Can you imagine if the dropping of the bomb on Hiroshima was due to a translation error? Well, this is something that has been speculated about a lot: whether the interpretation that the Japanese made of the ultimatum sent by the Americans and the use of the Japanese word “mokusatsu” influenced the course of events. Much has […] … learn more→

Americans hold on to their “freedom of expression”, a marker of their history , which is distinct from French freedom of expression. Historically, freedom of speech in the United States was coupled with freedom of the press, since it was essentially through the latter that one could express oneself publicly. The First Amendment stipulated as early as […] … learn more→

Badly behaved artificial intelligence (AI) systems have a long history in science fiction. Way back in 1961, in the famous Astro Boy comics by Osamu Tezuka, a clone of a popular robot magician was reprogrammed into a super-powered thief. In the 1968 film 2001: A Space Odyssey, the shipboard computer HAL 9000 turns out to be more sinister […] … learn more→

In the wake of Donald Trump’s reelection, the United States has lurched further toward a democratic crisis. Institutions once considered stable now feel precarious. The assault on truth — already well underway — has intensified, with political leaders openly flouting constitutional principles, suppressing dissent and dismantling democratic safeguards. The rhetoric of grievance and retribution has become the […] … learn more→

It’s been a very busy fortnight. I’ve been immersed in a very deep research hangout. So what is a deep research hangout I hear you ask, and why was I in one? Well, even though I am currently in Australia I am still working with a team in England on a big research project looking at the […] … learn more→

The school choice movement received a major boost on Jan. 29, 2025, when President Donald Trump issued an executive order supporting families who want to use public money to send their children to private schools. The far-reaching order aims to redirect federal funds to voucher-type programs. Vouchers typically afford parents the freedom to select nonpublic schools, including faith-based ones, […] … learn more→

Most of us own at least one smartphone that can count our steps every day. Increasingly, some people also wear wristbands, watches and other devices that collect fitness-related data such as heart rate. But how does the science behind this technology work? Is the information they provide us any use? The use of smart watches […] … learn more→

Aurora grew up in a home of strict rules and absent affection. Her father, Don Augusto, spoke little, but imposed his authority firmly. At the table, no one spoke without his permission, no one left without his authorization, and he decided the punishments. If Aurora spilled a glass of juice, her father’s stern look was […] … learn more→

The concept of negation is often associated with unfavorable or restrictive meanings, and the history of science offers numerous examples of this. From the condemnation of Galileo for defending heliocentrism to the harsh criticism received by Darwin for proposing human evolution from common ancestors with primates, many revolutionary ideas were initially rejected before becoming fundamental […] … learn more→

It may sound strange but plants can remember stress. Scientists are still learning about how plants do this without a brain. But with climate change threatening crops around the world, understanding plant stress memory could help food crops become more resilient. Since their colonisation of the land 500 million years ago, plants have evolved ways to defend themselves […] … learn more→