Stories from Around the Web (Week Ending May 31, 2013)
A roundup of the most interesting stories from other sites, collected by the staff at MIT Technology Review.
Anatomy of a Hack: How Crackers Ransack Passwords
This is exceptionally geeky but smartly done, because it shows in a memorable way how passwords get cracked.
—Brian Bergstein, deputy editor
Google’s Nutirition Knowledge Graph
Google is introducing nutrition information in search results, similar to what it’s doing with weather, sports scores, and flight information.
—Emily Dunkle, user interface/digital designer
GeoGuessr
Get ready to get addicted to this cartography-based game by Google, which Slate reviewed recently.
—Jane Allen, project manager
Mental Disorder or Neurodiversity?
A timely and thought-provoking essay on our perception of conditions such as autism, ADHD, and depression.
—Will Knight, online editor
BuzzFeed Writer Resigns In Disgrace After Plagiarizing ‘10 Llamas Who Wish They Were Models’
The Onion’s daft but surprisingly spot-on indictment of the state of online journalism.
—Will Knight, online editor
Climatologist Myles Allen Says We’re ‘Doomed’ If We Keep Burning Carbon, Then Embraces Dubious Silver Bullet
The always-excellent Joe Romm on why we shouldn’t hold our breath on carbon capture and storage.
—David Rotman, editor
Avatars Ease Voices for Schizophrenia Patients
A promising U.K. study describes how the use of an avatar can help treat patients with schizophrenia who hear voices.
—Kyanna Sutton, senior Web producer
3-D Print Your Own Famous Sculptures from the Met
An interesting home use for 3-D printing.
—David Sweeney, marketing communications manager
Sony Lab Offers a Peek into the Future
Researchers from Sony’s lab are coming up with fun mashups: Legos controlled by Playstation controllers! Personal drone helicopters!
—Brent Turner, chief digital officer
3-D Printed Windpipe Gives Infant Breath of Life
Heralding a future of body parts printed on-demand.
—Susan Young, biomedicine editor