Why Coal Symbolizes Naughtiness
And how it should be used instead. An Object Lesson.
Who Wins When Cash Is No Longer King?
It won’t be the poor.
Seven Arguments Against the Autonomous-Vehicle Utopia
All the ways the self-driving future won’t come to pass
Americans Should Be ‘Screaming Mad’ About Amazon’s Free Money
America has an absurd—and dangerous—obsession with corporate subsidies, such as those given to Jeff Bezos’s trillion-dollar company.
Tech Is Killing Street Food
The wealthy hubs of the United States and India are embracing informal gastronomy, but not the people who have traditionally provided it.
There’s No Real System to Counter Rogue Drones
As flying robots proliferate, there’s a growing risk of accident or attack. And the U.S. is still a long way from being prepared.
Facebook Didn’t Sell Your Data; It Gave It Away
In exchange for even more data about you from Amazon, Netflix, Spotify, Microsoft, and others
No, You Don’t Really Look Like That
A guide to the new reality-melting technology in your phone’s camera
When Is a Meme a Foreign-Influence Operation?
It’s disturbing how easily Internet Research Agency accounts blended into America’s online life.
The Coming Commodification of Life at Home
As internet-connected devices and appliances accumulate, one academic foresees “the monetization of every move you make.”
The Fate of Huawei Foreshadows the Fate of China
One of Beijing’s top goals is transforming China into a technology powerhouse, so what happens to Huawei matters beyond China’s own borders.
Rising Instagram Stars Are Posting Fake Sponsored Content
“It’s street cred—the more sponsors you have, the more credibility you have.”
Norway Is Entering a New Era of Climate-Conscious Architecture
The country now has a suite of buildings that generate more energy than they use.
An Augmented Reality
A short story explores the possible quandaries of future wearable computing.
Meet the Safecracker of Last Resort
Charlie Santore sees Los Angeles from the inside, by breaking into safes whose owners can no longer unlock them.
How Ted Lieu Became Google’s Accidental Champion
The Democratic lawmaker’s memorable moment during Sundar Pichai’s congressional testimony helped one party: Google.
Why People Love Spotify’s Annual Wrap-Ups
Data collection to believe in
What Google’s CEO Couldn’t Explain to Congress
Sundar Pichai struggled to explain the reality of his company’s power to a House committee convinced of a liberal conspiracy.
Showering Has a Dark, Violent History
In the 19th century, cold rinses and days-long baths became a way to treat—and control—psychiatric patients.
The Grim Future of Urban Warfare
New technologies are making war even more horrific.