Efforts to measure happiness and compare it across countries may help policymakers determine which policies correlate strongly with satisfaction and invest in them. However, Sigal Samuel reveals that such quotas often come with cultural biases. Read by Emily Woo Zeller.

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One big problem with how we rank countries by happiness

Neuralink has implanted a chip in its first human brain. But it's pushing a needlessly risky approach, former employees say. Sigal Samuel reflects on the potential dangers and ethical implications of Elon Musk's ambitious goal to merge humans with AI. Read by Gary Furlong.

Elon Musk wants to merge humans with AI. How many brains will be damaged along the way?

More and more industries are adopting “dynamic pricing” — and consumers aren’t happy. Whizy Kim reports on the controversy as fast food chains consider implementing the pricing and why it is raising concerns over fairness and transparency. Read by Gina Rogers.

Uber-style pricing is coming for everything

Scientists are realizing GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic have the potential to turn down cravings for more than just food. Brian Resnick reflects on how this discovery offers a new approach to managing addiction and compulsive consumption behaviours. Read by Karl Miller.

Is Ozempic an anti-desire drug?

The recent Supreme Court rulings on Trump's legal matters follow a trend of favouring authoritarian tendencies. Ian Millhiser advocates for increased citizen engagement in safeguarding democracy rather than relying solely on the courts. Read by Michael Satow.

The courts were never going to save America from Donald Trump

Despite effective treatments like medication-assisted therapy, stigma, inadequate access to evidence-based care, and systemic barriers hinder progress in addressing opioid addiction. Investigating the problem, Lydialyle Gibson reveals that there are both societal and medical challenges at play. Read by Marni Penning.

We have treatments for opioid addiction that work. So why is the problem getting worse?

Investigating the Earth’s “greening phenomenon”, Benji Jones explains how air pollution, farming and tree planting are altering the colour and composition of our ecosystem, and why scientists are raising the alarm. Read by Ron Butler.

The Earth is getting greener. Hurray?

The sun's magnetic poles are set to reverse - an event that occurs every 11 years - leading to increased solar activity that can impact technology on Earth. 

Brian Resnick explains how this phase provides crucial research opportunities for scientists to enhance space weather prediction and understand the sun's role in supporting life. Read by Ron Butler.

The sun’s poles are about to flip. It’s awesome — and slightly terrifying

Apple’s mixed reality headset heralds a new era of “spatial computing.” We are not ready. Adam Clark Estes reflects on the societal and psychological impacts of integrating digital layers into our real-world perception. Read by Michael Satow.

What wearing Apple’s Vision Pro headset does to our brains

The fall of Boeing has been decades in the making. Whizy Kim reflects on the company's deep-seated corporate culture of prioritizing cost-cutting over safety, exacerbated by Boeing's transition from engineer-led to profit-focused management. Read by Emily Woo Zeller.

How Boeing put profits over planes

Is Nikki Haley a moderate or a conservative?

People often refer to Nikki Haley as a "moderate." But what does that really mean? By looking at her policy positions, Zack Beauchamp reveals that she’s a down-the-line conservative on almost every issue — except for one really important one. Read by Sean Crisden.

Is Nikki Haley a moderate or a conservative? Yes.

Over the past decade, Hinge has tried its hardest to "fix" online dating, but user dissatisfaction continues. Is the real problem us?

Hanna Kozlowska reflects on the ongoing quest for genuine connections in the complexities of modern dating. Read by Emily Woo Zeller.

Online daters love to hate on Hinge. 10 years in, it’s more popular than ever.

Start-ups are selling grief tech, ghost bots, and the end of mourning as we know it. Mihika Agarwal reflects on how grief is the unlikely newcomer to Silicon Valley's domain. Read by Emily Woo Zeller.

The race to optimize grief

The quantum computing industry has a road map to the future — but can it reach its destination? Bryan Walsh explores the progress and challenges of quantum computing, spotlighting IBM's advancements and the delicate nature of qubits. Read by Ron Butler.

Qubit by qubit, the quantum computers of tomorrow are coming into being

Over 60 companies tested four-day workweeks. 92% aren't going back to their old schedule. That's because the results were overwhelmingly positive. However, Oshan Jarow argues that shorter work weeks are only the beginning of what worker power can achieve. Read by Sean Crisden.

Why stop at the four-day workweek?

You don’t need to be good at a hobby to enjoy it. Allie Volpe shares insights on how to navigate mediocrity and steer toward growth when trying something new. Read by Sharon McCune.

It’s okay to suck when you try something new

Money always helps, but one lump sum can last a long time for the very poor. Dylan Matthews explores the outcomes of GiveDirectly's large basic income experiment in rural Kenya. Read by Michael Satow.

The first results from the world’s biggest basic income experiment

Two decades after 9/11, extremist groups continue to pull off surprise attacks. Joshua Keating explores why the most advanced intelligence agencies, such as those in Israel and the U.S., continue to fall victim to surprise. Read by Michael Satow.

Why we still underestimate what groups like Hamas are capable of

Influencer culture is incompatible with anti-capitalism, and it's helping the internet become one big ad. Rebecca Jennings reflects on the fleeting trend of 'deinfluencing' in 2023. Read by Marni Penning.

The lie of “deinfluencing”

Some countries have tried everything from cash to patriotic calls to duty to reverse drastically declining birth rates. It hasn't worked. Anna North reveals that social factors beyond government intervention influence fertility choices and are compelling policymakers to address the challenges of an ageing population. Read by Gina Rogers.