The Never-Ending Hype Cycle
A reminder of how new technologies generate expectations they can’t possibly meet—until some of them quietly do.
—Brian Bergstein, deputy editor

The Dream Kickoff
This excellent long read from Grantland tells the story of a Brazilian neuroscientist hoping to display his “mind-controlled exoskeleton” at the World Cup.
—Jane Allen, project manager

Alibaba Said to Weigh Good Fortune of No. 8 in Choosing IPO Date
This story is interesting because it details a cultural belief in good fortune surrounding the date of the impending Alibaba IPO date in the U.S., and the good fortune of the ticker symbol BABA.
—Rob Finley, West Coast sales director

What’s Lost as Handwriting Fades
Writing by hand is more than just plopping symbols on a scroll—it’s helping to develop your right brain.
—J. Juniper Friedman, editorial assistant

Can You Supercharge Your Brain?
A nice feature on the surprising effects of applying electrical currents to one’s brain. (For what it’s worth, the author has written several young adult novels featuring a brilliant gadget-making spy whose name is borrowed from yours truly.)
—Will Knight, news and analysis editor

Exclusive: Inside the FBI’s Fight Against Chinese Cyber Espionage
How the FBI gathered evidence used to indict five Chinese military officers last month for hacking U.S. companies to steal corporate secrets.
—Tom Simonite, senior editor, IT

A Guide to Obama’s New Rules to Cut Carbon Emissions from Power Plants
Here’s a good, in-depth explainer about the EPA’s new climate change regulations.
—Kevin Bullis, senior editor, energy

NSA Surveillance Scandal Began One Year Ago. Here’s What Tech Companies Still Need to Do.
This week marked the first anniversary of the revelations by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden. This Slate blog emphasizes how much more technology companies can to do thwart mass surveillance.
—David Talbot, chief correspondent