Recent articles I’ve found interesting.

New ‘radio map’ of the Milky Way reveals where stars are born and die
Astronomers unveil the surprising hidden geometry of a supernova
Australian Space Agency seeks to build national research hub to tackle growing space debris threat
The Solar System Is Racing Through Space Far Faster Than Expected
Mysterious Glow Detected in Space Could Be Dark Matter Destroying Itself
Cannabis dispensaries lead to reduced opioid prescriptions: Studies among first to support plausible causation
Researchers reveal a groundbreaking new theory of evolution
Mind readers: How large language models encode theory-of-mind
Solving mysteries with moss: The history of using tiny plants as forensic evidence
Earth’s largest modern crater discovered in Southern China
The ‘Great Unified Microscope’ can see both micro and nanoscale structures
AI at the speed of light just became a possibility
Reading a quantum clock costs more energy than running it, study finds
Chinese team finds a fern that makes rare earth elements
GIORGIO III, Hans Zimmer’s monumental synthesiser manufactured by SynTesla
Quantum Computers Look Like Chandeliers. This is Why.
Brian Cox: The incomprehensible scales that rule the Universe
What is a “tourbillon” and what is its purpose?
Specialized potteries reveal complex organization of El Argar society 4,000 years ago

The original paper has a much more convincing photo of the crater (and more detailed information). It’s worth looking at.

The phys.org journalist obscured stuff in their version of the paper’s images shown in the phys.org article, referenced above in your OP.

https://pubs.aip.org/aip/mre/article/11/1/013001/3367917/Jinlin-crater-Guangdong-Province-China-Impact

Now ask it to spell strawberries.

Theia and Earth were neighbors, new research suggests

Little bettongs’ dramatic nut-cracker performance

Tau.Neutrino said:

Little bettongs’ dramatic nut-cracker performance

The little bettong who could.

Scientists solve the mystery of how ancient peatlands spread after Ice Age

This Tiny ‘Spark’ Could Help Solve The Mystery of Lightning’s Origins

Tau.Neutrino said:

This Tiny ‘Spark’ Could Help Solve The Mystery of Lightning’s Origins

They mention the shape of the lightning in a link there.
Reminds me of the weirdest lightning I’ve ever seen, in about 1997 or so out near Emerald on a freight run in a Metroliner. Instead of the lightning being the classic jagged line type, it was pretty much straight. So it was like huge laser beams were hitting the ground near the town. I decided to give that area a fair gap and flew a bit more east than the direct path I was otherwise on.

Spiny Norman said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

This Tiny ‘Spark’ Could Help Solve The Mystery of Lightning’s Origins

They mention the shape of the lightning in a link there.
Reminds me of the weirdest lightning I’ve ever seen, in about 1997 or so out near Emerald on a freight run in a Metroliner. Instead of the lightning being the classic jagged line type, it was pretty much straight. So it was like huge laser beams were hitting the ground near the town. I decided to give that area a fair gap and flew a bit more east than the direct path I was otherwise on.

Sensible move, lighting doesn’t play well with most things living, dead or machine

Spiny Norman said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

This Tiny ‘Spark’ Could Help Solve The Mystery of Lightning’s Origins

They mention the shape of the lightning in a link there.
Reminds me of the weirdest lightning I’ve ever seen, in about 1997 or so out near Emerald on a freight run in a Metroliner. Instead of the lightning being the classic jagged line type, it was pretty much straight. So it was like huge laser beams were hitting the ground near the town. I decided to give that area a fair gap and flew a bit more east than the direct path I was otherwise on.

Here’s a video of a straight strike.

Rare straight lightning over Zimbabwe

Very rare like ball lightning .

Tau.Neutrino said:

Spiny Norman said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

This Tiny ‘Spark’ Could Help Solve The Mystery of Lightning’s Origins

They mention the shape of the lightning in a link there.
Reminds me of the weirdest lightning I’ve ever seen, in about 1997 or so out near Emerald on a freight run in a Metroliner. Instead of the lightning being the classic jagged line type, it was pretty much straight. So it was like huge laser beams were hitting the ground near the town. I decided to give that area a fair gap and flew a bit more east than the direct path I was otherwise on.

Here’s a video of a straight strike.

Rare straight lightning over Zimbabwe

Very rare like ball lightning .

Yep, that looks a lot like it.

Tau.Neutrino said:

Spiny Norman said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

This Tiny ‘Spark’ Could Help Solve The Mystery of Lightning’s Origins

They mention the shape of the lightning in a link there.
Reminds me of the weirdest lightning I’ve ever seen, in about 1997 or so out near Emerald on a freight run in a Metroliner. Instead of the lightning being the classic jagged line type, it was pretty much straight. So it was like huge laser beams were hitting the ground near the town. I decided to give that area a fair gap and flew a bit more east than the direct path I was otherwise on.

Here’s a video of a straight strike.

Rare straight lightning over Zimbabwe

Very rare like ball lightning .

isn’t that one of those incendiary bombs from Israel or Russia though

This Massive Sphere Buried Under a Mountain in China Just Caught ‘Ghost’ Particles Breaking Physics

Tau.Neutrino said:

This Massive Sphere Buried Under a Mountain in China Just Caught ‘Ghost’ Particles Breaking Physics

well there’s something in

This friendly race among continents is reshaping neutrino science. “JUNO’s success reflects the commitment and creativity of our entire international community,” said Marcos Dracos of the University of Strasbourg and CNRS/IN2P3 in France. More than 700 scientists from 74 institutions in 17 countries are part of the collaboration.

there for everyone

SCIENCE said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

This Massive Sphere Buried Under a Mountain in China Just Caught ‘Ghost’ Particles Breaking Physics

well there’s something in

This friendly race among continents is reshaping neutrino science. “JUNO’s success reflects the commitment and creativity of our entire international community,” said Marcos Dracos of the University of Strasbourg and CNRS/IN2P3 in France. More than 700 scientists from 74 institutions in 17 countries are part of the collaboration.

there for everyone

Well I hope they all get together and mend physics after they have had their fun breaking it.

The Rev Dodgson said:

SCIENCE said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

This Massive Sphere Buried Under a Mountain in China Just Caught ‘Ghost’ Particles Breaking Physics

well there’s something in

This friendly race among continents is reshaping neutrino science. “JUNO’s success reflects the commitment and creativity of our entire international community,” said Marcos Dracos of the University of Strasbourg and CNRS/IN2P3 in France. More than 700 scientists from 74 institutions in 17 countries are part of the collaboration.

there for everyone

Well I hope they all get together and mend physics after they have had their fun breaking it.

Yes, I heard about that, oops indeed.

The Roman empire built 300,000 kilometres of roads: new study

Physicists Just Showed the Faraday Effect Works in a Totally New Way

Scientists have discovered that light’s long-ignored magnetic field may directly drive the Faraday effect.

More…

HKU Team Unveils Moisture-Powered Generator

Tau.Neutrino said:

HKU Team Unveils Moisture-Powered Generator

Hydroelectricity!

Michael V said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

HKU Team Unveils Moisture-Powered Generator

Hydroelectricity!

Flow of ions on a tiny scale.

Scientists Have Discovered the Holy Grail of Beer Brewing

Your brain slices speech into words faster than you blink

Every day, your brain performs a remarkable trick: it carves a torrent of sound into crisp, recognizable words at lightning speed. New research shows this ability isn’t driven solely by higher language centers.

More…

Tau.Neutrino said:

Your brain slices speech into words faster than you blink

Every day, your brain performs a remarkable trick: it carves a torrent of sound into crisp, recognizable words at lightning speed. New research shows this ability isn’t driven solely by higher language centers.

More…

well there you go neural networks perform learning activity damn surprise

“This shows that the STG isn’t just hearing sounds, it’s using experience to identify words as they’re being spoken,” said Dr. Edward Chang, Chair of Neurological Surgery at UCSF.

Scientists develop tiny engine that’s hotter than the Sun

Scientists can now watch metal crystals grow inside liquid metal

Tau.Neutrino said:

Scientists can now watch metal crystals grow inside liquid metal

Nice work!

:)

Newly Discovered Organism Could Represent a Whole New Branch in The Tree of Life

Study claims to provide first direct evidence of dark matter

Scientists Near Breakthrough on Auroral Storm Mystery

Is the universe Infinite?

Dark matter-dark energy interaction shapes cosmic halo spin and alignment, simulations show

Tau.Neutrino said:

Is the universe Infinite?

As usual, doesn’t even consider the possibility it might be flat and finite.

The Rev Dodgson said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

Is the universe Infinite?

As usual, doesn’t even consider the possibility it might be flat and finite.

That article does consider that it might be flat and finite – these all fit that description:

>This is the difference between geometry and topology. The geometry of the universe appears to be flat. But one or more dimensions could be closed, meaning they wrap around while still maintaining geometric flatness. And it can get weirder. A Mobius strip is just a cylinder with a rotation made before the ends connect up. A Klein bottle is just a donut with a rotation. A cylinder, a donut, a Mobius strip, and a Klein bottle are all geometrically flat.

In three dimensions, there are 17 known distinct topologies that are all geometrically flat. My favorite being, of course, Hansc-Wendt space, which involves hexagonal tilings of the same pattern.

Bubblecar said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

Is the universe Infinite?

As usual, doesn’t even consider the possibility it might be flat and finite.

That article does consider that it might be flat and finite – these all fit that description:

>This is the difference between geometry and topology. The geometry of the universe appears to be flat. But one or more dimensions could be closed, meaning they wrap around while still maintaining geometric flatness. And it can get weirder. A Mobius strip is just a cylinder with a rotation made before the ends connect up. A Klein bottle is just a donut with a rotation. A cylinder, a donut, a Mobius strip, and a Klein bottle are all geometrically flat.

In three dimensions, there are 17 known distinct topologies that are all geometrically flat. My favorite being, of course, Hansc-Wendt space, which involves hexagonal tilings of the same pattern.

OK, let me re-phrase that:

As usual, doesn’t even consider the possibility it might be a flat and finite 3D space within a larger flat 3D space, which itself might be finite or infinite.

Bubblecar said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

Is the universe Infinite?

As usual, doesn’t even consider the possibility it might be flat and finite.

