Some interesting research based on the Arab Spring uprisings suggests that the best people to follow on Twitter during a crisis are often not particularly influential on Twitter outside the crisis. Likewise, they aren't likely to have had many followers before the event. Essentially, it's evidence supporting the common sense idea that, if you want the most accurate and relevant information, your best bet is to find people closest to the source, rather than relying on third-hand accounts.
The tweets you should follow in a crisis aren't necessarily the most obvious
Survey finds 22% of scientists who do media interviews about COVID get violent threats
Nature surveyed 300 scientists who've done media interviews about COVID. The results had some surprisingly positive notes — 85% said "their experiences of engaging with the media were always or mostly positive, even if they were harassed afterwards". But as you might expect, a significant chunk described some ghastly abuse. Fully 15% got death threats,… READ THE REST
Solving the mystery of the boom that rocked New Hampshire on Sunday morning
On Sunday morning, residents of New Hampshire and parts of Massachusetts were rocked by a massive boom that shook homes in the region and understandably freaked people the hell out. Early theories that it was a supersonic aircraft or earthquake were quickly proven wrong. So what was it? Most likely a meteor exploded above New… READ THE REST
WHO approves the first malaria vaccine
Exciting vaccine news that's not about Covid: there's now a WHO-approved vaccine for malaria, a disease caused by a single-celled microorganism of the Plasmodium group— not a bacteria or virus. According to the NYT, this vaccine is "the first developed for any parasitic disease. Parasites are much more complex than viruses or bacteria, and the quest… READ THE REST
Don't want to pay a premium for a MacBook? This refurbished model works like new for $399
Let's be honest, not all of us need the newest MacBook Pro with all the bells and whistles to complete our personal or professional tasks, nor is paying the highest price a reasonable option. So what about a refurbished MacBook Pro? You'd be pleased to know that this doesn't mean sacrificing the quality associated with… READ THE REST
Take 70% off this 8K drone and elevate your photos and videos to pro status
It seems like everyone and their brother is a photographer or videographer these days. After all, our smartphones have high-quality cameras that allow us to snap publish-worthy shots and videos in a matter of seconds. However, if you're looking to take a modest hobby and turn it into something truly professional, you should get your… READ THE REST
This digital nomad bundle outfits you to work and learn from anywhere
The work from home revolution has rapidly become the work from anywhere revolution. But not everything has caught up to this new style of work, including the technology that powers digital nomads. Rebel workers can find all the tools they need with the DUEX Lite laptop screen, a lifetime subscription to VPN Unlimited, and unlimited… READ THE REST
