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Hitler’s Greenland Obsession
After creating an economic mess with ill-advised tariffs, Hitler looked north in pursuit of resources and national security.
Compiling
An xkcd comic titled 'Compiling', which humorously depicts a scenario related to the process of compiling software.
Dreams (Fleetwood Mac song)
This Wikipedia article details "Dreams," a hit song by the British-American rock band Fleetwood Mac, written and sung by Stevie Nicks for their 1977 album Rumours. It covers the song's creation amidst personal turmoil within the band, its chart success as their only number-one single in the US, and its enduring legacy, including a significant resurgence in popularity in 2020 due to a viral TikTok video. The article also touches upon cover versions by other artists like The Corrs and Deep Dish.
Prop. 40’s failure points to the tax California already pays for its wealth: Politics overrun by money
The playbook for defeating the the billionaire tax was simple: Stoke economic fears and confuse Californians.
‘Survivor’ Is America
It’s our greatest game and our truest mirror. And in its tiki-torch-festooned way, it’s captured our society as an ever-changing collection of tribes.
Apocalypse no: how almost everything we thought we knew about the Maya is wrong
For many years the prevailing debate about the Maya centred upon why their civilisation collapsed. Now, many scholars are asking: how did the Maya survive?
Physicists Make Electrons Flow Like Water | Quanta Magazine
We describe electricity as a flow, but that’s not what happens in a typical wire. Physicists have begun to induce electrons to act like fluids, an effort that could illuminate new ways of thinking about quantum systems.
AI brings Supreme Court decisions to life
Like it or not, the justices are about to see AI versions of themselves, speaking words that they spoke in court but that were not heard contemporaneously by anyone except those in the courtroom.
After a decade of wildfires, an overlooked election could shape California’s climate future
The race for state insurance commissioner hinges on a pivotal question: can the private market help us adapt to climate disasters?
NASA’s Simulated Mars Crew Marks One Year Inside Habitat - NASA
The four crew members in NASA’s simulated Mars mission have spent the past year living and working in isolation in a confined habitat at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.
A rare family of barn owls moved into Manhattan's Upper West Side, captivating New Yorkers
This is the first documented instance of barn owls nesting in Manhattan in modern history, according to one expert, and the owls have attracted nightly crowds of people in the street eager to get a glimpse of the elusive birds.
A poem by J. Mae Barizo: ‘Catalog of Misplaced Things’
A contemplative poem by J. Mae Barizo reflecting on loss, grief, and the unexpected moments of beauty and guilt that follow a loved one's death. The narrator struggles to list ten lost things, instead finding a sonata within and violets on a screen after hearing a last voice message.
The Quiet Renovation at Bitwarden
Back in March, I wrote about Bitwarden doubling their Premium price — and specifically how they did it. Buried in a feature announcement. Priced in fake monthly increments for a product that has never once offered monthly billing. Communicated to existing customers fifteen days before their renewal, not before.
voyager 1
Voyager 1 is a space probe launched by NASA in 1977 as part of the Voyager program to explore the outer Solar System and interstellar space. It performed flybys of Jupiter and Saturn, providing detailed images and data. In 2012, it became the first human-made object to cross the heliopause and enter interstellar space, continuing to transmit scientific data and remaining the most distant object from Earth.
150 Years Ago in Photos
A collection of images showing events and sights from around the world in 1876—the year the United States celebrated its 100th anniversary with the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia.
Words Without Consequence
This article explores the profound implications of Large Language Models (LLMs) generating speech without consequence, detaching words from human accountability, dignity, and the social contract. It examines how this phenomenon, where AI systems converse knowledgeably but bear no vulnerability for their statements, erodes the expectations listeners hold of a speaker. Drawing on historical warnings from Norbert Wiener about machine autonomy and Joseph Weizenbaum's ELIZA effect, the author argues that LLMs perform 'successful speech acts detached from obligation,' leading to a subtle but pervasive recalibration of norms where responsibility, apologies, and care become simulated and costless, ultimately diminishing human dignity.
'Walk for Peace' concludes as Buddhist monks arrive in Washington after 15-week trek
A group of Buddhist monks has finally reached Washington, D.C., after completing a 15-week trek from Texas that captivated the country, advocating for peace and unity. Their journey resonated with thousands, despite challenges, and highlighted their commitment to spiritual offering through mindful steps and open hearts.
