregard Toxic Language)
Ready or not, powerful text-generation AI will soon be assuming roles of customer service reps and video game characters Last September, a data scientist named Vinay Prabhu was playing around with an app called Philosopher AI. The app provide.....»»
Paving the way for effective field theories
Over the past century, a wide variety of models have emerged to explain the complex behaviors which unfold within atomic nuclei at low energies. However, these theories bring up deep philosophical questions regarding their scientific value. Indeed, t.....»»
New Study: A Zero-Emissions America is Now Pretty Cheap
"Until recently, it was unclear whether variable renewable energy, nuclear, or fossil fuel with carbon capture and storage would become the main form of generation in a decarbonized electricity system," argues a recently-published analysis titled Car.....»»
Archaeologist argues the Chumash Indians were using highly worked shell beads as currency 2,000 years ago
As one of the most experienced archaeologists studying California's Native Americans, Lynn Gamble knew the Chumash Indians had been using shell beads as money for at least 800 years......»»
Corporations directing our attention online more than we realize
It's still easy to think we're in control when browsing the internet, but a new study argues much of that is 'an illusion.' Corporations are 'nudging' us online more than we realize, and often in hidden ways. Researchers analyzed click-stream data on.....»»
Four steps for Earth: A holistic approach to saving the planet
This decade must be the turning point, where we transform humanity's relationship with nature and put the planet on a path to recovery, argues a global team of researchers in a paper published today [Friday 22 Jan] outlining a new framework for imple.....»»
Are Experts Underselling the Effectiveness of Covid-19 Vaccines?
David Leonhardt won a Pulitzer Prize for commentary in 2011. This week in a New York Times newsletter, he argues that early in the pandemic experts around the world mistakenly discouraged mask use because of "a concern that people would rush to buy h.....»»
Treasury nominee Yellen is looking to curtail use of cryptocurrency
Yellen argues many cryptocurrencies are used "mainly for illicit financing." Enlarge / Janet Yellen, Joe Biden's nominee to be Secretary of the Treasury, at a December press conference. (credit: Alex Wong/Getty Images) Cryptocurrencies could c.....»»
Online Far-Right Movements Fracture, as "Gullible" QAnon Supporters Criticized
"Online far-right movements are splintering," argues NBC News: Users on forums that openly helped coordinate the Jan. 6 riot and called for insurrection...have become increasingly agitated with QAnon supporters, who are largely still in denial that.....»»
What does marketing have to do with ill-advised consumer behavior?
Researchers from University of Hawaii and University of Florida published a new paper in the Journal of Marketing that argues that a biological account of human behavior, especially undesirable behavior, will benefit human welfare. This biological pe.....»»
Physicists get closer to examining the symmetries underlying our universe
Every field has its underlying principles. For economics it's the rational actor; biology has the theory of evolution; modern geology rests on the bedrock of plate tectonics......»»
LED Lit Felted Mushrooms
Practice “slow making” and mindfulness while needle-felting, then sew on a light to complete the magical experience Read more on MAKE The post LED Lit Felted Mushrooms appeared first on Make: DIY Projects and Ideas for Makers......»»
Python Named Programming Language of the Year by "Somewhat Dubious" TIOBE Index
Programming columnist Mike Melanson describes the announcement of this year's programming language of the year: The TIOBE Index, the somewhat dubious ranking of programming language popularity according to search engine results, has announced its ye.....»»
Fighting food insecurity during a global pandemic
As the COVID-19 pandemic cripples food systems worldwide, governments must evolve and cooperate to heal the crisis, Johns Hopkins Professor Jessica Fanzo argues in a recent Nature op-ed......»»
Future MacBooks could have wireless charging built into their palm rests
Apple patents suggest the use of two-way charging coils in places like the trackpad, palm rest, as well as rear casing of MacBook laptops......»»
In a parting gift, EPA finalizes rules to limit its use of science
On its way out, the Trump administration makes things harder for the next one. Enlarge / BARATARIA BAY, Lousiana - JULY 14: A young seagull rests on a boom used to contain the oil spill July 14, 2010. In the future, should this bird be killed b.....»»
Has "The Mandalorian" on Disney+ Redeemed the Star Wars Universe?
Today a staff writer at Salon argues "The Mandalorian" has redeemed the Star Wars universe: The Disney+ series "The Mandalorian" has been both a critical triumph and commercial success. In my judgment, it's the most compelling live-action story in t.....»»
Scientists and Philosopher Team Up, Propose a New Way To Categorize Minerals
An anonymous reader shares a report: Some diamonds were formed billions of years ago in space as the carbon-rich atmospheres of dying stars expanded and cooled. In our own planet's lifetime, high-temperatures and pressures in the mantle produced the.....»»
Scientists and philosopher team up, propose a new way to categorize minerals
A diamond lasts forever, but that doesn't mean all diamonds have a common history......»»