Space travel might be worse for human health than scientists thought
New research by a British non-profit suggests that the health consequences of being in space may be more serious than originally believed. As far as suitable environments go, space in pretty uninhabitable. Not only does it lack oxygen, but the atmosphere is either far too hot or far too cold for...
Current in Tech
The problem with AI playlists on Spotify
Spotify algorithms are alienating us from each other and casting shadows over smaller artists by playing the same music over and over again. Is there a way we can rediscover the joy of sharing through streaming and continue to expand our tastes and experiences through sound? Whether you’re passionate about...
Universal partners with ‘ethical’ AI music generator KLAY
A company called Klay Vision is building a ‘Large Music Model’ called KLayMM, which aims to set ethical foundations for AI music generation. Universal Music has partnered and says the ‘next Beatles will play with KLAY.’ After ‘BBL Drizzy’ something needs to change. Last May, comedian Will Hatcher went viral when...
Grim revelations arise from two-year TikTok investigation
Previously redacted documents about TikTok’s practices have been mulled over by several news outlets. The grim revelations bring to question the platform’s duty of care and lax precautions, particularly when it comes to young users. Two years ago, TikTok discovered some truly disgusting things were taking place on their platform. Children...
Why are men sabotaging the ‘she deserved the purse’ trend?
Men have been sabotaging women’s pay-it-forward scheme by wrecking baby aisles and taking money intended for young mothers. Is this a clap-back against the unnecessary spectacularisation of generosity or against women experiencing privileges men have excluded themselves from by unequally distributing parental responsibility? Across the US, women have been hiding...
The dystopia of watching Hurricane Milton unfold online
On one side of the internet, content creators and clout chasers used the natural disaster to entertain and engage. On the other, it triggered a surge in misinformation and conspiracy theories. While social media platforms function as a go-to news source for many, is this proof that things have...
Is the ‘Souls-like’ explosion linked to real world adversity?
Difficult RPG games of the ‘Souls-like’ variety used to be somewhat niche, due to their unforgiving nature. In the last 18 months, however, the popularity of these types of games has exploded. Why is that? Never had a tension headache from playing a game before? May I offer you some Souls-like? If you haven’t heard that term before, it originates from Dark Souls - a gothic RPG created by FromSoftware back...
WHO joins TikTok to deliver science-based health info
Since the pandemic, there has been a surge in people seeking health information online. This has led to an increase in misinformation, however, leaving many overwhelmed as they navigate online medical guidance. To help tackle this growing issue, the World Health Organization (WHO) have announced a collaboration with TikTok to deliver reliable science-based information on health and well-being to young adults. Gen Z is more likely than other generations...
Scientists finally understand why people with schizophrenia hear voices
According to new research – which represents a ‘paradigm shift’ for mental health disorders – the way people experience auditory verbal hallucinations isn’t that different from the way humans hear external sounds. For decades, scientists have been endeavouring to understand why people with schizophrenia (which affects 1 in 300 people worldwide) hear voices. Now, they believe they’ve discovered where these ‘voices’ emanate from, thanks to new research...
The life-threatening ‘Chroming’ challenge spreading on TikTok
The challenge involving inhaling toxic fumes has gained popularity among the younger generations, raising serious health concerns among health professionals and parents. Adolescents' use of social media has left older generations, including the oldest members of Generation Z, baffled. Although every generation has encountered unsettling trends, the rise of social media has intensified these issues, creating an even bigger trap for Generation Alpha and the younger members of Gen Z. From...