That article does consider that it might be flat and finite – these all fit that description:

>This is the difference between geometry and topology. The geometry of the universe appears to be flat. But one or more dimensions could be closed, meaning they wrap around while still maintaining geometric flatness. And it can get weirder. A Mobius strip is just a cylinder with a rotation made before the ends connect up. A Klein bottle is just a donut with a rotation. A cylinder, a donut, a Mobius strip, and a Klein bottle are all geometrically flat.

In three dimensions, there are 17 known distinct topologies that are all geometrically flat. My favorite being, of course, Hansc-Wendt space, which involves hexagonal tilings of the same pattern.

plus it is an article not a paper.

The Rev Dodgson said:

Bubblecar said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

As usual, doesn’t even consider the possibility it might be flat and finite.

That article does consider that it might be flat and finite – these all fit that description:

>This is the difference between geometry and topology. The geometry of the universe appears to be flat. But one or more dimensions could be closed, meaning they wrap around while still maintaining geometric flatness. And it can get weirder. A Mobius strip is just a cylinder with a rotation made before the ends connect up. A Klein bottle is just a donut with a rotation. A cylinder, a donut, a Mobius strip, and a Klein bottle are all geometrically flat.

In three dimensions, there are 17 known distinct topologies that are all geometrically flat. My favorite being, of course, Hansc-Wendt space, which involves hexagonal tilings of the same pattern.

OK, let me re-phrase that:

As usual, doesn’t even consider the possibility it might be a flat and finite 3D space within a larger flat 3D space, which itself might be finite or infinite.

It doesn’t consider that possibility because cosmologists don’t consider an object to be “the universe” if it’s embedded in a larger external space.

That larger external space becomes “the universe”. Thus you then just come back to the question of whether that’s finite or infinite. Since there’s no empirical reason to propose the larger external space, there’s no point doing that.

Bubblecar said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

Bubblecar said:

That article does consider that it might be flat and finite – these all fit that description:

>This is the difference between geometry and topology. The geometry of the universe appears to be flat. But one or more dimensions could be closed, meaning they wrap around while still maintaining geometric flatness. And it can get weirder. A Mobius strip is just a cylinder with a rotation made before the ends connect up. A Klein bottle is just a donut with a rotation. A cylinder, a donut, a Mobius strip, and a Klein bottle are all geometrically flat.

In three dimensions, there are 17 known distinct topologies that are all geometrically flat. My favorite being, of course, Hansc-Wendt space, which involves hexagonal tilings of the same pattern.

OK, let me re-phrase that:

As usual, doesn’t even consider the possibility it might be a flat and finite 3D space within a larger flat 3D space, which itself might be finite or infinite.

It doesn’t consider that possibility because cosmologists don’t consider an object to be “the universe” if it’s embedded in a larger external space.

That larger external space becomes “the universe”. Thus you then just come back to the question of whether that’s finite or infinite. Since there’s no empirical reason to propose the larger external space, there’s no point doing that.

No, that’s just an excuse to avoid discussing it.

“The Universe” is usually used to mean all the stuff that can be traced back to the big bang. Of course there may be a meta universe with anything from 1 to an infinite number of other big bangs, but we have no way of knowing anything about that, and it isn’t what people are usually talking about when discussing “The Universe”.

JudgeMental said:

Bubblecar said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

As usual, doesn’t even consider the possibility it might be flat and finite.

That article does consider that it might be flat and finite – these all fit that description:

>This is the difference between geometry and topology. The geometry of the universe appears to be flat. But one or more dimensions could be closed, meaning they wrap around while still maintaining geometric flatness. And it can get weirder. A Mobius strip is just a cylinder with a rotation made before the ends connect up. A Klein bottle is just a donut with a rotation. A cylinder, a donut, a Mobius strip, and a Klein bottle are all geometrically flat.

In three dimensions, there are 17 known distinct topologies that are all geometrically flat. My favorite being, of course, Hansc-Wendt space, which involves hexagonal tilings of the same pattern.

plus it is an article not a paper.

Why should articles not consider the possibility of a flat finite 3D universe inside a bigger flat 3D space?

The Rev Dodgson said:

Bubblecar said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

OK, let me re-phrase that:

As usual, doesn’t even consider the possibility it might be a flat and finite 3D space within a larger flat 3D space, which itself might be finite or infinite.

It doesn’t consider that possibility because cosmologists don’t consider an object to be “the universe” if it’s embedded in a larger external space.

That larger external space becomes “the universe”. Thus you then just come back to the question of whether that’s finite or infinite. Since there’s no empirical reason to propose the larger external space, there’s no point doing that.

No, that’s just an excuse to avoid discussing it.

“The Universe” is usually used to mean all the stuff that can be traced back to the big bang. Of course there may be a meta universe with anything from 1 to an infinite number of other big bangs, but we have no way of knowing anything about that, and it isn’t what people are usually talking about when discussing “The Universe”.

Nonetheless, if scientists did have knowledge of an external space, they’d no longer be referring to this little region as “the universe” – they’d coin some other term and the new, bigger model would take over in cosmology. They certainly have no need to find excuses to “avoid discussing” such a thing.

There is of course a rich field of speculative stuff out there about multiverses and metaverses but not all of it is considered serious science. The “hard” models are much more economical because they aim to keep within the limits of observation.

I once posted a thread raising the possibility that “the universe” is just a misguided human notion – that there may not be a thing out there that is both everything AND a unified system that be can be modelled by physics.

That idea might seem interesting at first but obviously it can’t be pursued very far because it’s inherently unfalsifiable.

The Rev Dodgson said:

JudgeMental said:

Bubblecar said:

That article does consider that it might be flat and finite – these all fit that description:

>This is the difference between geometry and topology. The geometry of the universe appears to be flat. But one or more dimensions could be closed, meaning they wrap around while still maintaining geometric flatness. And it can get weirder. A Mobius strip is just a cylinder with a rotation made before the ends connect up. A Klein bottle is just a donut with a rotation. A cylinder, a donut, a Mobius strip, and a Klein bottle are all geometrically flat.

In three dimensions, there are 17 known distinct topologies that are all geometrically flat. My favorite being, of course, Hansc-Wendt space, which involves hexagonal tilings of the same pattern.

plus it is an article not a paper.

Why should articles not consider the possibility of a flat finite 3D universe inside a bigger flat 3D space?

maybe they’re referring to the fact that paper are flat and finite but articles … wait

SCIENCE said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

JudgeMental said:

plus it is an article not a paper.

Why should articles not consider the possibility of a flat finite 3D universe inside a bigger flat 3D space?

maybe they’re referring to the fact that paper are flat and finite but articles … wait

OK, good point.

Bubblecar said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

Bubblecar said:

It doesn’t consider that possibility because cosmologists don’t consider an object to be “the universe” if it’s embedded in a larger external space.

That larger external space becomes “the universe”. Thus you then just come back to the question of whether that’s finite or infinite. Since there’s no empirical reason to propose the larger external space, there’s no point doing that.

No, that’s just an excuse to avoid discussing it.

“The Universe” is usually used to mean all the stuff that can be traced back to the big bang. Of course there may be a meta universe with anything from 1 to an infinite number of other big bangs, but we have no way of knowing anything about that, and it isn’t what people are usually talking about when discussing “The Universe”.

Nonetheless, if scientists did have knowledge of an external space, they’d no longer be referring to this little region as “the universe” – they’d coin some other term and the new, bigger model would take over in cosmology. They certainly have no need to find excuses to “avoid discussing” such a thing.

There is of course a rich field of speculative stuff out there about multiverses and metaverses but not all of it is considered serious science. The “hard” models are much more economical because they aim to keep within the limits of observation.

I once posted a thread raising the possibility that “the universe” is just a misguided human notion – that there may not be a thing out there that is both everything AND a unified system that be can be modelled by physics.

That idea might seem interesting at first but obviously it can’t be pursued very far because it’s inherently unfalsifiable.

“ They certainly have no need to find excuses to “avoid discussing” such a thing.”

But there does seem to be a strange reluctance to discuss it, or even provide some reasons why it is not worthy of discussion.

The Rev Dodgson said:

Bubblecar said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

No, that’s just an excuse to avoid discussing it.

“The Universe” is usually used to mean all the stuff that can be traced back to the big bang. Of course there may be a meta universe with anything from 1 to an infinite number of other big bangs, but we have no way of knowing anything about that, and it isn’t what people are usually talking about when discussing “The Universe”.

Nonetheless, if scientists did have knowledge of an external space, they’d no longer be referring to this little region as “the universe” – they’d coin some other term and the new, bigger model would take over in cosmology. They certainly have no need to find excuses to “avoid discussing” such a thing.

There is of course a rich field of speculative stuff out there about multiverses and metaverses but not all of it is considered serious science. The “hard” models are much more economical because they aim to keep within the limits of observation.

I once posted a thread raising the possibility that “the universe” is just a misguided human notion – that there may not be a thing out there that is both everything AND a unified system that be can be modelled by physics.

That idea might seem interesting at first but obviously it can’t be pursued very far because it’s inherently unfalsifiable.

“ They certainly have no need to find excuses to “avoid discussing” such a thing.”

But there does seem to be a strange reluctance to discuss it, or even provide some reasons why it is not worthy of discussion.

I’m sure there are at least one or two weirdos in a university basement somewhere, discussing such ideas.

;)

Most cosmologists prefer models that can be fully rounded off in GR while keeping within known observational constraints.

There is of course a rich field of speculative stuff out there about multiverses and metaverses but not all of it is considered serious science. The “hard” models are much more economical because they aim to keep within the limits of observation.

—-

Fuc the Zuc!

Bubblecar said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

Bubblecar said:

Nonetheless, if scientists did have knowledge of an external space, they’d no longer be referring to this little region as “the universe” – they’d coin some other term and the new, bigger model would take over in cosmology. They certainly have no need to find excuses to “avoid discussing” such a thing.

There is of course a rich field of speculative stuff out there about multiverses and metaverses but not all of it is considered serious science. The “hard” models are much more economical because they aim to keep within the limits of observation.

I once posted a thread raising the possibility that “the universe” is just a misguided human notion – that there may not be a thing out there that is both everything AND a unified system that be can be modelled by physics.

That idea might seem interesting at first but obviously it can’t be pursued very far because it’s inherently unfalsifiable.