The Snow Monsters of Mount Zao
Winter conditions atop Japan’s Mount Zao can create “monsters” made of snow and ice that accumulates on trees. These snow monsters, called juhyo, attract visitors to one of the country’s oldest ski resorts.
Primary care is in trouble. Doctors are banding together to increase market power
As costs increase, primary care practices are joining forces in Independent Physician Associations. The goal is to leverage better insurance contracts, while ensuring doctors still call the shots.
More than 7,000 dead in Iran's crackdown on protests, activists say
The continued rise in the tally of the dead from the demonstrations adds to the overall tensions facing Iran both inside the country and abroad as it tries to negotiate with the United States over its nuclear program.
‘Jonathan’ Is the Oldest Land Animal on Earth. He Could Hold the Secrets to Defying Death
Jonathan, a 194-year-old Aldabra giant tortoise, was born before the Civil War. Scientists have now sequenced his genome to reveal what’s behind his extreme longevity, so we can live longer too.
Needy couples got cash and a spending plan. Results were good -- and bad
In Liberia, joint financial planning boosted cash aid's benefits. It also had an unexpected consequence for some families, leading to an increase in intimate partner violence among high-risk couples despite improved economic outcomes.
All The Views
This article details the search for the longest lines of sight on Earth using a custom algorithm, CacheTVS. It presents the top three longest views found, including the record-holder from the Kunlun Mountains to Pik Dankova (530km), along with other significant lines of sight across different regions of the world, such as Colombia and between Russia and Turkey.
The '3.5% rule': How a small minority can change the world
Research by political scientist Erica Chenoweth indicates that nonviolent campaigns are significantly more effective than violent ones in achieving political change, succeeding in 53% of cases compared to 26% for violent protests. Her findings reveal a "3.5% rule," stating that nonviolent movements that engage at least 3.5% of the population have historically never failed to bring about serious change. This success is attributed to the ability of nonviolent movements to attract broader participation, maintain moral high ground, and secure support from diverse demographics, including security forces, leading to widespread societal disruption.
Running a million-board chess MMO in a single process · eieio.games
The article details the technical architecture and challenges of creating 'One Million Chessboards,' a real-time chess MMO that successfully managed over 150,000 players and 15,000,000 moves within a single Go process. It covers strategies for minimizing bandwidth using protobufs and zstd, implementing optimistic UI with rollback netcode to achieve 0ms latency, and managing game state with a single mutex and dense arrays. The author also reflects on gameplay design, the importance of conveying a sense of scale in multiplayer games, and the personal growth derived from the project's development.
'They saw them on their dishes when eating': The mushroom making people hallucinate dozens of tiny humans
A mysterious mushroom, Lanmaoa asiatica, found in Yunnan, China, and the Philippines, is known to cause remarkably consistent "lilliputian hallucinations" (visions of tiny people) if not thoroughly cooked. Researcher Colin Domnauer is investigating this psychedelic fungi to identify the unknown compound responsible for these unusually long-lasting and specific trips, which are distinct from psilocybin. The study aims to uncover insights into consciousness and potentially develop treatments for naturally occurring lilliputian hallucinations.
'Hullo, hillo, holla': The 600-year-old origins of the word 'hello'
This article delves into the 200-year history of the word "hello" in print, tracing its origins back to 15th-century Old High German and French roots. It explores the evolution of "hello" and other greetings across cultures, highlighting how their pronunciation, spelling, and usage reflect social norms and are continuously reshaped by digital communication.
Is Particle Physics Dead, Dying, or Just Hard? | Quanta Magazine
This article explores the ongoing "crisis" in particle physics more than a decade after the discovery of the Higgs boson and the subsequent failure of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) to find any new particles beyond the Standard Model. It discusses the impact on the field, including a "brain drain" of talent to areas like AI, and examines proposed future collider projects such as the Future Circular Collider and a muon collider. The piece concludes that particle physics is not dead but has entered a more challenging phase, with potential for discovery in new experiments, theoretical advancements, and the emerging role of artificial intelligence.
Long-Sought Proof Tames Some of Math’s Unruliest Equations | Quanta Magazine
Two Italian mathematicians, Giuseppe Mingione and Cristiana De Filippis, have achieved a long-sought breakthrough in understanding nonuniformly elliptic partial differential equations (PDEs). Their work extends a century-old mathematical theory, proving that the solutions to these complex equations, which describe phenomena in real-world nonuniform materials such as lava flow or tissue oxygen levels, are 'regular' or well-behaved. This advancement provides crucial tools for scientists to more accurately model and approximate systems that were previously difficult to analyze mathematically.
