The Omega Point
Jason Silva’s latest explores the Omega Point, a term coined by Pierre Teilhard de Chardin to describe the maximum level of complexity and consciousness towards which the universe was evolving.
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DNA storage: The code that could save civilisation
Neither Ewan Birney nor Nick Goldman can remember exactly how they came up with the idea of storing all the world’s knowledge in DNA. They know it happened in the bar of the Gastwerk Hotel in Hamburg, and that many beers were involved. They may or may not have scrawled their ideas on a napkin….
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The Iron in Our Blood That Keeps and Kills Us
In this search for the origin of one of the world’s most common genetic diseases, emerging research in evolutionary medicine raises new questions about our history, development, and future as a species.
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On Simulated Mars Mission, Sleep Becomes Crucial Issue
Scientists study six astronauts in a faux spacecraft for 17 months. Most experienced some trouble sleeping — a problem that could be disastrous on a real mission.
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Jason Silva and the Six Epochs of Evolution
When it comes to futurists, there are pessimists and there are enthusiasts. Jason Silva brings a new meaning to the latter.
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The Most Exciting Alien Planets of 2012
From massive bodies that fell just short of becoming stars to the tiniest solar systems known, 2012 has brought an array of intriguing exoplanets to light. And double-star systems that once seemed unlikely to host planets have produced a wealth of them this year. Here’s a look at some of the most exciting alien planets…
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Space Radiation May Accelerate Alzheimer’s in Astronauts
Radiation in space might harm the brains of astronauts in deep space by accelerating the development of Alzheimer’s disease, a new study on mice suggests. The research reveals another risk that manned deep-space missions to places such as Mars or the asteroids could pose, scientists added. “This study shows for the first time that exposure…
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The Next Steps in Space Exploration
Advocates of manned space flight have long argued that propelling people into orbits has a public appeal unmatched by robotic missions. That was true when astronauts were racing to the moon, but since the Apollo program ended 40 years ago unmanned exploration has provided almost all of our extraterrestrial excitement – at a far lower…
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Do We Live in a Computer Simulation?
A decade ago, a British philosopher put forth the notion that the universe we live in might in fact be a computer simulation run by our descendants. While that seems far-fetched, perhaps even incomprehensible, a team of physicists at the University of Washington has come up with a potential test to see if the idea…
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NASA Lacks Coherent Direction
A report sponsored by NASA has concluded that the agency is failing to inspire the world, the nation or even its own staff, and is unlikely to achieve long-term objectives such as a manned Mars landing. In a report commissioned by Congress last year, the National Research Council also says that NASA’s budget doesn’t match…