People who are into physics and follow blogs actively have surely ran into MIT physicist Scott Aaronson, probably most well known for his critiques of the alleged D-Wave quantum computer. More recently, Scott has been writing a lot about consciousness, but his latest post – prepared talk notes from the Quantum Foundations of a Classical Universe meeting – is a… Continue reading “Could a quantum computer have subjective experience?” by Scott Aaronson — Mostly Physics
Nuclear Deterrence, COVID-19 and Infant Deaths, Criminal Justice Reform: RAND Weekly Recap
This week, we discuss what the United States can do to counter the potential threat of new Chinese missiles; the pandemic and rising infant deaths in Nigeria; COVID-19 era lessons for criminal justice reform; how investments in data could help prevent veteran suicide; protecting older adults from financial scams; and the emerging American mindset on… Continue reading Nuclear Deterrence, COVID-19 and Infant Deaths, Criminal Justice Reform: RAND Weekly Recap
The Global Supply Shock Is About To Enter A Negative Feedback Loop With Weakening Demand
We’ve been writing about the evolving global supply shock for some time (most recently today when we addressed what may be required to normalize the supply chain bottlenecks). And yet, every day we read about another dramatic commodity spike or factory shutdown. In a recent report from Deutsche Bank’s chief FX strategist George Saravelos, he… Continue reading The Global Supply Shock Is About To Enter A Negative Feedback Loop With Weakening Demand
Superhero Guardian Angels, Ark of the Covenant, Judas in Hell & More Weird Questions
Podcast: Download MYS178: It’s a fifth Friday so Cy Kellett of Catholic Answers Live is asking Jimmy Akin more weird questions from listeners, including what guardian angels would do for superheroes; where the Ark of the Covenant is; whether Judas is in Hell; are there pizza rolls in heaven, what role Neanderthals played in Creation;… Continue reading Superhero Guardian Angels, Ark of the Covenant, Judas in Hell & More Weird Questions
The US Residential Real Estate Market Lost a Few Whales
If you follow the US real estate market at all, you’ve probably heard about these “iBuyer” (instant buyer) programs started by some of the large real estate data companies like Zillow and Opendoor. The idea is that these firms hire really smart quantitative researchers who can create real estate pricing models that can accurately… Continue reading The US Residential Real Estate Market Lost a Few Whales
Recipe for a Fruitful Retreat
As a married father of three, it can sometimes feel like a guilty luxury to get away to attend to your spiritual needs. If anyone asks me how I manage it, my answer is always the same: “I have an awesome wife.” Much like in a marriage, the months and years can go by and… Continue reading Recipe for a Fruitful Retreat
This Engineer, Actor and Science Communicator Is Giving Science Its Rap
Maynard Okereke is using his distinctive voice to fight the lack of minority representation in STEM Credit: Maynard OkerekeAdvertisement For many of us, the past year and a half may have seemed to slow way down. And in fact, some studies have shown just this. But Maynard Okereke’s life has been anything but slow recently.… Continue reading This Engineer, Actor and Science Communicator Is Giving Science Its Rap
Russia’s Neighbors Have More Leverage Than They Think
If the Belarus opposition had won the Nobel Peace Prize, as some thought it might, antigovernment protests could have again engulfed Minsk and heightened anti-Kremlin sentiments. This scenario underscores the complexities Russia faces in seeking to influence or dominate post-Soviet neighbors. Despite their three decades of independence, the Kremlin seems to view neighbors as less… Continue reading Russia’s Neighbors Have More Leverage Than They Think
Danish Health Minister Threatens To “Shut Down Society” If More People Don’t Get Vaccinated
Authored by Paul Joseph Watson via Summit News, The Danish health minister is threatening to “shut down society” if more people don’t get vaccinated after the country experienced a COVID spike despite over 75 per cent of the population being fully vaccinated. As we highlighted on Monday, Denmark just suffered its worse COVID case load… Continue reading Danish Health Minister Threatens To “Shut Down Society” If More People Don’t Get Vaccinated
Canals on Mars? (Martian Life, Alien Life, Extraterrestrials, Exobiology)
Podcast: Download MYS179: After 19th-century astronomers said Mars has a worldwide network of canals, people speculated there was not just life but a civilization there. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli explore whether there is life on Mars, and if so, how it got there and what it is like. Get all new episodes automatically and… Continue reading Canals on Mars? (Martian Life, Alien Life, Extraterrestrials, Exobiology)