Latest

A recent paper published in Nature Geoscience claims that we’re overprotecting Mars from biological contamination. Authors Alberto Fairén and Dirk Schulze-Makuch argue that planetary protection policies should be reevaluated because they’re actually preventing more ambitious plans to help us find signs of life on Mars and other planets. Image: NASA/JPL.

The Ace Hotel’s Founder Left Behind a Legacy of Building Neighborhoods

Last Friday, Ace Hotel founder Alex Calderwood was found dead in London, where the chain had just opened its fifth location. He’s being remembered today as a design visionary, the leader of a cultural phenomenon. But his role was also that of a city-builder, reaching far outside hotel walls to build community and instill a…

This is what a high speed turn in a US Navy destroyer looks like

I love this photo by U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Shane A. Jackson: sailors standing aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Bulkeley during a turn at full speed. It’s crazy to think that a 509-foot-long beast that displaces 9,200 tons can make such high-speed maneuvers. For reference: And here’s a video:

Butterfly Knife Utensils For Badass Brunchers

The next time someone scoffs at your suggestion of going to brunch, you can whip out this pair of unbelievably awesome butterfly knife utensils, perform a few flashy tricks, and remind them it’s a meal to be taken as seriously as breakfast and lunch. Made from almost half a pound of stainless steel each, this…

Google only has to pay $17 million for tracking people without their knowledge. The search giant just agreed to the sum to settle allegations from 37 states (and DC) that it added cookies to users’ computers without consent. Google stopped short of admitting to wrong-doing, though.

This week: Why we need real neighborhoods! Keeping L.A.’s transit momentum alive! Americans may have reached “peak car”! Daylighting rivers! And a ghost town you can call your very own! What’s the role of the neighborhood in today’s globalized city? Tom Vanderbilt explores why we still need a sense of belonging somewhere local [Wilson Quarterly…

The most inspiring nature photography of the year

‘Tis the season to be sorting through the most stunning images of the year. And as always, National Geographic’s yearly contest offers some of the best that nature photography has to offer. Take a look at our favorites. Top: Fight: Praying mantises in Kahramanmaras, Turkey. By Mehmet Karaca. Last year’s contest produced some incredible photos,…

My Breathtaking Ride From Earth to the International Space Station

The rumble of power just got stronger and more insistent as we heard the countdown in Russian through our headsets and then, “Pusk.” Liftoff. It was a very different sensation than my two Shuttle launches, much more gradual and linear as the vehicle burned off enough fuel to lighten for liftoff. The initial acceleration didn’t…

What’s the Ink in a Standard Rollerball Pen Made Of?

You probably have no idea where the ink in your pen comes from, much less whether it’s a simple factory process or demanding of more expertise. Josh Velson, a chemical engineering consultant for bio and petrochemicals, has your answer. Standard rollerball ink is made from particles of carbon black, a pigment substance. These particles are…

Nolan mounted a camera to the nose of a Lear jet for Interstellar

Chris Nolan affixed a massive IMAX camera to the nose of a Learjet for his next movie Interstellar. This is going to look like nothing we’ve ever seen before. Interstellar was written by Nolan’s brother Jonathan, and was originally planned to be directed by Steven Spielberg. It stars Matthew McConaughey, John Lithgow, and Jessica Chastain…

The Grim Secret Behind Qatar’s Lavish New Stadiums: Human Rights Abuse

Don’t hate Zaha Hadid’s new World Cup stadium because it looks like a vagina. Hate it because it’ll likely be built with “modern-day slavery,” according to a new Amnesty International report. https://jezebel.com/qatars-new-world-cup-stadium-will-look-like-a-giant-va-1466640033 The internet was aflame this weekend over new renderings of Al Wakrah Stadium, a 45,000-seat venue destined for the desert outside of Doha.…

The CW is really, really liking The Flash TV show

The Flash TV show must be looking good, because The CW just decreed that the scarlet speedster will get a stand-alone pilot, and not the “back-door pilot” he was previously given. This means that the Flash pilot will be presented as the first episode of The Flash TV show, instead of getting tucked in as…

HipShotDot Gives You Laser Sight Precision in Every FPS Situation

For some gamers, online achievements are even more important than real-world reputation. And the HipShotDot—a small red LED you stick in the middle of your screen—could be the first accessory marketed to FPS players that promises to improve their in-game performance without the use of dangerous levels of caffeine. How does it work? Well, most…

D&D’s Sundering campaign becomes a cold war in Icewind Dale

The epic Dungeons & Dragons event The Sundering sunders on with a new in-store RPG campaign, a novel by Erin M. Evans, and the Arena of War app. Check out this icy new Sundering video trailer. The Sundering is a massive event reshaping the Forgotten Realms. Most of it is unfolding in a multi-author novel…

​Almost Human goes back to the 1980s future

Do you like Robocop? Blade Runner? Demolition Man? Alien Nation? Total Recall? And countless other police drama-esque science fiction movies from the ’80s? Then you’ll love Almost Human, which is an unapologetic pastiche of the genre, updated to reflect 21st century post-human politics and fears of pharmaceutical terrorism. Whether you like Almost Human or not…

Tepco Removes First Fukushima Fuel Rods, Finally Gets Something Right

TEPCO workers successfully removed the first fuel rods from the damaged reactors at the Fukushima Dai-ichi plant and transferred them into portable casks on Monday. Those who have been following the follies of the power company should be pleased that a meltdown did not occur. These are just the first of many fuel rods that…

Apple just released the first beta version of iOS 7.1. It looks like it contains your usual bug fixes and performance enhancements, but if you see anything else worth mentioning, chime in below! Apple TV users can also pick up a new software beta that tests out AirPlay functionality. Developers, head over to the Dev…

People Are Identifying Themselves In These 1980s Mall Photos

“So your gonna think this sounds crazy but im sooo sure that im the guy in picture 11 on the article,” read the email that photographer Michael Galinsky received from Jamie Rutina. “You cant see my face cuz im looking down at something, but I know its me, the hair is mine, the coat, the…

How much was Isaac Asimov involved in Asimov’s Magazine?

Sheila Williams has been editor of Asimov’s Science Fiction Magazine since 2004 — but she’s been involved with the magazine for 31 years, since she came on board as an editorial assistant. Talking to Locus Magazine, she reminisces about working with Isaac Asimov himself at the magazine that bore his name. Says Williams: I ended…

Smartphone Tripod From The Gorillapod People, Macbook Air [Deals]

Leave it to the folks the Gorillapod folks to design a smartphone tripod worth taking notice of. The poorly named Joby GripTight Micro Stand is a sleek, versatile accessory for whatever smartphone you may have that folds down to nothing when not in use. Even if you’re not a serious iPhone photog, this makes a…