Recommended from Around the Web (Week Ending July 19, 2014)
Amazon, a Friendly Giant as Long as It’s Fed
Amazon has become the most powerful force in the book business—but is the company helping an old medium adapt to the digital era or simply building a monopoly?
—Tom Simonite, senior editor, IT
Can the World’s Most Promising Electric-Car Battery Be Saved?
Interesting story about how a much-hyped battery technology’s star might be fading, much to the chagrin of the big automakers that bet on it.
—Mike Orcutt, research editor
You Gotta Read This!
John Borthwick looks at the data and finds a dichotomy: digital readers are skimming and reposting, while also spending more time on longer pieces.
—Nanette Byrnes, senior editor, business reports
The Industrial Revolution That Never Was
The role of technology in determining how the Industrial Revolution took hold.
—Brian Bergstein, deputy editor
World Cup Moments Re-Created in 8-Bit Art
Brazilian artist supplies plenty of giggle-worthy images by transforming World Cup soccer moments into Atari-style illustrations.
—J. Juniper Friedman, editorial assistant
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How scientists traced a mysterious covid case back to six toilets
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