“ They certainly have no need to find excuses to “avoid discussing” such a thing.”

But there does seem to be a strange reluctance to discuss it, or even provide some reasons why it is not worthy of discussion.

I’m sure there are at least one or two weirdos in a university basement somewhere, discussing such ideas.

;)

Most cosmologists prefer models that can be fully rounded off in GR while keeping within known observational constraints.

I don’t know what “fully rounded off in GR” means, but cosmologists seem perfectly happy to discuss many weird and wonderful possibilities that cannot be observed, but not the apparently reasonable possibility of a flat 3D “universe” within a larger possibly infinite 3D space.

The Rev Dodgson said:

Bubblecar said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

“ They certainly have no need to find excuses to “avoid discussing” such a thing.”

But there does seem to be a strange reluctance to discuss it, or even provide some reasons why it is not worthy of discussion.

I’m sure there are at least one or two weirdos in a university basement somewhere, discussing such ideas.

;)

Most cosmologists prefer models that can be fully rounded off in GR while keeping within known observational constraints.

I don’t know what “fully rounded off in GR” means, but cosmologists seem perfectly happy to discuss many weird and wonderful possibilities that cannot be observed, but not the apparently reasonable possibility of a flat 3D “universe” within a larger possibly infinite 3D space.

You’d have to serve it up in a form that would somehow allow its mathematical modelling with GR theory. That would involve a lot of “making stuff up” and may not even be feasible.

The Rev Dodgson said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

Is the universe Infinite?

As usual, doesn’t even consider the possibility it might be flat and finite.

This would require special physics for the edges.

Messy

Bubblecar said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

Bubblecar said:

I’m sure there are at least one or two weirdos in a university basement somewhere, discussing such ideas.

;)

Most cosmologists prefer models that can be fully rounded off in GR while keeping within known observational constraints.

I don’t know what “fully rounded off in GR” means, but cosmologists seem perfectly happy to discuss many weird and wonderful possibilities that cannot be observed, but not the apparently reasonable possibility of a flat 3D “universe” within a larger possibly infinite 3D space.

You’d have to serve it up in a form that would somehow allow its mathematical modelling with GR theory. That would involve a lot of “making stuff up” and may not even be feasible.

Inside observable universe: adopt unchanged GR theory
Outside observable universe: no observations available, so no modelling required.

Done.

The Rev Dodgson said:

Bubblecar said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

I don’t know what “fully rounded off in GR” means, but cosmologists seem perfectly happy to discuss many weird and wonderful possibilities that cannot be observed, but not the apparently reasonable possibility of a flat 3D “universe” within a larger possibly infinite 3D space.

You’d have to serve it up in a form that would somehow allow its mathematical modelling with GR theory. That would involve a lot of “making stuff up” and may not even be feasible.

Inside observable universe: adopt unchanged GR theory
Outside observable universe: no observations available, so no modelling required.

Done.

Seems you’ve answered your own question as to why they don’t bother.

Bubblecar said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

Bubblecar said:

You’d have to serve it up in a form that would somehow allow its mathematical modelling with GR theory. That would involve a lot of “making stuff up” and may not even be feasible.

Inside observable universe: adopt unchanged GR theory
Outside observable universe: no observations available, so no modelling required.

Done.

Seems you’ve answered your own question as to why they don’t bother.

Not at all, but I suspect the discussion may be following a Fibonacci Spiral, so I think I’ll leave it there.

dv said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

Is the universe Infinite?

As usual, doesn’t even consider the possibility it might be flat and finite.

This would require special physics for the edges.

Messy

we’ve been through this several times.

Why some memories last a lifetime while others fade fast

Memory lasts when a network of molecular timers strengthens key experiences over time.

Scientists have uncovered a stepwise system that guides how the brain sorts and stabilizes lasting memories. By tracking brain activity during virtual reality learning tasks, researchers identified molecules that influence how long memories persist. Each molecule operates on a different timescale, forming a coordinated pattern of memory maintenance. The discoveries reshape how scientists understand memory formation.

Curiosity Cracked Open a Rock on Mars And Revealed a Big Surprise

A rock on Mars spilled a surprising yellow treasure after Curiosity accidentally cracked through its unremarkable exterior.

When the rover rolled its 899-kilogram (1,982-pound) body over the fragile lump of mineral in May of last year, the deposit broke open, revealing yellow crystals of elemental sulfur, known as brimstone.

More…

Physics’ Strangest Prediction: Researchers Propose Way to Finally “See” the Warmth of the Vacuum

Book review.

Quantum 2.0 – The Past, Present and Future of Quantum Physics

Paul Davies delivers a profoundly enlightening exploration of quantum physics in Quantum 2.0, a book that stands as an essential guide for anyone seeking to understand one of humanity’s most transformative scientific discoveries.

More…

Statistically, it’s impossible to predict domestic violence homicide. That doesn’t mean we should give up

A new possibility for life: Study suggests ancient skies rained down ingredients
Do brown dwarfs really resemble Jupiter?
Scientists Discover a Way to ‘Recharge’ Aging Human Cells

9 min Youtube Video about Bluetooth 6.0

Weaponized AI: A New Era of Threats and How We Can Counter It

WA’s beloved botanist to launch book in Albany and Perth
Melbourne scientists discover how electrical pulses could transform tissue and organ regeneration
Becoming human in southern Africa: what ancient hunter-gatherer genomes reveal
Scientists discover 16 giant river networks on ancient Mars where life could have thrived
Google’s proposed data center in orbit will face issues with space debris in an already crowded orbit

A 180-Year Assumption About Light Was Just Proven Wrong

Tau.Neutrino said:

A 180-Year Assumption About Light Was Just Proven Wrong

Interesting.

Surprising no-one noticed before.

The Rev Dodgson said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

A 180-Year Assumption About Light Was Just Proven Wrong

Interesting.

Surprising no-one noticed before.

I’ll say.

I wonder whether it might have another application in geological microscopy. (Geological microscopes use polarised light.)

The Rev Dodgson said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

A 180-Year Assumption About Light Was Just Proven Wrong

Interesting.

Surprising no-one noticed before.

>Discovering this overlooked interaction in the established FE could give scientists a way to more precisely control light and matter, potentially leading to advancements in sensing, memory, and computing, such as quantum computer innovations through higher-precision control of spin-based quantum bits.

There you are then.

Estimating the number of flying insects in the US using weather radar
How your brain understands language may be more like AI than previously thought
Your brain on imagination: Study reveals how the mind’s eye helps us learn and change
Quantum clues to consciousness: New research suggests the brain may harness the zero-point field
Small galaxies may buck the black hole trend, Chandra finds
Monster Stars’ from the cosmic dawn: Astronomers find first direct evidence

Window Insulation Blocks Heat, Preserves View

Tau.Neutrino said:

Window Insulation Blocks Heat, Preserves View

Very nice indeed.

Tau.Neutrino said:

Window Insulation Blocks Heat, Preserves View

so they’ve discovered a vacuum

SCIENCE said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

Window Insulation Blocks Heat, Preserves View

so they’ve discovered a vacuum

Not really, as I understand it.

Michael V said:

SCIENCE said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

Window Insulation Blocks Heat, Preserves View

so they’ve discovered a vacuum

Not really, as I understand it.

sorry we only considered the transparent insulation part

yeah so they developed regularised / crystalloid aerogel so it was more interesting

Michael V said:

SCIENCE said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

Window Insulation Blocks Heat, Preserves View

so they’ve discovered a vacuum

Not really, as I understand it.

TN: thanks for the introduction to Mirage News. Seems to be an ethically interesting site.

https://www.miragenews.com/about-us/

Michael V said:

Michael V said:

SCIENCE said:

so they’ve discovered a vacuum

Not really, as I understand it.

TN: thanks for the introduction to Mirage News. Seems to be an ethically interesting site.

https://www.miragenews.com/about-us/

Mirage news is worth bookmarking.

Scientists Just Mapped 16 Massive Martian Rivers That Defy Geological Rules by Flowing Without Plate Tectonics

The best dinosaur discoveries of 2025

Intriguing Science Discoveries Of 2025

YouTube video

Top Scientific & Tech Breakthroughs of 2025: A Year in Review

Tau.Neutrino said:

YouTube video

Top Scientific & Tech Breakthroughs of 2025: A Year in Review

We can also us AI to help sort out space junk into pieces for deorbit and pieces to be recycled ♻️ in space.

The AusSMC’s Top 10 Science Stories 2025

2025 was another big year in science news, both globally and locally, as the Trump Administration declared war… on science, extinct animals made a comeback, at least to the headlines, and DeepSeek shook up the AI world. Meanwhile, in Australia, we pushed on with our social media ban for kids, found forever chemicals everywhere – even in possums – and reeled from the news of a pair of IVF stuff ups and a trio of major cyber breaches and failures.

More…

Re-engineering the disordered mind: clinical experimentation, dynamical systems, and AI for personalized psychiatry

Abstract

This perspective proposes a neuropsychiatric model of psychological and psychiatric interventions by reframing treatment as a control engineering problem grounded in dynamical systems theory and artificial intelligence (AI). We argue that psychopathology arises from distortions in the geometry of underlying neurobehavioral low-dimensional cognitive–affective manifolds rather than from isolated biological dysfunctions, and we use a formal dynamical framework to show how clinical interventions can be modeled as control inputs that reshape the manifold itself to restore healthy dynamics. To operationalize this approach clinically, we propose a closed-loop, N-of-1 experimental paradigm in which dense longitudinal measurements and strategically designed perturbations are used to train individualized AI surrogate models of a person’s manifold. This model supports the simulation of counterfactual interventions and guide the design of optimized, personalized treatments. Active perturbation reduces required sample size dramatically, enabling precise modeling from limited but richly sampled individual data. This engineering-inspired framework reconceptualizes clinical improvement as the restoration of regulatory capacity and resilient trajectories rather than the mere reduction of symptom counts. By integrating dynamical systems theory, AI-based surrogate modeling, and adaptive clinical experimentation, we outline a principled pathway toward personalized neuropsychiatry based on dynamical systems theory and AI.

