Companies are sending their products into orbit and plastering their logos on spacecraft. Will space ads dull our sense of wonder about the universe? asks The Atlantic's Michael Waters.
Editor's Note
Companies are sending their products into orbit and plastering their logos on spacecraft. Will space ads dull our sense of wonder about the universe? asks The Atlantic's Michael Waters.
The article discusses the emergence of a new life stage between career and old age, as people are living longer and often have 20 years or more of active life after retirement. This stage, referred to as the "Encore Years," can be a rewarding phase but the transition into it can be challenging, especially for those whose identities were closely tied to their careers.
informed Summary
The article discusses the emergence of a new life stage between career and old age, as people are living longer and often have 20 years or more of active life after retirement. This stage, referred to as the "Encore Years," can be a rewarding phase but the transition into it can be challenging, especially for those whose identities were closely tied to their careers.
Diversity is beneficial for both society and individuals, with research showing that connections between different groups of people enhance peace, prosperity, and social progress, writes The Atlantic's Arthur C. Brooks. However, humans have a strong "homophily bias," preferring to associate with people similar to themselves.
informed Summary
Diversity is beneficial for both society and individuals, with research showing that connections between different groups of people enhance peace, prosperity, and social progress, writes The Atlantic's Arthur C. Brooks. However, humans have a strong "homophily bias," preferring to associate with people similar to themselves.
The rise of generative AI is increasing the carbon footprint of the internet due to the high energy consumption of data centers. These centers consume large amounts of electricity, often generated by fossil fuels. The AI boom could make every online action more energy-intensive, potentially pushing the web's emissions to a tipping point.
informed Summary
The rise of generative AI is increasing the carbon footprint of the internet due to the high energy consumption of data centers. These centers consume large amounts of electricity, often generated by fossil fuels. The AI boom could make every online action more energy-intensive, potentially pushing the web's emissions to a tipping point.
Stephen King, in an article for The Atlantic, discusses the potential for artificial intelligence to mimic human creativity in writing. He suggests that while AI can be programmed to mimic styles and patterns, it currently lacks the ability to create genuinely creative moments.
informed Summary
Stephen King, in an article for The Atlantic, discusses the potential for artificial intelligence to mimic human creativity in writing. He suggests that while AI can be programmed to mimic styles and patterns, it currently lacks the ability to create genuinely creative moments.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is often described as socially awkward — especially on the campaign trail, with his dry remarks, strange laughter, and missed opportunities for empathy.
informed Summary
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is often described as socially awkward — especially on the campaign trail, with his dry remarks, strange laughter, and missed opportunities for empathy.
Since the 1980s, the rapidly growing field of relationship science, spanning various disciplines, studies romantic love; however, Ron Rosenbaum contends in his new book that love's essence eludes scientific analysis.
informed Summary
Since the 1980s, the rapidly growing field of relationship science, spanning various disciplines, studies romantic love; however, Ron Rosenbaum contends in his new book that love's essence eludes scientific analysis.
Despite initial polls suggesting that the criminal charges against former President Donald Trump have boosted his standing in the Republican presidential primary, a new survey suggests that the indictments have slightly dented his advantage.
informed Summary
Despite initial polls suggesting that the criminal charges against former President Donald Trump have boosted his standing in the Republican presidential primary, a new survey suggests that the indictments have slightly dented his advantage.
The desired outcome of an apology is usually to wipe the slate clean and get back to normal life. In this article, The Atlantic uses the example of poet William Carlos Williams, who apologized to his wife for eating the plums she was saving for breakfast. His wife's response, which didn't mention the plums, suggests she accepted his apology.
informed Summary
The desired outcome of an apology is usually to wipe the slate clean and get back to normal life. In this article, The Atlantic uses the example of poet William Carlos Williams, who apologized to his wife for eating the plums she was saving for breakfast. His wife's response, which didn't mention the plums, suggests she accepted his apology.
