The Compass: Why you might find AI creepy, new tech to help cool people down, and is it possible to delay death with tech?

RJ Hamster

1 year ago

SEE BELOW, CAN YOU GUESS THE RIGHT ANSWER?

THE COMPASS

This week, we explore the world of technology. Learn why you might find AI creepy, discover the new technology that could help cool people down without using electricity, and find out if it’s possible to delay death with tech. Plus, top stories you may have missed.

PHOTOGRAPH BY MAX AGUILERA-HELLWEG, NAT GEO IMAGE COLLECTION

The uncanny valley, explained: Why you might find AI creepy

Even if we can’t “see them”, programs like ChatGPT’s ability to emote like a human gives some people an eerie feeling. Scientists have a few theories on why this phenomenon happens.

THE UNCANNY VALLEY PHENOMENON

PHOTOGRAPH BY JYOTIRMOY MANDAL

This new technology could help cool people down—without electricity

As climate change brings more extreme heat, air conditioning use is going to skyrocket, baking the planet even more. What if there were a way to cool without making warming worse?

A BETTER WAY TO COOL

GOOD READS

Feeling nostalgic? Your brain is hardwired to crave it.

Why do colleges have legacy admissions? It started as a way to keep out Jews.

Barbie’s signature pink may be Earth’s oldest color. Here’s how it took over the world.

What you need to know about copperhead snake bites

PHOTOGRAPH BY PA IMAGES/GETTY

How Queen Elizabeth embraced new technologies during her reign

Television, space exploration, and even Zoom—the British monarch was an eager advocate for these advancements and more over her 70-year rule.

A STAUNCH SUPPORTER OF SCIENCE AND TECH

AI MAY SOON BE ABLE TO PASS THE FAMED TEST USED TO HELP DISTINGUISH COMPUTERS FROM HUMANS. THE TEST IS NAMED AFTER WHICH OF THESE MATHEMATICIANS?

A. BENOIT MANDELBROT
B. ALAN TURING
C. BERTRAND RUSSELL

CLICK TO SEE IF YOU’RE RIGHT!

ILLUSTRATION VIA PIXOLOGICSTUDIO, SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Can we delay death with tech? These advances hold promise.

3D-printed organs. Handheld ultrasounds. Nanobots that crawl your blood vessels to destroy plaque. This is the not-so-distant future of medicine.

NEW TECH TO HELP US LIVE LONGER

PHOTOGRAPH BY MARTIN EDSTROM, NAT GEO IMAGE COLLECTION

AI can help you plan your next trip—if you know how to ask.

Experts weigh in on the best ways to use tools like ChatGPT for travel—and how to avoid being duped by AI “hallucinations.”

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Heat waves worldwide are becoming more frequent and are lasting longer, yet many people brush off the dangers. Here’s how extreme heat affects us—and can kill you. +

HEAT STROKE IS REAL

This ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrifice. Desperate to make the torrential rains stop, they offered up their most precious resource to the gods: their children. +

THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE

They were nine experienced hikers. Their bizarre deaths in Russia’s rugged Dyatlov Pass reverberated worldwide. Has science solved one of history’s greatest adventure mysteries? +

WAS IT MURDER?

WHAT WILL WE EXPLORE NEXT?

Be sure to check your inbox next week to find out.

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