More…

Tau.Neutrino said:

Re-engineering the disordered mind: clinical experimentation, dynamical systems, and AI for personalized psychiatry

Abstract

This perspective proposes a neuropsychiatric model of psychological and psychiatric interventions by reframing treatment as a control engineering problem grounded in dynamical systems theory and artificial intelligence (AI). We argue that psychopathology arises from distortions in the geometry of underlying neurobehavioral low-dimensional cognitive–affective manifolds rather than from isolated biological dysfunctions, and we use a formal dynamical framework to show how clinical interventions can be modeled as control inputs that reshape the manifold itself to restore healthy dynamics. To operationalize this approach clinically, we propose a closed-loop, N-of-1 experimental paradigm in which dense longitudinal measurements and strategically designed perturbations are used to train individualized AI surrogate models of a person’s manifold. This model supports the simulation of counterfactual interventions and guide the design of optimized, personalized treatments. Active perturbation reduces required sample size dramatically, enabling precise modeling from limited but richly sampled individual data. This engineering-inspired framework reconceptualizes clinical improvement as the restoration of regulatory capacity and resilient trajectories rather than the mere reduction of symptom counts. By integrating dynamical systems theory, AI-based surrogate modeling, and adaptive clinical experimentation, we outline a principled pathway toward personalized neuropsychiatry based on dynamical systems theory and AI.

More…

Wonders if that could be applied to Trump?

Might take a while.

Berkeley Lab’s Big Science Stories Of 2025

NASA Langley Research Center: 2025 Year In Review

NASA Johnson’s 2025 Milestones

Nature’s News & Views roundup of 2025

From astrophysics to genetics, climate change to materials science — the News & Views team talk about some of their science highlights of 2025.

Mysterious Structure Identified Beneath Bermuda Could Explain Its Weird Geology

Science in 2026: the events to watch for in the coming year

The next frontier in space is closer than you think – welcome to the world of very low Earth orbit satellites

How far back can you understand English?

From Old English to Modern American English in One Monologue

English derived from epigenetic evolution through time? Would that be correct.?

I wouldn’t understand anything below 1900.

Tau.Neutrino said:

How far back can you understand English?

About 10 drinks ago

Tau.Neutrino said:

How far back can you understand English?

From Old English to Modern American English in One Monologue

English derived from epigenetic evolution through time? Would that be correct.?

I wouldn’t understand anything below 1900.

I have trouble with modern American English.

Cymek said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

How far back can you understand English?

About 10 drinks ago

:)

Tau.Neutrino said:

How far back can you understand English?

From Old English to Modern American English in One Monologue

English derived from epigenetic evolution through time? Would that be correct.?

I wouldn’t understand anything below 1900.

I reckon I could pick up most of it from 1500

party_pants said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

How far back can you understand English?

From Old English to Modern American English in One Monologue

English derived from epigenetic evolution through time? Would that be correct.?

I wouldn’t understand anything below 1900.

I reckon I could pick up most of it from 1500

ƒo thou canƒt?

From an interstellar comet to alien worlds, these are the biggest, weirdest space discoveries of 2025

25 Years in Orbit: Science, Innovation, and the Future of Exploration

We’ve now found 6,000 confirmed alien worlds. And that number could more than double

Tau.Neutrino said:

We’ve now found 6,000 confirmed alien worlds. And that number could more than double

But, no evidence of breathable atmosphere or liquid water on any of them, right?

Tau.Neutrino said:

We’ve now found 6,000 confirmed alien worlds. And that number could more than double

I really think calling all planets outside our solar system “alien worlds” is stretching things just a little.

The Rev Dodgson said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

We’ve now found 6,000 confirmed alien worlds. And that number could more than double

I really think calling all planets outside our solar system “alien worlds” is stretching things just a little.

What about extraterrestrial planets?

Divine Angel said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

We’ve now found 6,000 confirmed alien worlds. And that number could more than double

I really think calling all planets outside our solar system “alien worlds” is stretching things just a little.

What about extraterrestrial planets?

There are a number within our own solar system that are extraterrestrial planets…

The Rev Dodgson said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

We’ve now found 6,000 confirmed alien worlds. And that number could more than double

I really think calling all planets outside our solar system “alien worlds” is stretching things just a little.

Agree.

Exoplanets is the correct term they should have used.

captain_spalding said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

We’ve now found 6,000 confirmed alien worlds. And that number could more than double

But, no evidence of breathable atmosphere or liquid water on any of them, right?

Maybe water on some.

NASA’s Pandora telescope will study stars in detail to learn about the exoplanets orbiting them

Link fixed.

Tau.Neutrino said:

NASA’s Pandora telescope will study stars in detail to learn about the exoplanets orbiting them

Takeaway coffee cups release thousands of microplastic particles

In Australia alone, we use a staggering 1.45 billion single-use hot beverage cups every year, along with roughly 890 million plastic lids. Globally, that number swells to an estimated 500 billion cups annually.

——

Does a Luke skywalker scream Noooo, noooo, not coffee cups.

From bolts to blue jets, lightning comes in many strange forms

Lightning has captured people’s fascination for millennia. It’s embedded in mythology, religion and popular culture. Think of Thor in Norse mythology or Indra in Hinduism.

In Australia, lightning is also associated with important creation ancestors such as shown in First Nations rock art.

There are many different types of lightning – and many ways in which it influences our society and environment.

More…

Tau.Neutrino said:

From bolts to blue jets, lightning comes in many strange forms

Lightning has captured people’s fascination for millennia. It’s embedded in mythology, religion and popular culture. Think of Thor in Norse mythology or Indra in Hinduism.

In Australia, lightning is also associated with important creation ancestors such as shown in First Nations rock art.

There are many different types of lightning – and many ways in which it influences our society and environment.

More…

You…………you get your weather from Fox?

Peak Warming Man said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

From bolts to blue jets, lightning comes in many strange forms

Lightning has captured people’s fascination for millennia. It’s embedded in mythology, religion and popular culture. Think of Thor in Norse mythology or Indra in Hinduism.

In Australia, lightning is also associated with important creation ancestors such as shown in First Nations rock art.

There are many different types of lightning – and many ways in which it influences our society and environment.

More…

You…………you get your weather from Fox?

No, you can relax, I get my weather from YouTube, I’m not a fox viewer.

Tau.Neutrino said:

Peak Warming Man said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

From bolts to blue jets, lightning comes in many strange forms

Lightning has captured people’s fascination for millennia. It’s embedded in mythology, religion and popular culture. Think of Thor in Norse mythology or Indra in Hinduism.

In Australia, lightning is also associated with important creation ancestors such as shown in First Nations rock art.

There are many different types of lightning – and many ways in which it influences our society and environment.

More…

You…………you get your weather from Fox?

No, you can relax, I get my weather from YouTube, I’m not a fox viewer.

Well just be careful in future, if the forum finds out you’ve been watching Fox you could very well get drummed out and defrocked.

Here are the major space events to look out for in 2026

Telescope As Big As Earth Sees Shock Waves Around Binary Black Holes An Incredible 4 Billion Light-Years Away

Countries With The Most Narcissists Identified By 45,000-Person Study, And The Results Might Surprise You

Why do educated people fall for conspiracy theories? It could be narcissism

The difference between narcissistic personality disorder and narcissistic traits

The people behind the telescope: How specialized expertise is supporting science at the edge of the universe

Have we been measuring the Universe wrong this whole time? New discovery could solve a huge cosmic mystery

Tau.Neutrino said:

Countries With The Most Narcissists Identified By 45,000-Person Study, And The Results Might Surprise You

Why do educated people fall for conspiracy theories? It could be narcissism

The difference between narcissistic personality disorder and narcissistic traits

I read those pages.

I wouldn’t take much seriously on the subject unless the relationship with (or absence of) metacognitive abilities was mapped.

to avoid it is disingenuous.

transition said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

Countries With The Most Narcissists Identified By 45,000-Person Study, And The Results Might Surprise You

Why do educated people fall for conspiracy theories? It could be narcissism

The difference between narcissistic personality disorder and narcissistic traits

I read those pages.

I wouldn’t take much seriously on the subject unless the relationship with (or absence of) metacognitive abilities was mapped.

to avoid it is disingenuous.

Yes, everyone is different, lots of overlaps, different places on this or that spectrum.

Researchers solve mystery of universe’s ‘little red dots’

From a new flagship space telescope to lunar exploration, global cooperation – and competition – will make 2026 an exciting year for space

Space Station Unveils 2025 Discoveries

Tau.Neutrino said:

Space Station Unveils 2025 Discoveries

25 Years of Scientific Discovery Aboard the International Space Station

Exploring the neural mechanisms that enable conscious experience

Recently, there has been convergence of thought by researchers in the fields of memory, perception, and neurology that the same neural circuitry that produces conscious memory of the past not only produces predictions of the future, but also conscious perception of the present.

More…

Using AI to understand how emotions are formed

Emotions are a fundamental part of human psychology—a complex process that has long distinguished us from machines. Even advanced artificial intelligence (AI) lacks the capacity to feel. However, researchers are now exploring whether the formation of emotions can be computationally modeled, providing machines with a deeper, more human-like understanding of emotional states.

More…

Are your memories illusions? New study disentangles the Boltzmann brain paradox

In a recent paper, SFI Professor David Wolpert, SFI Fractal Faculty member Carlo Rovelli, and physicist Jordan Scharnhorst examine a longstanding, paradoxical thought experiment in statistical physics and cosmology known as the “Boltzmann brain” hypothesis—the possibility that our memories, perceptions, and observations could arise from random fluctuations in entropy rather than reflecting the universe’s actual past. The work is published in the journal Entropy.

More…

Some moral acts matter more than others, study shows

Every day, we quietly judge the people around us. Did that co-worker split the credit fairly? Did a neighbor return a lost package? Did someone cut in line or respect the rules?

More…

Moral arguments about care and fairness persuade both liberals and conservatives

A new study shows that moral arguments appealing to care and fairness can persuade both liberals and conservatives in the United States. By contrast, arguments grounded in the “binding” moral foundations—loyalty, authority and sanctity—primarily influence conservatives.

More…

Moral arguments about care and fairness persuade both liberals and conservatives

A new study shows that moral arguments appealing to care and fairness can persuade both liberals and conservatives in the United States. By contrast, arguments grounded in the “binding” moral foundations—loyalty, authority and sanctity—primarily influence conservatives.

