I haven't written much about the new IPCC report here, largely because it doesn't say much you don't already know: The Earth is getting warmer and human activities are to blame for a good chunk of that warming. So what are we still arguing about? In a new column for Ensia magazine, I talk to climate scientists who make the case that the debate is less about science and more about individual values that affect how different people want to tackle the problems that the science exposes. (And, even, how big different people think those problems really are.) While the fact of climate change is difficult to refute, there's plenty of room for legitimate disagreement (and reasonable discussion) about values and the political policies that they shape.
Climate debate – is it about science, or values?
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
Uncover your cat's genetic mysteries with this affordable, at-home test
We thank our sponsor for making this content possible; it is not written by the editorial staff nor does it necessarily reflect its views. Cats are such mysterious and complex creatures, aren't they? Dogs feel easy to crack as pets. But with cats, it can be unclear what is going on underneath those big, glassy eyes. We… READ THE REST
Get a lifetime of top-tier VPN protection for just $16
We thank our sponsor for making this content possible; it is not written by the editorial staff nor does it necessarily reflect its views. It's no secret that online hackers exist and are constantly lurking around for sensitive information at any opportunity they can. With every piece of your personal information and essential memories being stored online,… READ THE REST
Ditch the extra cup of coffee. This gadget can really boost your productivity
Whether gaming in your spare time or burying yourself in spreadsheets at your 9-to-5, efficiency matters. And while you may have the latest and greatest laptop or smartphone to work on, its small screen can totally kill your enjoyment, especially when you're hopping over to different apps or watching your favorite streaming content. If you're looking for a way… READ THE REST