Nike Says Its Factory Workers Make Nearly Double the Minimum Wage. In Indonesia, Workers Say, “It’s Not True.”
This article investigates Nike's claim that its factory workers, on average, earn 1.9 times the local minimum wage. Through interviews with approximately 100 workers across more than 10 factories in Indonesia, the second-largest production hub for Nike, the report finds that none of the workers confirmed earning near that much, often making only around the minimum wage. The article highlights the discrepancy between Nike's global average wage claims and the reality for many workers, who often need second jobs to cover basic living expenses. It also details the history of Nike's wage transparency and criticisms.
Are the Mysteries of Quantum Mechanics Beginning To Dissolve?
This article explores Wojciech Zurek's comprehensive theory of decoherence and quantum Darwinism, which aims to resolve the enduring mysteries of quantum mechanics. Zurek proposes that through constant entanglement with their environment, quantum objects undergo decoherence, leading to the rapid disappearance of quantum phenomena. This process selects "pointer states" that are robustly replicated in the environment, forming a consensus that gives rise to an objective classical reality. The theory seeks to reconcile the Copenhagen and many-worlds interpretations, suggesting quantum states are both epistemic and ontic. While offering a compelling framework, it acknowledges remaining questions about specific outcome selection and the nature of the underlying 'quantum substrate'.
Sins of the Children—Asterisk
This science fiction short story describes a human expedition on the alien planet Chelicer 14d, where they exploit the local "Farmer" creatures for their valuable crops. After encountering large, aggressive "death-fleas" that destroy their weather station and kill a crew member, the human Concern decides to eradicate this apex predator to protect their resource-gathering operations. However, this intervention unknowingly severs a critical link in Chelicer 14d's unique ecosystem, which consists of a single species that manifests in multiple developmental stages, leading to the rapid and complete extinction of all life on the planet.
“Just Kidding,” by Rita Dove
A poem by Rita Dove, where the setup of a priest, a rabbi, and a poet walking into a bar becomes a meditation on clashing philosophies, expectations of humor, and the shared human need for solace. The poem subverts the typical punchline structure to explore deeper themes of desperation and connection.
The Real Winner of TrumpRx
The article evaluates TrumpRx, a new online government drugstore launched to provide discounted prescription medications. While it offers substantial savings on a select few drugs, it largely fails to provide the lowest prices for most Americans, especially those with insurance or those who could access cheaper generics elsewhere. The analysis suggests that drug companies have primarily benefited from the initiative as a public relations opportunity, rather than patients receiving widespread, significant relief from high drug costs. Despite its current limitations, the platform has potential for future growth in its efforts to address prescription drug pricing.
The mountain that weighed the Earth
The article describes the 1774 Schiehallion experiment, which was the first attempt to determine the Earth's mass by measuring the gravitational deflection of a plumb line caused by a mountain in Scotland. Led by Nevil Maskelyne and Charles Hutton, the experiment involved calculating the mountain's mass and comparing its density to that of the Earth, yielding a result within 20% of modern measurements. It also briefly mentions Henry Cavendish's later, more precise torsion balance experiment.
How to fireproof a city
This article explores strategies for making homes and communities more resilient to wildfires, particularly in fire-prone regions like Southern California. It highlights the importance of a neighborhood-scale approach, featuring examples of home hardening techniques (e.g., gravel moats, metal vents, double-pane windows, steel fencing) implemented by builders like KB Home in communities such as Dixon Trail. The piece also details community-level mitigation efforts, including replacing flammable vegetation with native, less combustible species and creating natural firebreaks, as demonstrated by the Rancho Santa Fe Association. It addresses the rising wildfire risk due to climate change and urban expansion into wildland-urban interfaces, emphasizing that collective action is crucial for protection and can even lead to benefits like reduced insurance premiums.
Inside the secret world of Japanese snack bars
Japanese snack bars, often run by 'mama-sans', are intimate, no-frills establishments that serve light bites and drinks, primarily fostering comfortable social spaces and meaningful connections. These bars have evolved from post-WWII recovery efforts to modern-day community hubs, offering unique cultural experiences, matchmaking services, and a respite from digital life, attracting locals and increasingly, curious travellers.