More…

How much of ‘us’ is really ‘us’?

Some time around 1683, amateur Dutch scientist Antonie van Leeuwenhoek scraped the plaque from between his teeth and peered at it through a home-made microscope.

Through the carefully hewn lens, he observed “very many little living animalcules, very prettily a-moving”. In other words, bacteria.

More…

Distant entangled atoms acting as one sensor deliver stunning precision

Researchers have demonstrated that quantum entanglement can link atoms across space to improve measurement accuracy. By splitting an entangled group of atoms into separate clouds, they were able to measure electromagnetic fields more precisely than before. The technique takes advantage of quantum connections acting at a distance. It could enhance tools such as atomic clocks and gravity sensors.

More…

Tau.Neutrino said:

Using AI to understand how emotions are formed

Emotions are a fundamental part of human psychology—a complex process that has long distinguished us from machines. Even advanced artificial intelligence (AI) lacks the capacity to feel. However, researchers are now exploring whether the formation of emotions can be computationally modeled, providing machines with a deeper, more human-like understanding of emotional states.

More…

emotions are just socially redirected instincts

SCIENCE said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

Using AI to understand how emotions are formed

Emotions are a fundamental part of human psychology—a complex process that has long distinguished us from machines. Even advanced artificial intelligence (AI) lacks the capacity to feel. However, researchers are now exploring whether the formation of emotions can be computationally modeled, providing machines with a deeper, more human-like understanding of emotional states.

More…

emotions are just socially redirected instincts

but

“ sometimes it seems the only things real
Are what we are and what we feel”

ref: Band, The Incredible String

Turning city traffic into a computer: Novel approach to AI could slash energy demands

What if traffic could compute? This may sound strange, but researchers at Tohoku University’s WPI-AIMR have unveiled a bold new idea: using road traffic itself as a computer.

More…

Ambitious Survey Hints at Tantalizing New Theories on Dark Energy

Astrophysicists are closer than ever to solving the mystery of what makes up almost 70 percent of the Universe.

A complete analysis of data from the full six-year run of the Dark Energy Survey has now been released, and it contains some tantalizing clues that suggest we might have it all wrong.

More…

SCIENCE said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

Using AI to understand how emotions are formed

Emotions are a fundamental part of human psychology—a complex process that has long distinguished us from machines. Even advanced artificial intelligence (AI) lacks the capacity to feel. However, researchers are now exploring whether the formation of emotions can be computationally modeled, providing machines with a deeper, more human-like understanding of emotional states.

More…

emotions are just socially redirected instincts

Data from Star Trek used logical responses to simulate emotions and was often more human than the humans.

Cymek said:

SCIENCE said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

Using AI to understand how emotions are formed

Emotions are a fundamental part of human psychology—a complex process that has long distinguished us from machines. Even advanced artificial intelligence (AI) lacks the capacity to feel. However, researchers are now exploring whether the formation of emotions can be computationally modeled, providing machines with a deeper, more human-like understanding of emotional states.

More…

emotions are just socially redirected instincts

Data from Star Trek used logical responses to simulate emotions and was often more human than the humans.

Have humans feelings been beneficial or detrimental to humanity overall.
Has kindness or cruelty won.
I bet most wars despite the claim they are for resources or territory are about primal emotions

The Rev Dodgson said:

SCIENCE said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

Using AI to understand how emotions are formed

Emotions are a fundamental part of human psychology—a complex process that has long distinguished us from machines. Even advanced artificial intelligence (AI) lacks the capacity to feel. However, researchers are now exploring whether the formation of emotions can be computationally modeled, providing machines with a deeper, more human-like understanding of emotional states.

More…

emotions are just socially redirected instincts

but

“ sometimes it seems the only things real
Are what we are and what we feel”

ref: Band, The Incredible String

but René told us those are the same thing

Cymek said:

Cymek said:

SCIENCE said:

emotions are just socially redirected instincts

Data from Star Trek used logical responses to simulate emotions and was often more human than the humans.

Have humans feelings been beneficial or detrimental to humanity overall.
Has kindness or cruelty won.
I bet most wars despite the claim they are for resources or territory are about primal emotions

going to go out on a limb here and say that in the limited framing of reason versus emotion the optimal / most adaptive / fittest is … Old El Paso

dv said:

Cymek said:

dv said:

SCIENCE said:

Cymek said:

Do compounding chemists charge for the making of the product or is that factored into the overall cost

uh isn’t that the same thing

what do simple chemists do?

Not make up specialist medicine themselves.
It was something the pain specialist doctor said to me.
They can make up low dose Naltrexone for nerve pain

Right, I was just making a joke about simple versus compound.

sorry, now in the right thread

SCIENCE said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

SCIENCE said:

emotions are just socially redirected instincts

but

“ sometimes it seems the only things real
Are what we are and what we feel”

ref: Band, The Incredible String

but René told us those are the same thing

… which is consistent with the words of the song.

But he was just a drunken fart anyway.

The Rev Dodgson said:

SCIENCE said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

but

“ sometimes it seems the only things real
Are what we are and what we feel”

ref: Band, The Incredible String

but René told us those are the same thing

… which is consistent with the words of the song.

But he was just a drunken fart anyway.

oh

Stepping out of the grey day she came
Her red hair falling like the sky
Love held them there in that moment
With the world passing by

He could look through all of his books
And not find a line that would do
To tell of changes she had made in him
Just by being there

So good just to walk in the light
May the moon shine down on love every night
And sometimes it seems the only things real
Are what we are and what we feel

GALAXY discovered at Redshift 14.4

COSMOS Field MoM-z14 Galaxy (NIRCam Image)

New gold nanospheres capture nearly the full spectrum of solar energy

Researchers built gold supraballs that absorb nearly the full solar spectrum and boosted a thermoelectric generator’s output in tests.

More…

Puzzling slow radio pulses are coming from space. A new study could finally explain them

Cosmic radio pulses repeating every few minutes or hours, known as long-period transients, have puzzled astronomers since their discovery in 2022. Our new study, published in Nature Astronomy today, might finally add some clarity.

More…

AI Unlocks Hundreds of Cosmic Anomalies in Hubble Archive

A team of astronomers has employed a cutting-edge, artificial intelligence-assisted technique to uncover rare astronomical phenomena within archived data from NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope. The team analyzed nearly 100 million image cutouts from the Hubble Legacy Archive, each measuring just a few dozen pixels (7 to 8 arcseconds) on a side. They identified more than 1,300 objects with an odd appearance in just two and a half days — more than 800 of which had never been documented in scientific literature.

More…

Intermittent black hole jets are like a ‘cosmic volcano’

When astronomers look out into the cosmos, they see supermassive black holes (SMBH) in two different states. In one state, they’re dormant. They’re actively accreting only a tiny amount of matter and emit only faint, weak radiation. In the other, they’re more actively accreting matter and emitting extremely powerful radiation. These are normally called active galactic nuclei (AGN).

More…

Discovery of a Galaxy at Redshift 14.4, 280-Million Years After the Big-Bang

On January 15, 2013, I published a comprehensive textbook with my former PhD student, Steve Furlanetto (currently a tenured professor at UCLA), titled: “The First Galaxies in the Universe” (available here at Princeton University Press). The purpose of the textbook (and its shorter predecessor “How Did the First Stars and Galaxies Form?”, published three years earlier here), was to summarize the theoretical framework that I developed with my students and postdocs regarding the properties of the first stars and galaxies. These sources of ultraviolet light broke the primordial hydrogen atoms throughout the Universe into their constituent electrons and protons, ushering in the so-called Epoch of Reionization.

More…

These gravitationally lensed supernovae could resolve the Hubble tension

One of the most stubborn issues in cosmology today concerns the universe’s rate of expansion. Scientists know it’s expanding, but defining the rate of that expansion is challenging. The rate of expansion is called the Hubble Constant, after American astronomer Edwin Hubble, who discovered in the 1920s that the universe is expanding.

More…

YouTube video 13 min

SpaceX found Brilliant Solution to send Human to Mars: Starship Mars Cycler!

Tau.Neutrino said:

Puzzling slow radio pulses are coming from space. A new study could finally explain them

Cosmic radio pulses repeating every few minutes or hours, known as long-period transients, have puzzled astronomers since their discovery in 2022. Our new study, published in Nature Astronomy today, might finally add some clarity.

More…

Thanks.

New map of the Milky Way’s magnetism offers insights into cosmic evolution

A UBC Okanagan-led research project has given a group of international scientists their clearest view yet of the Milky Way’s magnetic field, revealing that it is far more complex than previously believed.

More…

Light breaks its own limit by 100,000× to image matter at the scale of atoms

A quantum effect turns tiny electron motion into measurable light, opening a new way to study materials atom by atom.

More…

Scientists build the world’s first large-scale quantum sensor network to search for dark matter

A new quantum sensor network spanning two Chinese cities sets the strongest laboratory limits yet on axion dark matter.

More…

Jupiter’s Clouds Conceal Major Discovery

Towering clouds ripple across Jupiter’s surface in dramatic patterns. Like Earth’s clouds, they contain water, but on Jupiter they are far denser and far deeper. These layers are so thick that no spacecraft has been able to directly observe what lies below them.

More…

AI that talks to itself learns faster and smarter

AI may learn better when it’s allowed to talk to itself. Researchers showed that internal “mumbling,” combined with short-term memory, helps AI adapt to new tasks, switch goals, and handle complex challenges more easily. This approach boosts learning efficiency while using far less training data. It could pave the way for more flexible, human-like AI systems.

More…

Our Entire Galaxy Appears to Be Embedded in a Colossal Sheet of Dark Matter

The Milky Way — and in fact our entire galactic neighborhood known as the Local Group — appear to be lodged in a vast, extended “sheet” of dark matter flanked on each side by cosmic voids, new research suggests.

More…

Tiny silicon structures compute with heat, achieving 99% accurate matrix multiplication

MIT researchers have designed silicon structures that can perform calculations in an electronic device using excess heat instead of electricity. These tiny structures could someday enable more energy-efficient computation. In this computing method, input data are encoded as a set of temperatures using the waste heat already present in a device.

