Astrophysicist Adam Frank explores the fundamental difference between life and matter, arguing that life intentionally uses information, unlike stars or other physical systems. He and his colleagues estimate that the biosphere moves about 1024 bits/second, significantly more than human efforts, but predict that the technosphere will surpass this by 2113. Frank ponders if this shift marks a threshold for human evolution, but acknowledges the uncertainty of such predictions. The article also addresses the distinction between information and matter, cautioning against overreliance on future projections.
A study led by astrophysicist Manasvi Lingam estimates that the biosphere, the sum total of Earth's life, currently moves more information per second than the technosphere, the sum total of human technology. By 2113, however, the rapid expansion of digital technology is projected to surpass the biosphere in terms of information transfer. This raises questions about the implications for the evolution of our species and the planet, highlighting the power of a global perspective on information and life.
A 26-year-old comedian on TikTok asked "older people" how they coped before the internet, sparking a discussion about life before instant access to information. Users shared their experiences of relying on dictionaries, encyclopedias, experts, and paper maps. Some mentioned accepting not knowing as a good thing, while others highlighted the convenience of modern technology. The comedian, Sarah Adelman, was fascinated by the responses and found that urban myths were more pervasive without easy fact-checking. TikTok is increasingly becoming a platform for intergenerational conversations and comparisons.
A TikTok video by a woman born in 1997 asking older people how they functioned before the internet has gone viral, sparking nostalgia and humorous responses from millennials and Gen X-ers. The video asks how people looked up information, remembered actor names, and navigated without Google Maps. Older users shared their experiences, reminiscing about using paper maps, getting lost, and relying on memory. While some found it inconvenient, others appreciated the problem-solving skills it developed. The video has sparked a connection between generations and a sense of nostalgia for a time before the internet ruled everything.
As student loan payments are set to resume in early October, thousands of Tennesseans and millions across the country are expressing frustration over the lack of information provided. Budget cuts to the Department of Education have resulted in reduced staffing and hours, making it difficult for borrowers to obtain the assistance they need. Scammers are taking advantage of this situation, further complicating the process. Consumer watchdogs advise borrowers to avoid using online search engines for information and instead contact their student loan servicers directly. Planning ahead and staying proactive is crucial to avoid falling behind on payments.
This article provides information about the new COVID vaccine, including where to find it. It highlights the importance of vaccination in combating the pandemic and mentions the ongoing efforts to distribute the vaccine to the public.
TikTok has quietly partnered with Wikipedia to provide snippets of information from the online encyclopedia in its search results. The feature, which has been live for a few months, allows users to access Wikipedia links for various topics directly within the app. The snippets appear as users scroll through search results and are sandwiched between relevant videos. While the feature is not consistently available for all search terms, it reflects TikTok's efforts to expand its search function and provide users with more information.
The closure of The Welch News, a 100-year-old newspaper in McDowell County, West Virginia, has left residents feeling isolated and uninformed. The loss of the local news outlet means that public meetings go unreported, local crises are overlooked, and disinformation spreads unchecked. The closure disproportionately affects rural Americans, who rely on newspapers for crucial information. The county, once a symbol of American progress, now faces poverty, low graduation rates, and a lack of infrastructure. The disappearance of the newspaper has left a void that is being filled by cable news and social media, leading to the circulation of unverified information.
Five people were injured in three separate shootings in Baltimore within a span of two hours, prompting the police to seek information from the public.
The data stored on your phone does have a weight due to the mass of electrons, as explained by Einstein's equation (E = mc2). When information is added or removed from flash memory, the energy levels change, resulting in a change in mass. However, the amount of data that can be stored on modern phones is not enough to make a noticeable difference in weight. Even with the maximum amount of data storage available on the latest iPhone, the weight difference is only around 0.1 femtograms, which is effectively unmeasurable. Therefore, your phone does technically weigh more when it's full of data, but not enough for you to notice.
Agents in the NFL have access to valuable inside information regarding whether their injured clients will or won't play in games. While they currently share this information with reporters, there is concern that agents could potentially use this information for gambling purposes or sell it to others. The league and union should collaborate to develop strategies to prevent the misuse of this information.
The FBI is offering a $25,000 reward for any information that leads to the whereabouts of 2-year-old Wynter Smith, who went missing in Lansing on July 2, 2023.
The Lincoln Police Department is searching for 13-year-old Shaye Ruel, who was last seen near Northwest 58th Street on Wednesday night. Ruel has black hair, brown eyes, is 5′2″ and weighs 130 pounds. Anyone with information is encouraged to call Lincoln Police at 402-441-6000.