When Bernie Sanders Headed for the Hills
This article by Jill Lepore reviews Dan Chiasson's book, "Bernie for Burlington: The Rise of the People’s Politician and the Transformation of One American Place." It chronicles Bernie Sanders's journey from a working-class Brooklyn kid to a influential Vermont politician, detailing his move to Vermont in the 1960s, his connection with the state's working poor, and his transformative tenure as mayor of Burlington. The review explores how Sanders's populist and socialist views were shaped by Vermont's unique economic and social changes, contrasting his consistent political message with the state's evolving landscape and demographics.
Read the full transcript of Carney’s speech to World Economic Forum
Mark Carney delivered a forceful speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, discussing the 'new world order' and the rupture of the traditional rules-based international order. He argued that middle powers like Canada must adapt by building strategic autonomy through domestic strength, diversifying international partnerships, and forming issue-based coalitions. Carney emphasized a 'value-based realism' approach, moving away from past assumptions and actively engaging with the world as it is, rather than waiting for an old order to be restored.
Why There’s No Single Best Way To Store Information | Quanta Magazine
The article explores how different data structures offer various trade-offs between resources like time and memory, demonstrating that there's no single optimal way to store information. It uses analogies like organizing a bookshelf to explain concepts such as hash tables, which balance insertion and retrieval times with space, and heaps, which prioritize quick access to the most urgent items. The text highlights ongoing research and discoveries in these fundamental computer science concepts.
Trump struck deals with 16 drug companies. But they're still raising prices this year
Sixteen major drug companies that made deals with the Trump administration to lower prices still increased prices for some of their drugs in early 2026, with a median hike of 4%. While the White House stated these deals secured discounts for Medicaid and cash-paying customers, the specifics remain confidential. In contrast, some drug prices did decrease for other medications, an outcome potentially influenced by the Biden administration's Medicare drug price negotiations, although the exact impact is debated.
Ada Limón: ‘Literary Theory’
The Very American Story of Chief Buffalo Child Long Lance
The article explores the complex American story of Chief Buffalo Child Long Lance, an individual born Sylvester Long in North Carolina in 1890, who was listed as Black and later claimed various Native American identities, including Cherokee and Blackfeet. Long Lance achieved significant fame as an author and actor, embodying a romanticized image of a Native American warrior. His memoir, published in 1928, was a sensation until his true ancestry was exposed in 1930, leading to his social and financial ruin. The piece then broadens to discuss the fraught and evolving definition of Native identity in the U.S., focusing on issues like blood quantum, tribal enrollment, and the phenomenon of "Pretendians." Author David Treuer, who also grappled with his own Ojibwe identity and enrollment challenges, argues that the historical and ongoing struggles over Native identity are deeply personal and have significant practical consequences for individuals and tribes, often leading to internal conflicts and disenrollment. He concludes by acknowledging Long Lance's complex identity, rooted in both Black and Native American heritage, as a uniquely American self-made narrative.
How the Murdoch Family Built an Empire—and Remade the News
This article reviews Gabriel Sherman's book “Bonfire of the Murdochs,” examining the historical development and controversial practices of the Murdoch media empire, from Sir Keith Murdoch's early journalistic career to Rupert Murdoch’s impact on British tabloids and Fox News. It delves into the family's internal power struggles, their manipulation of news for profit and political influence, and the lasting legacy of their 'degraded vision of journalism' on public discourse and democratic principles.
Iranian protesters share their stories of determination and dissent
These Iranians offer a rare glimpse of life in the Islamic Republic at a pivotal moment in its history.
At the Un-National Monument along the Canadian Border
The poem reflects on a battlefield where no war occurred, highlighting the peace and natural beauty of the place. It suggests that the true heroism lies in the undisturbed sky and the forgotten name of the location, emphasizing neglect as a form of hallowing.
If You Tax Them, Will They Leave?
The article discusses California's proposed one-off 5 percent wealth tax on its richest residents. Proponents, including economists Emmanuel Saez and Gabriel Zucman, argue it's a fair way to address a $20 billion health-care budget shortfall, as billionaires pay very little in income taxes. Opponents, like Garry Tan and David Sacks, warn of significant capital flight, threatening the state's tech industry and long-term tax revenues. The tax is designed to be retroactive and includes provisions for illiquid assets and deferred payments to mitigate these concerns. However, critics fear it could lead to future wealth taxes and make California a risky place for billionaires, potentially shifting innovation to other states. The debate is framed as a high-stakes bet on billionaire psychology and their willingness to relocate.