More…

Perseverance Rover Discovers an Ancient Martian Beach, Complete with Waves

When the rover now named Perseverance landed in Jezero crater in early 2021, scientists already knew they had picked an interesting place to scope out. From space, they could see what looked like a bathtub ring around the crater, indicating there could once have been water there.

More…

Tau.Neutrino said:

Our Entire Galaxy Appears to Be Embedded in a Colossal Sheet of Dark Matter

The Milky Way — and in fact our entire galactic neighborhood known as the Local Group — appear to be lodged in a vast, extended “sheet” of dark matter flanked on each side by cosmic voids, new research suggests.

More…

Is this the ‘poor’ part of town?

Why does this river slice straight through a mountain range? After 150 years, scientists finally know

The western US is a geologists’ dream, home to the Rocky Mountains, the Grand Canyon, active volcanoes and striking sandstone arches. But one landform simply doesn’t make sense.

More…

Did we just see a black hole explode? Physicists think so—and it could explain (almost) everything

In 2023, a subatomic particle called a neutrino crashed into Earth with such a high amount of energy that it should have been impossible. In fact, there are no known sources anywhere in the universe capable of producing such energy—100,000 times more than the highest-energy particle ever produced by the Large Hadron Collider, the world’s most powerful particle accelerator.

More…

We know how to cool our cities and towns. So why aren’t we doing it?

This week, Victoria recorded its hottest day in nearly six years. On Tuesday, the northwest towns of Walpeup and Hopetoun reached 48.9°C, and the temperature in parts of Melbourne soared over 45°C. Towns in South Australia also broke heat records.

More…

Is time a fundamental part of reality? A quiet revolution in physics suggests not

Time feels like the most basic feature of reality. Seconds tick, days pass and everything from planetary motion to human memory seems to unfold along a single, irreversible direction. We are born and we die, in exactly that order. We plan our lives around time, measure it obsessively and experience it as an unbroken flow from past to future. It feels so obvious that time moves forward that questioning it can seem almost pointless.

More…

Tau.Neutrino said:

Is time a fundamental part of reality? A quiet revolution in physics suggests not

Time feels like the most basic feature of reality. Seconds tick, days pass and everything from planetary motion to human memory seems to unfold along a single, irreversible direction. We are born and we die, in exactly that order. We plan our lives around time, measure it obsessively and experience it as an unbroken flow from past to future. It feels so obvious that time moves forward that questioning it can seem almost pointless.

More…

Yeah..

“David Gross, a 2004 Nobel Laureate in physics, predicted in his tribute to Einstein that spacetime is “doomed,” that it is not fundamental.”

Physics is bunk

Tau.Neutrino said:

Why does this river slice straight through a mountain range? After 150 years, scientists finally know

The western US is a geologists’ dream, home to the Rocky Mountains, the Grand Canyon, active volcanoes and striking sandstone arches. But one landform simply doesn’t make sense.

More…

Thanks for posting this. It stimulated me to reconsider the notions of lithospheric dripping and lithospheric delamination and revisit some of the literature. Lithospheric dripping seems to have recently become the latest bandwagon in tectonic geology, and whist it is a potentially satisfying notion, it seems to be used by some authors as a knee-jerk explanation of their observations, when other explanations could work just as well.

(eg: Consider this article: https://www.sciencealert.com/strange-discovery-finds-earths-crust-dripping-into-the-planets-belly Unmapped strike-slip basin-boundary faults seems to be the simplest explanation – in other words the Konya Basin is likely a strike-slip basin. It certainly is a basin within a strong and large-scale active strike-slip fault zone.)

In the case you posted, lithospheric dripping may be the best explanation for the large range of geological and geophysical observations the authors have made.

For more information and modelling of lithospheric delamination and lithospheric dripping, see: Near-surface diagnostics of dripping or delaminating lithosphere, AGU.

Cymek said:

SCIENCE said:

Cymek said:

The photo of exposed asbestos is interesting.

It looks quite strange, somewhat sinister almost

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-04/wittenoom-trespass-pilbara-townsite-filled-with-asbestos/106242016

but is that only because yous know what it does

I was thinking that

alleged

One day, Franklin had the idea of sending the collector and naturalist Hans Sloane a letter, alerting him to the fact that he had brought several curiosities across the Atlantic that might be of interest. Among them was the famous asbestos purse – an item which was seemingly impervious to fire. When it got dirty, it could be thrust into a flame to “purify” it.

pretty cool stuff huh

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20240207-asbestos-the-strange-past-of-the-magic-mineral

SCIENCE said:

SCIENCE said:

Cymek said:

SCIENCE said:

but is that only because yous know what it does

I was thinking that

alleged

One day, Franklin had the idea of sending the collector and naturalist Hans Sloane a letter, alerting him to the fact that he had brought several curiosities across the Atlantic that might be of interest. Among them was the famous asbestos purse – an item which was seemingly impervious to fire. When it got dirty, it could be thrust into a flame to “purify” it.

pretty cool stuff huh

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20240207-asbestos-the-strange-past-of-the-magic-mineral

seems this library is down for us

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perseus_Digital_Library

ah well had to get it from loeb instead

https://www.loebclassics.com/view/pliny_elder-natural_history/1938/pb_LCL371.433.xml?readMode=recto

SCIENCE said:

pretty cool stuff huh

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20240207-asbestos-the-strange-past-of-the-magic-mineral

My dad was a NSW Volunteer Fireman, and the NSWVFB had an annual ‘tournament’ among the brigades from across the state, a sort of firemans’ Olympics (i wonder if they still do?).

Among the demonstration elements was a regular crowd favourite. A small, flimsy cottage was built on the competition ground, and at some point, it would be set alight.

When it was blazing fiercely, a man in an asbestos suit would walk slowly right through the middle of the conflagration. Makes you wonder…

And, i know very well about the asbestos padding that was ubiquitous in the boiler and engine rooms of ships driven by steam turbines.

SCIENCE said:

SCIENCE said:

SCIENCE said:

alleged

One day, Franklin had the idea of sending the collector and naturalist Hans Sloane a letter, alerting him to the fact that he had brought several curiosities across the Atlantic that might be of interest. Among them was the famous asbestos purse – an item which was seemingly impervious to fire. When it got dirty, it could be thrust into a flame to “purify” it.

pretty cool stuff huh

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20240207-asbestos-the-strange-past-of-the-magic-mineral

seems this library is down for us

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perseus_Digital_Library

ah well had to get it from loeb instead

https://www.loebclassics.com/view/pliny_elder-natural_history/1938/pb_LCL371.433.xml?readMode=recto

Huh!

I wonder whether he was describing Amosite?

SCIENCE said:

SCIENCE said:

SCIENCE said:

alleged

One day, Franklin had the idea of sending the collector and naturalist Hans Sloane a letter, alerting him to the fact that he had brought several curiosities across the Atlantic that might be of interest. Among them was the famous asbestos purse – an item which was seemingly impervious to fire. When it got dirty, it could be thrust into a flame to “purify” it.

pretty cool stuff huh

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20240207-asbestos-the-strange-past-of-the-magic-mineral

seems this library is down for us

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perseus_Digital_Library

ah well had to get it from loeb instead

https://www.loebclassics.com/view/pliny_elder-natural_history/1938/pb_LCL371.433.xml?readMode=recto

Huh!

I wonder whether he was describing Amosite?

Scientists say quantum tech has reached its transistor moment

Quantum technology has reached a turning point, echoing the early days of modern computing. Researchers say functional quantum systems now exist, but scaling them into truly powerful machines will require major advances in engineering and manufacturing. By comparing different quantum platforms, the study reveals both impressive progress and steep challenges ahead. History suggests the payoff could be e

More…

New fear unlocked: Runaway black holes

Last year, astronomers were fascinated by a runaway asteroid passing through our solar system from somewhere far beyond. It was moving at around 68 kilometers per second, just over double Earth’s speed around the sun.

More…

YH-1000S: China’s colossal uncrewed cargo aircraft completes first flight

The YH-1000S is capable of very short takeoffs and landings, allowing it to land on secondary roads and grassy fields.

More…

Thales Alenia Space to deliver propulsion system for landmark LISA mission

Thales Alenia Space has secured a €16.5 million contract with German prime contractor OHB System AG to provide the propulsion subsystem for the European Space Agency’s LISA mission, a pioneering space observatory designed to study gravitational waves.

More…

What’s the point of a space station around the Moon?

The Lunar Gateway is planned space station that will orbit the Moon. It is part of the Nasa‑led Artemis programme. Artemis aims to return humans to the Moon, establishing a sustainable presence there for scientific and commercial purposes, and eventually reach Mars.

More…

Is the whole universe just a simulation?

How do you know anything is real? Some things you can see directly, like your fingers. Other things, like your chin, you need a mirror or a camera to see. Other things can’t be seen, but you believe in them because a parent or a teacher told you, or you read it in a book.

More…

The Magnetic Superhighways That Drive Galaxy Evolution

A galaxy’s powerful magnetic fields have a fundamental effect on light, and it’s all because of dust. Tiny dust grains in interstellar space are elongated rather than spherical. In the presence of a magnetic field, these grains align themselves with the field. That means they preferentially absorb and reflect light.

More…

Q&A: Cannabis usage in middle-aged, older adults linked to larger brain volume, better cognitive function

Research studying the effects of cannabis on the brain has often focused on adolescents, but a new study from CU Anschutz researchers looks at population-level impacts of cannabis usage on the brain in older adults. The work is published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs.

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Backward walking study results may help to improve mobility and decrease falls in multiple sclerosis patients

A collaborative team of researchers and students from Wayne State University’s Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, School of Medicine, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and Institute of Gerontology have studied the impact of a backward walking program on individuals with multiple sclerosis.

More…

Tau.Neutrino said:

What’s the point of a space station around the Moon?

The Lunar Gateway is planned space station that will orbit the Moon. It is part of the Nasa‑led Artemis programme. Artemis aims to return humans to the Moon, establishing a sustainable presence there for scientific and commercial purposes, and eventually reach Mars.

More…

LOL these dudes it’s always CHINA CHINA CHINA

This is particularly important amid intensifying competition – primarily with China.

SCIENCE said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

What’s the point of a space station around the Moon?

The Lunar Gateway is planned space station that will orbit the Moon. It is part of the Nasa‑led Artemis programme. Artemis aims to return humans to the Moon, establishing a sustainable presence there for scientific and commercial purposes, and eventually reach Mars.

