Technology

Is It Possible to Suspend Disbelief at Ayad Akhtar’s AI  Play?

Is It Possible to Suspend Disbelief at Ayad Akhtar’s AI  Play? Is It Possible to Suspend Disbelief at Ayad Akhtar’s AI  Play?

The Robert Downey Jr.–starring McNeal, which was possibly cowritten with the help of AI, is a showcase for the new technology’s mediocrity.

Nov 14, 2024 / Books & the Arts / Rhoda Feng

Elon Musk and Donald Trump look at one another.

Elon Musk Gives Democrats a Chance to Run Against Oligarchy Elon Musk Gives Democrats a Chance to Run Against Oligarchy

Donald Trump’s richest supporter has been busy finding new ways to corrupt democracy.

Oct 21, 2024 / Jeet Heer

Volunteers help distribute meal bags in Zambia during a severe drought.

Copper Colonialism Is Wrecking Zambia’s Farmlands and Waterways Copper Colonialism Is Wrecking Zambia’s Farmlands and Waterways

Zambia is just one of several nations experiencing a new type of colonialism, this time with a green capitalist veneer.

Oct 17, 2024 / Joshua Frank

AI Is Taking Over College Admissions

AI Is Taking Over College Admissions AI Is Taking Over College Admissions

For many high school students, artificial intelligence only heightens the anxieties around applying to college. How much of their application will be read by a human?

Oct 11, 2024 / StudentNation / Marium Zahra

A student uses their cell phone after unlocking the pouch that secures it from use during the school day at Bayside Academy in California.

Why a School Cell Phone Ban Isn't the Right Call Why a School Cell Phone Ban Isn't the Right Call

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has considered a statewide ban on smart devices in schools, but many parents, students, and teachers have a more nuanced view.

Oct 8, 2024 / StudentNation / Ushoshi Das

Military police face crowd of marching protesters

How Can We Wean Ourselves Off Our Country’s Military Dependency? How Can We Wean Ourselves Off Our Country’s Military Dependency?

Moving resources and skills and jobs from the military-industrial complex to civilian sectors is a big project. But it could start in your own community.

Oct 3, 2024 / Frida Berrigan

A close-up photo of Fredric Jameson smiling in front of a microphone.

Fredric Jameson Named the System We Are Still Fighting Fredric Jameson Named the System We Are Still Fighting

The late literary critic revitalized Marxism to critique our postmodern and globalized reality.

Oct 3, 2024 / Obituary / Jeet Heer

Power lines for Bitcoin mining warehouses in Rockdale, Tex.

We Deserve a Quieter World We Deserve a Quieter World

With every AI project abandoned, every bitcoin not mined, every pickup truck not sold, every jet fighter not flown, people somewhere will get relief from noise pollution.

Sep 18, 2024 / Stan Cox

Watts Bar Nuclear Plant.

The Case for Public Nuclear Power The Case for Public Nuclear Power

With additional funding, the Tennessee Valley Authority could provide union jobs, kick-start American industrial production, and help the world go green.

Sep 12, 2024 / Fred Stafford

Mark Zuckerberg, chief executive officer of Meta Platforms Inc., arrives for an interview on

Big Tech Is Very Afraid of a Very Modest AI Safety Bill Big Tech Is Very Afraid of a Very Modest AI Safety Bill

Despite claiming to support AI safety, powerful tech interests are trying to kill SB1047.

Aug 30, 2024 / Lawrence Lessig

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