670 million people—roughly half of India's population—has been without electricity for two days, following a massive blackout. The United States has a much more modern grid, but only nine years ago a blackout in the Northeast of this country cut power to 45 million. How does a huge blackout like that happen? What are we doing to prevent another one? I'll be on Southern California Public Radio's Madeline Brand Show this morning to talk about how America's electric grid works … and doesn't work. The show starts at 9:00 Pacific time and I'll be on around the top of the hour.
India's in the dark, are we next?
Social media breaks make you "happier and less anxious"
Would it surprise you to learn that taking time off social media, even for just a week, results in "significant improvements in well-being, depression and anxiety?" [via] We randomly allocated 154 participants (mean age of 29.6 years) to either stop using SM (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok) for 1 week or continue to use SM… READ THE REST
Study: games and video-watching correlate with kids getting smarter, social media a wash
On the impact of digital media on childhood intelligence, games and watching videos were consistent with cognitive benefits. Socializing digitally, however, had no consistent effect. Here we estimated the effect of each three types of screen time (Watching TV and online videos, Socializing via social media, text, and video chat, and Gaming) on intelligence after… READ THE REST
This may be a piece of the asteroid that killed the dinosaurs
Last month, we learned that researchers excavating North Dakota's Tanis fossil site found an incredibly well-preserved leg of a dinosaur. The creature—and others at the site—were likely killed by the impact of the 12 kilometer-wide Chicxulub asteroid that crashed into the Gulf of Mexico 66 million years ago and eradicated 80% of Earth's animals. Turns… READ THE REST
Turn any room into a far-off galaxy with this epic projector
Even if you've spent hours scrolling through Pinterest and Instagram looking for interior decor ideas to no avail, perhaps something a little "otherworldly" would give your space that something special. Whether it's your kid's room or your living room, a quick transformation doesn't have to be as complicated as you think. Before you start painting… READ THE REST
The ultimate gift for any 'Star Wars' fan is here
You know how some movie lines are so iconic, you have to actually imitate the actor's voice when you quote them? Think "I'll be back" from "Terminator" or "My precious" from "The Lord Of The Rings." That's how we feel about "Luke, I am your father" from "Star Wars" (and basically every other phrase Darth… READ THE REST
Capture your memories with this waterproof Polaroid camera for $49.99.
As the years go by, the photos we have are the best and most vivid way to remember our defining moments with loved ones and of great adventure. Typically, though, the family birthday pool parties, epic kayaking adventures on the river, and sublime snorkeling with sea turtles, are left without much photographic evidence. The refurbished… READ THE REST