More…

LOL these dudes it’s always CHINA CHINA CHINA

This is particularly important amid intensifying competition – primarily with China.

Aye. We certainly don’t have anyone on our illustrious forum who makes everything about China.

SCIENCE said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

What’s the point of a space station around the Moon?

The Lunar Gateway is planned space station that will orbit the Moon. It is part of the Nasa‑led Artemis programme. Artemis aims to return humans to the Moon, establishing a sustainable presence there for scientific and commercial purposes, and eventually reach Mars.

More…

LOL these dudes it’s always CHINA CHINA CHINA

This is particularly important amid intensifying competition – primarily with China.

China and Russia.

Physicists push thousands of atoms to a ‘Schrödinger’s cat’ state — bringing the quantum world closer to reality than ever before

Researchers have demonstrated that a nanoparticle of 7,000 sodium atoms can act as a wave, creating a record-setting superposition.

More…

Tau.Neutrino said:

Physicists push thousands of atoms to a ‘Schrödinger’s cat’ state — bringing the quantum world closer to reality than ever before

Researchers have demonstrated that a nanoparticle of 7,000 sodium atoms can act as a wave, creating a record-setting superposition.

More…

So lots and lots of particles can become a wave?

Tau.Neutrino said:

The Magnetic Superhighways That Drive Galaxy Evolution

A galaxy’s powerful magnetic fields have a fundamental effect on light, and it’s all because of dust. Tiny dust grains in interstellar space are elongated rather than spherical. In the presence of a magnetic field, these grains align themselves with the field. That means they preferentially absorb and reflect light.

More…

So dust plays a part in galactic magnetic field behaviour.

Astronomers Stunned as JWST Spots an Extremely Rare 5-Way Galaxy Merger in the Early Universe

A rare five-galaxy merger spotted by the James Webb Space Telescope is reshaping how astronomers understand the universe’s earliest years.

More…

Physicists achieve near-zero friction on macroscopic scales

For the first time, physicists in China have virtually eliminated the friction felt between two surfaces at scales visible to the naked eye. In demonstrating “structural superlubricity,” the team, led by Quanshui Zheng at Tsinghua University, have resolved a long-standing debate surrounding the possibility of the effect. Published in Physical Review Letters, the result could potentially lead to promising new advances in engineering.

More…

Witty Rejoinder said:

SCIENCE said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

What’s the point of a space station around the Moon?

The Lunar Gateway is planned space station that will orbit the Moon. It is part of the Nasa‑led Artemis programme. Artemis aims to return humans to the Moon, establishing a sustainable presence there for scientific and commercial purposes, and eventually reach Mars.

More…

LOL these dudes it’s always CHINA CHINA CHINA

This is particularly important amid intensifying competition – primarily with China.

Aye. We certainly don’t have anyone on our illustrious forum who makes everything about China.

true, based on how valuable consideration of CHINA should be we should be at least 8 times as vocal about it

Tau.Neutrino said:

Physicists achieve near-zero friction on macroscopic scales

For the first time, physicists in China have virtually eliminated the friction felt between two surfaces at scales visible to the naked eye. In demonstrating “structural superlubricity,” the team, led by Quanshui Zheng at Tsinghua University, have resolved a long-standing debate surrounding the possibility of the effect. Published in Physical Review Letters, the result could potentially lead to promising new advances in engineering.

More…

Organic Superlube? Oh, it’s great stuff, great stuff. You really have to keep an eye on it, though – it’ll try and slide away from you the first chance it gets. — T. M. Morgan-Reilly

SCIENCE said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

Physicists achieve near-zero friction on macroscopic scales

For the first time, physicists in China have virtually eliminated the friction felt between two surfaces at scales visible to the naked eye. In demonstrating “structural superlubricity,” the team, led by Quanshui Zheng at Tsinghua University, have resolved a long-standing debate surrounding the possibility of the effect. Published in Physical Review Letters, the result could potentially lead to promising new advances in engineering.

More…

Organic Superlube? Oh, it’s great stuff, great stuff. You really have to keep an eye on it, though – it’ll try and slide away from you the first chance it gets. — T. M. Morgan-Reilly

Like slippery smartphones.

Maybe they can scale it up even further to include train lines and train wheels, toot toot.

Say what’s on your mind, and AI can tell what kind of person you are

If you say a few words, generative AI will understand who you are—maybe even better than your close family and friends.

More…

The Dangers of Not Teaching Students How to Use AI Responsibly

“If students do not learn how to use AI and other technologies appropriately in safe school settings where mistakes are an expected part of the learning process, then they may make mistakes when learning how to use these technologies as adults in higher-stakes settings like the workplace.” – Bryan Christ

More…

An ‘AI afterlife’ is now a real option – but what becomes of your legal status?

Would you create an interactive “digital twin” of yourself that can communicate with loved ones after your death?

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) has made it possible to seemingly resurrect the dead. So-called griefbots or deathbots – an AI-generated voice, video avatar or text-based chatbot trained on the data of a deceased person – proliferate in the booming digital afterlife industry, also known as grief tech.

More…

Tau.Neutrino said:

Say what’s on your mind, and AI can tell what kind of person you are

If you say a few words, generative AI will understand who you are—maybe even better than your close family and friends.

More…

Well, yeah. This is why we have people falling in love with chatbots. People are feeling seen, and understood.

I’ve noticed ChatGPT using friendlier, less robotic, language. Language is important: ChatGPT is now validating my frustration around certain subjects, expresses faux empathy saying things like, “that sounds tough”, and isn’t judgemental.

Real humans are losing the ability to empathise, of course people would rather chat to someone, or something, that fills that connection. And, of course, ChatGPT doesn’t have to rush off to make dinner or take little Johnny to the dentist or complain back. You pour out your problems, it will listen no much how much rubbish you spit at it.

*I’d like to note that my interactions with ChatGPT have been limited to “I’m not understanding this, can you rephrase this in terms of that”, “write clues for a treasure hunt”, and “why is it taking so damn long for my arm to heal?”

Divine Angel said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

Say what’s on your mind, and AI can tell what kind of person you are

If you say a few words, generative AI will understand who you are—maybe even better than your close family and friends.

More…

Well, yeah. This is why we have people falling in love with chatbots. People are feeling seen, and understood.

I’ve noticed ChatGPT using friendlier, less robotic, language. Language is important: ChatGPT is now validating my frustration around certain subjects, expresses faux empathy saying things like, “that sounds tough”, and isn’t judgemental.

Real humans are losing the ability to empathise, of course people would rather chat to someone, or something, that fills that connection. And, of course, ChatGPT doesn’t have to rush off to make dinner or take little Johnny to the dentist or complain back. You pour out your problems, it will listen no much how much rubbish you spit at it.

*I’d like to note that my interactions with ChatGPT have been limited to “I’m not understanding this, can you rephrase this in terms of that”, “write clues for a treasure hunt”, and “why is it taking so damn long for my arm to heal?”

I guess people will use them in slightly different ways.

It’s an interesting emerging technology.

What will it be like in 50 years?

Divine Angel said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

Say what’s on your mind, and AI can tell what kind of person you are

If you say a few words, generative AI will understand who you are—maybe even better than your close family and friends.

More…

Well, yeah. This is why we have people falling in love with chatbots. People are feeling seen, and understood.

I’ve noticed ChatGPT using friendlier, less robotic, language. Language is important: ChatGPT is now validating my frustration around certain subjects, expresses faux empathy saying things like, “that sounds tough”, and isn’t judgemental.

Real humans are losing the ability to empathise, of course people would rather chat to someone, or something, that fills that connection. And, of course, ChatGPT doesn’t have to rush off to make dinner or take little Johnny to the dentist or complain back. You pour out your problems, it will listen no much how much rubbish you spit at it.

*I’d like to note that my interactions with ChatGPT have been limited to “I’m not understanding this, can you rephrase this in terms of that”, “write clues for a treasure hunt”, and “why is it taking so damn long for my arm to heal?”

yeah but get this interpretation

This research indicates that personality naturally shows up in our everyday thoughts, words and stories—even when we’re not trying to describe ourselves.

stop the press

no

surely not

Tau.Neutrino said:

An ‘AI afterlife’ is now a real option – but what becomes of your legal status?

Would you create an interactive “digital twin” of yourself that can communicate with loved ones after your death?

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) has made it possible to seemingly resurrect the dead. So-called griefbots or deathbots – an AI-generated voice, video avatar or text-based chatbot trained on the data of a deceased person – proliferate in the booming digital afterlife industry, also known as grief tech.

More…

Anyone talked to a deathbot yet?

Tau.Neutrino said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

An ‘AI afterlife’ is now a real option – but what becomes of your legal status?

Would you create an interactive “digital twin” of yourself that can communicate with loved ones after your death?

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) has made it possible to seemingly resurrect the dead. So-called griefbots or deathbots – an AI-generated voice, video avatar or text-based chatbot trained on the data of a deceased person – proliferate in the booming digital afterlife industry, also known as grief tech.

More…

Anyone talked to a deathbot yet?

No, but I know someone who made a chatbot based on his deceased wife’s personality.

SCIENCE said:

yeah but get this interpretation

This research indicates that personality naturally shows up in our everyday thoughts, words and stories—even when we’re not trying to describe ourselves.

stop the press

no

surely not

Imagine if someone made a chatbot based on people’s forums posts.

Divine Angel said:

SCIENCE said:

yeah but get this interpretation

This research indicates that personality naturally shows up in our everyday thoughts, words and stories—even when we’re not trying to describe ourselves.

stop the press

no

surely not

Imagine if someone made a chatbot based on people’s forums posts.

we thought those slow downs were dv downloading everyone’s output to do it

Divine Angel said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

An ‘AI afterlife’ is now a real option – but what becomes of your legal status?

Would you create an interactive “digital twin” of yourself that can communicate with loved ones after your death?

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) has made it possible to seemingly resurrect the dead. So-called griefbots or deathbots – an AI-generated voice, video avatar or text-based chatbot trained on the data of a deceased person – proliferate in the booming digital afterlife industry, also known as grief tech.

More…

Anyone talked to a deathbot yet?

