Technology

‘Scum,’ ‘Madman,’ and Other Words Used Most in Trump Coverage

A computer analysis of 60,000 articles about the presidential race finds distinct language referring to the Republican and Democratic nominees.

How the Internet Is Changing Pronunciation

Quick: How do you say the “read” in “read receipts”?

Chinese Characters Are Futuristic and the Alphabet Is Old News

The QWERTY keyboard was once the envy of the world, but not anymore.

How Twitter Bots Are Shaping the Election

Between the first two presidential debates, a third of pro-Trump tweets and nearly a fifth of pro-Clinton tweets came from automated accounts.

Predictions of a Presidentess

A century ago, prognosticators saw a future in which a woman could be the chief executive—and men would be made obsolete.

Facebook Is Overwhelmed With Check-Ins to Standing Rock

… though there’s no evidence that protesters made the request.

How Facebook’s Ad Tool Fails to Protect Civil Rights

The company’s platform lets advertisers exclude people of certain races from seeing their content. That’s a serious problem when it comes to promotions such as housing, credit, and jobs.

The Inevitability of Being Hacked

We built a fake web toaster, and it was compromised in an hour.

How a Sculptor Adapted to Today's Economy

"I found myself unemployed five years ago for the first time in my life. That was unsettling, but it was not undoing."

The Future of Privacy Is Plausible Deniability

In a hackable world where neither the NSA nor Sony Pictures nor John Podesta could safeguard their private communications, the surest way to keep data secure may be surrounding it with decoys.

Inside a Hacking Competition to Take Down a Water-Treatment Plant

This is how hackers play capture the flag.

Whither Vine?

Twitter is shutting down the social network, which was one of the web’s most vibrant communities.

When Typists Were Feared as 'Love Pirates'

At the turn of the century, some women sued stenographers for seducing their husbands. An Object Lesson.

It’s Bill Murray: A Facial Recognition Algorithm Settles the Debate

Actually, though, maybe it’s Tom Hanks.

Not Doomed Yet: The Climate’s Best Month All Year

… at least on the diplomatic and renewable-energy fronts

The Weird Familiarity of 100-Year-Old Feminism Memes

A century ago, widely circulated images and cartoons helped drive the debate about whether women should have the right to vote.  

Would You Buy a Genetically-Engineered Cashmere Sweater?

Scientists in China have used CRISPR to make a modified goat that produces more of the fine wool.

Who’s Responsible When Your DVR Launches a Cyberattack?

The companies who make the devices could be held accountable.

Another Victim of This Election: The Verb 'To Trump'

It had a good run.