The precautionary principle comes up a lot when you're talking about the side effects of technology in the real world. When you don't have evidence that something is dangerous — but you suspect it might be — you could cite the precautionary principle as a reason to ban or limit the use of that thing. It's a messy idea, though, and I'm still not sure what to think about it. On the one hand, technology is often available before data on the wide-ranging effects of that technology are available. Do you use it or not is a legitimate question. On the other hand, following the precautionary principle in a blind sort of way can lead to things like this.
How safe is safe?
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Victorian illustration depicting effects of laughing gas makes science look like a wild party
In the age before warning labels and liability waivers, scientific experimentation often looked like something between a séance and a rave. Case in point: this glorious 1807 illustration from a… READ THE REST
Meet nature's smartest blob: The mysterious world of slime molds
Slime molds are weird. They are blobs that don't have brains or nervous systems, yet they can navigate mazes better than some humans, and remember past events without neurons. Despite… READ THE REST
Rare deep-sea squid captured alive on camera for the first time
National Geographic researchers made a breakthrough discovery in the Southern Ocean — capturing the first-ever footage of a living Gonatus antarcticus squid, a mysterious creature previously known only from dead… READ THE REST
Get back in the game faster with this Nintendo Switch Joy-Con charger
TL;DR: Keep your Nintendo Switch's controllers powered up with the HyperX ChargePlay Quad 2: Nintendo Switch Joy-Con Controller Charging Station, now just $16.99. Nintendo Switch lovers know the pain of settling in… READ THE REST
This $50 Android tablet was made for all-day use
TL;DR: Tackle whatever the day brings you with this onn. 10.1″ Android Tablet, now only $49.99 (reg. $99). When you want the freedom to move without losing touch, a tablet is… READ THE REST
Bring your dreams to life with AI Magicx
TL;DR: The AI Magicx: Lifetime Subscription (Rune Plan) is on sale for $59.97 (reg. $972.00) until July 20. Got strange and wonderful dreams you'd like to revisit? To recreate the… READ THE REST