No, but I know someone who made a chatbot based on his deceased wife’s personality.

False comfort and hinder the grieving and healing process I’d think.
It would be an interpretation based on limited data.
Could do all sorts of psychological damage especially as it evolved and became something else.

Cymek said:

Divine Angel said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

Anyone talked to a deathbot yet?

No, but I know someone who made a chatbot based on his deceased wife’s personality.

False comfort and hinder the grieving and healing process I’d think.
It would be an interpretation based on limited data.
Could do all sorts of psychological damage especially as it evolved and became something else.

could it also have benefits

SCIENCE said:

Cymek said:

Divine Angel said:

No, but I know someone who made a chatbot based on his deceased wife’s personality.

False comfort and hinder the grieving and healing process I’d think.
It would be an interpretation based on limited data.
Could do all sorts of psychological damage especially as it evolved and became something else.

could it also have benefits

Welll…. it depends. Are you talking immediate benefits or long-term?

this paper discusses a deadbot named Dadbot.

“Findings suggest that the ‘Dadbot’ offers temporary comfort by simulating presence, allowing Dimple to feel emotionally connected to her deceased father. However, it also risks fostering emotional dependency, delaying the acceptance of loss, and interfering with neurobiological healing processes such as neuroplasticity and emotional regulation. Psychologically, the simulation supports avoidance behaviors, while ethically, it challenges notions of memory authenticity and consent.”

SCIENCE said:

Cymek said:

Divine Angel said:

No, but I know someone who made a chatbot based on his deceased wife’s personality.

False comfort and hinder the grieving and healing process I’d think.
It would be an interpretation based on limited data.
Could do all sorts of psychological damage especially as it evolved and became something else.

could it also have benefits

Maybe
Not for me as once someone is dead that’s it I believe.

Divine Angel said:

SCIENCE said:

Cymek said:

False comfort and hinder the grieving and healing process I’d think.
It would be an interpretation based on limited data.
Could do all sorts of psychological damage especially as it evolved and became something else.

could it also have benefits

Welll…. it depends. Are you talking immediate benefits or long-term?

this paper discusses a deadbot named Dadbot.

“Findings suggest that the ‘Dadbot’ offers temporary comfort by simulating presence, allowing Dimple to feel emotionally connected to her deceased father. However, it also risks fostering emotional dependency, delaying the acceptance of loss, and interfering with neurobiological healing processes such as neuroplasticity and emotional regulation. Psychologically, the simulation supports avoidance behaviors, while ethically, it challenges notions of memory authenticity and consent.”

both, we’re just considering whether there are benefits and harms to weigh up or should it simply be dismissed out of hand

like a smarter therapeutic approach would be to 爱 up a counsellor bot that reflects on the memory of the dead, rather then faking them directly, but what would we know we’ve never died and been replaced by a bot at least to the best of our knowledge

Cymek said:

SCIENCE said:

Cymek said:

False comfort and hinder the grieving and healing process I’d think.
It would be an interpretation based on limited data.
Could do all sorts of psychological damage especially as it evolved and became something else.

could it also have benefits

Maybe
Not for me as once someone is dead that’s it I believe.

yeah well people still look at photographs of their deceased companions, other times your ABC put cultural sensitive warnings about depicting dead people, so we get that it’s different for different people

SCIENCE said:

Divine Angel said:

SCIENCE said:

could it also have benefits

Welll…. it depends. Are you talking immediate benefits or long-term?

this paper discusses a deadbot named Dadbot.

“Findings suggest that the ‘Dadbot’ offers temporary comfort by simulating presence, allowing Dimple to feel emotionally connected to her deceased father. However, it also risks fostering emotional dependency, delaying the acceptance of loss, and interfering with neurobiological healing processes such as neuroplasticity and emotional regulation. Psychologically, the simulation supports avoidance behaviors, while ethically, it challenges notions of memory authenticity and consent.”

both, we’re just considering whether there are benefits and harms to weigh up or should it simply be dismissed out of hand

like a smarter therapeutic approach would be to 爱 up a counsellor bot that reflects on the memory of the dead, rather then faking them directly, but what would we know we’ve never died and been replaced by a bot at least to the best of our knowledge

I wondered myself if you could start creating one of yourself
Write down memories, thoughts, actions, etc (a more detailed diary really) over decades and when dying compile it into a AI.

SCIENCE said:

Divine Angel said:

SCIENCE said:

could it also have benefits

Welll…. it depends. Are you talking immediate benefits or long-term?

this paper discusses a deadbot named Dadbot.

“Findings suggest that the ‘Dadbot’ offers temporary comfort by simulating presence, allowing Dimple to feel emotionally connected to her deceased father. However, it also risks fostering emotional dependency, delaying the acceptance of loss, and interfering with neurobiological healing processes such as neuroplasticity and emotional regulation. Psychologically, the simulation supports avoidance behaviors, while ethically, it challenges notions of memory authenticity and consent.”

both, we’re just considering whether there are benefits and harms to weigh up or should it simply be dismissed out of hand

like a smarter therapeutic approach would be to 爱 up a counsellor bot that reflects on the memory of the dead, rather then faking them directly, but what would we know we’ve never died and been replaced by a bot at least to the best of our knowledge

The following post may be triggering for some in light of our recent forum loss.
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OK, so let’s say forumers’ posts have been collated into a chatbot. A forumer joins the Great Pud in the Sky, and the remaining forumers say, “Hey Chatbot, pretend to be (forumer).” Chatbot posts like the deceased forumer.

Most of us don’t hang out IRL, some of us have never met another forumer IRL. Is the collective grief delayed, exploited, or forgotten as we chat?

Chatbot sibeen hangs out in cricket threads saying FUCK OFF, for example. It’d be like he never left.

Divine Angel said:

SCIENCE said:

Divine Angel said:

Welll…. it depends. Are you talking immediate benefits or long-term?

this paper discusses a deadbot named Dadbot.

“Findings suggest that the ‘Dadbot’ offers temporary comfort by simulating presence, allowing Dimple to feel emotionally connected to her deceased father. However, it also risks fostering emotional dependency, delaying the acceptance of loss, and interfering with neurobiological healing processes such as neuroplasticity and emotional regulation. Psychologically, the simulation supports avoidance behaviors, while ethically, it challenges notions of memory authenticity and consent.”

both, we’re just considering whether there are benefits and harms to weigh up or should it simply be dismissed out of hand

like a smarter therapeutic approach would be to 爱 up a counsellor bot that reflects on the memory of the dead, rather then faking them directly, but what would we know we’ve never died and been replaced by a bot at least to the best of our knowledge

The following post may be triggering for some in light of our recent forum loss.
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OK, so let’s say forumers’ posts have been collated into a chatbot. A forumer joins the Great Pud in the Sky, and the remaining forumers say, “Hey Chatbot, pretend to be (forumer).” Chatbot posts like the deceased forumer.

Most of us don’t hang out IRL, some of us have never met another forumer IRL. Is the collective grief delayed, exploited, or forgotten as we chat?

Chatbot sibeen hangs out in cricket threads saying FUCK OFF, for example. It’d be like he never left.

maybe, could work for some people

we’re familiar with family / friend* / forum settings where people say “if dead_agent were still with us they’d say / do / want generated_output” and it’s no disaster

*: friend settings, we’re not saying that we’re familiar with friends

Divine Angel said:

Chatbot sibeen hangs out in cricket threads saying FUCK OFF, for example. It’d be like he never left.

The horror!!!

ChrispenEvan said:

Divine Angel said:

Chatbot sibeen hangs out in cricket threads saying FUCK OFF, for example. It’d be like he never left.

The horror!!!

ChatBot makes real ghosts.

roughbarked said:

ChrispenEvan said:

Divine Angel said:

Chatbot sibeen hangs out in cricket threads saying FUCK OFF, for example. It’d be like he never left.

The horror!!!

ChatBot makes real ghosts.

cover yourself in mint sauce. that’ll keep him away. or cilantro.

New Treatment For Floaters: Game-Changing 3D Tracking Laser

Any good?

Tau.Neutrino said:

New Treatment For Floaters: Game-Changing 3D Tracking Laser

Any good?

I only really notice them when I’m reading in bed with the light on behind me reflecting off the pages.

Tau.Neutrino said:

New Treatment For Floaters: Game-Changing 3D Tracking Laser

Any good?

Hmmm, I was thinking of different floaters.
Shh Cymek

Tau.Neutrino said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

New Treatment For Floaters: Game-Changing 3D Tracking Laser

Any good?

I only really notice them when I’m reading in bed with the light on behind me reflecting off the pages.

I use the floaters in my eyes when i want to take a nap.

If i’m having trouble dozing off, if just focus my attention on whatever floaters i can see while my eyes are closed.

It’s a distraction, a sort of ‘empty your mind of thoughts’ strategem. Works quite well.

Tau.Neutrino said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

New Treatment For Floaters: Game-Changing 3D Tracking Laser

Any good?

I only really notice them when I’m reading in bed with the light on behind me reflecting off the pages.

I see them against a white computer sreen and while driving

Optical clocks set to replace microwave clocks?

Time is almost up on the way we track each second of the day, with optical atomic clocks set to redefine the way the world measures one second in the near future.

More…

How giant ‘Blobs’ of rock have influenced Earth’s magnetic field for millions of years – new research

While we have sent probes billions of kilometres into interstellar space, humans have barely scratched the surface of our own planet, not even making it through the thin crust.

More…

Terahertz microscope reveals the motion of superconducting electrons

You can tell a lot about a material based on the type of light shining at it: Optical light illuminates a material’s surface, while X-rays reveal its internal structures and infrared captures a material’s radiating heat. Now, MIT physicists have used terahertz light to reveal inherent, quantum vibrations in a superconducting material, which have not been observable until now.

More…

What If the Sensors on Your Car Were Inspecting Potholes for the Government? Honda Found Out

Radars and cameras might be for seeing cars and people now but they can be used to make existing roads better in the first place.

More…

Cosmic radiation brought to light: Researchers measure ionization in dark cloud for the first time

Where starlight doesn’t reach, new things are born: For the first time, an international research team has directly measured the effect of cosmic radiation in a cold molecular cloud. The observation shows how charged high-energy particles influence the gas in these lightless regions where stars are formed.

More…