Technology & Innovation — October 22, 2009

Hacked Off

In these ‘lean times’ media agencies are angered by journalist’s living it large all-expenses-paid.

A furore has been caused after it was revealed that notable writers from the The New York Times and The Washington Post enjoyed a free trip to Jamaica last week courtesy of consumer sponsors including Thrillist and JetBlue. The luxury holiday included a round-trip flight from JFK International to Montego Bay and two nights at a top hotel where they received “overstuffed gift bags…filled with T-shirts, sunglasses” and other freebees, according to Daily Finance. Embarrassed by their antics — which has caused criticism of the hacks’ willingness to live-it-large at the expense of a commercial venture — The Washington Post released a statement saying it plans to reimburse the cost of the trip. The Times chose to disassociate itself one of its reporters on the trip (Mike Albo) stressing that he was a “freelancer” and saying that he was not on a Times assignment. All parties appeared pretty hacked off.

Collage of classical art suggesting a theme related to somatic markers.

Business

How “somatic markers” can transform your decision-making

Ditch the old brain vs. heart assumptions, and instead think about a heart-led brain.

A black and white image of a bunch of spheres, symbolizing the multiverse concept discussed by scientists.

Starts With A Bang

How logic and reasoning can fail as scientific tools

In logic, 'reductio ad absurdum' shows how flawed arguments fall apart. Our absurd Universe, however, often defies our intuitive reasoning.

A wooden sign indicating "assisted migration rep 2" in a pine forest under a clear blue sky.

Life

Moving trees north to save the forests

As the world warms, trees in forests such as those in Minnesota will no longer be adapted to their local climates. That’s where assisted migration comes in.

Historical map illustration depicting a planned city layout with a circular central area and radiating streets.

Strange Maps

Ohio’s Circleville ditched the grid system. Then it got squared.

A small Ohio town tried to escape America’s addiction to rectangular grids. It didn’t last long.

Bullet Cluster separation mass gravity x-ray lensing

Starts With A Bang

Flagship NASA space telescope faces a penny-pinching death

NASA's only flagship X-ray telescope ever, Chandra, still works and has no planned successor. So why does the President want to kill it?

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