Sibling bonds are often the longest relationships in a person's life, offering a unique opportunity for growth and change, writes Angela Chen in The Atlantic. These relationships are a mix of involuntary and voluntary, with siblings often forced together in childhood and then given the choice to maintain, repair, or discard those relationships in adulthood.
informed Summary
Sibling bonds are often the longest relationships in a person's life, offering a unique opportunity for growth and change, writes Angela Chen in The Atlantic. These relationships are a mix of involuntary and voluntary, with siblings often forced together in childhood and then given the choice to maintain, repair, or discard those relationships in adulthood.
In compliance with the European Union’s Digital Services Act, TikTok will soon allow users in Europe to opt out of being algorithmically targeted by disabling the personalized feed on their “For You” page.
informed Summary
In compliance with the European Union’s Digital Services Act, TikTok will soon allow users in Europe to opt out of being algorithmically targeted by disabling the personalized feed on their “For You” page.
A local activist group in San Francisco, Safe Street Rebel, has launched a campaign against self-driving taxis, or "robotaxis", operated by companies Cruise and Waymo. The group encourages residents to place traffic cones on the hood of these vehicles, which seems to paralyze them.
informed Summary
A local activist group in San Francisco, Safe Street Rebel, has launched a campaign against self-driving taxis, or "robotaxis", operated by companies Cruise and Waymo. The group encourages residents to place traffic cones on the hood of these vehicles, which seems to paralyze them.
Israeli and American officials have hinted at a potential deal to normalize relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia. That could be a significant diplomatic achievement. However, the U.S. should be cautious about what constitutes a "win" and shouldn't commit to an increased presence in the region, Andrew Exum writes in The Atlantic.
informed Summary
Israeli and American officials have hinted at a potential deal to normalize relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia. That could be a significant diplomatic achievement. However, the U.S. should be cautious about what constitutes a "win" and shouldn't commit to an increased presence in the region, Andrew Exum writes in The Atlantic.
Historically, matchmaking has been a common practice across cultures but now, it's popularity is surging. The rise of dating apps has shifted the search for romance to a more individual pursuit. Despite the control dating apps offer, many find the process time-consuming and overwhelming.
informed Summary
Historically, matchmaking has been a common practice across cultures but now, it's popularity is surging. The rise of dating apps has shifted the search for romance to a more individual pursuit. Despite the control dating apps offer, many find the process time-consuming and overwhelming.
Many advanced chatbots are being given human names, a trend that is expected to continue as generative AI advances. These names are used to make bots seem more believable and real, but can also be a marketing ploy to influence how users perceive the product.
informed Summary
Many advanced chatbots are being given human names, a trend that is expected to continue as generative AI advances. These names are used to make bots seem more believable and real, but can also be a marketing ploy to influence how users perceive the product.
The Atlantic's Ian Bogost argues that the art of "flaking," or failing to keep a commitment, is dying in today's digital age. However, flaking can be liberating when done correctly, since it can relieve the pressure of always needing an excuse for not fulfilling an obligation.
informed Summary
The Atlantic's Ian Bogost argues that the art of "flaking," or failing to keep a commitment, is dying in today's digital age. However, flaking can be liberating when done correctly, since it can relieve the pressure of always needing an excuse for not fulfilling an obligation.
Greek philosopher Aristotle believed that happiness is not something to be found, but something to attract by practicing specific virtues and turning them into habits. He proposed ten virtues that attract happiness.
informed Summary
Greek philosopher Aristotle believed that happiness is not something to be found, but something to attract by practicing specific virtues and turning them into habits. He proposed ten virtues that attract happiness.
Hawaii has experienced its worst wildfire in modern history, with at least 53 people dead and the tourism hub of Lahaina burned flat. The fire was fueled by hot, dry winds from Hurricane Dora, which was supposed to miss the islands.
informed Summary
Hawaii has experienced its worst wildfire in modern history, with at least 53 people dead and the tourism hub of Lahaina burned flat. The fire was fueled by hot, dry winds from Hurricane Dora, which was supposed to miss the islands.