Recommended from Around the Web (Week Ending August 8, 2015)
NASA Just Released an Incredible Video of the Far Side of the Moon
Vox has a nice explainer providing context for these fascinating new lunar images.
—Mike Orcutt, associate editor
Environmental Racism Persists, and the EPA Is One Reason Why
A report from the Center for Public Integrity finds the Environmental Protection Agency unresponsive to claims that polluters have discriminated against minority communities.
—Linda Lowenthal, copy chief
Is Your Thermostat Sexist?
Interesting piece about the differences in what’s comfortable in a work climate for men vs. women, and how the standard thermostat setting was originally based on what was comfortable for a man.
—Rachel Metz, senior editor, mobile
Your Pill Is Printing: FDA Approves First 3-D-Printed Drug
The FDA approved the first 3-D-printed drug, a seizure medication called Spritam that dissolves faster thanks to the way it’s printed.
—Anna Nowogrodzki, intern
You May Have Seen My Face on BART
The Medium post in which full-stack engineer Isis Anchalee kicked off the hashtag #ILookLikeAnEngineer in response to the sexism she has experienced in tech.
—Anna Nowogrodzki
For a Sympathetic Ear More Chinese Turn to Smartphone Program
Life imitates (science) fiction, as some people in China turn to smartphone app for company.
—Will Knight, senior editor, AI
Is Artificial Intelligence Really an Existential Threat to Humanity?
A timely review of Nick Bostrom’s book on the threat posed by artificial intelligence.
—Will Knight
7 Custom Apple Watch Designs That Make Your Normal Smartwatch Look Boring
I would still rather have a Rolex.
—J. Juniper Friedman, associate Web producer
‘Social death’: A 20-year Project Sheds New Light on How Solitary Confinement Affects the Mind
The unsurprising results from this long-range study on the effects of prolonged solitary confinement corroborate the argument that its widespread use in prisons is “cruel and unusual” punishment and as such violates the U.S. Constitution.
—Kyanna Sutton, senior Web producer
After Katrina, Tulane’s Architecture School Became a Community Builder
“I sort of stopped writing papers and started taking bold steps with students to build things.”
—Kyanna Sutton
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Google’s Gemini is now in everything. Here’s how you can try it out.
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