3 Anthropogenic Threats to Humanity (Toby Ord’s The Precipice)

A fiery mushroom cloud from a nuclear bomb explosion illustrates anthropogenic threats to humanity

Are we on the brink of a human-made disaster? What catastrophic threats to our existence could be our own fault? Toby Ord’s book The Precipice explores the dangers posed by anthropogenic threats. He speculates on the potential consequences of nuclear weapons, climate change, and environmental damage. These human-driven risks could lead to civilization collapse or even extinction. Keep reading to get Ord’s take on these potential existential challenges.

How to Save Humanity: Strategies to Neutralize Existential Risks

A life preserver in outer space floating toward Earth illustrates how to save humanity

Are we on the brink of extinction? Can humanity be saved from existential threats? Toby Ord’s book The Precipice explores these pressing questions. He outlines potential catastrophes and offers strategies to prevent them. Ord believes we can take steps to avoid disaster and reach our full potential as a species. Read on to discover how to save humanity and secure a brighter future for generations to come.

What Is the Future of Humanity? It Depends on What We Do

The words "THE FUTURE" seen through a telescope illustrates the question, What is the future of humanity?

What is the future of humanity? Are we on the brink of disaster—or at the cusp of unprecedented progress? Toby Ord’s perspective on humanity’s potential and risks offers a thought-provoking glimpse into our species’ trajectory. He explores our remarkable achievements, technological advancements, and the looming threats that could derail our progress. Keep reading for a journey through time, technology, and the human condition as we explore what the future of humanity might hold.

Existential Threats to Humanity: Are We on the Precipice?

A globe teetering on the edge of a cliff in desert mountains illustrates existential threats to humanity

Is humanity on the brink of extinction? Can we do anything to safeguard our future? Toby Ord’s book The Precipice explores existential threats to humanity, from natural disasters to man-made catastrophes. He delves into current risks such as nuclear weapons and climate change, as well as potential future dangers such as pandemics and artificial intelligence. Keep reading for a sobering yet crucial exploration of the challenges facing humanity.

What Can We Learn From Animals? Sy Montgomery’s Experience

A scientist in a yellow jacket studying a white ermine in a field, showing what we can learn from animals

What can we learn from animals? What two animals changed Sy Montgomery’s perspective on living beings? After deciding to become a nature writer, Sy Montgomery had many experiences with animals that helped her appreciate animals and people in new ways. We’ll look at the lessons she learned from two of those animals: a pinktoe tarantula and a chicken-stealing ermine. Continue reading for the lessons animals can teach us.

The Code Breaker: Book Overview (Walter Isaacson)

A woman reading a book in a study with a strand of DNA coming out of the book.

Have you heard of CRISPR and wondered what all the fuss is about? How could this groundbreaking technology change the world as we know it? The Code Breaker, a book by Walter Isaacson, explores the fascinating world of CRISPR gene editing technology. The book lays out its development, focusing on Nobel Prize winner Jennifer Doudna’s contributions, and examines the moral quandaries and potential applications of this revolutionary scientific tool. Continue reading for an overview of this important book.

What Is CRISPR, and How Does It Work? (The Code Breaker)

What is CRISPR, and how does it work? An image of bacterial cells illustrates where this phenomenon was discovered

What is CRISPR, and how does it work? What if we could use nature’s defense mechanisms to revolutionize medicine? CRISPR, a natural biological feature found in some microorganisms, has become a powerful tool for genetic modification. Walter Isaacson’s book The Code Breaker explores its scientific background, discovery in nature, and how it functions as an antiviral defense mechanism in bacteria. Keep reading to learn what CRISPR is and how it works.

Why Border Collies Are the Best Dogs: 2 Adorable Examples

Two border collies running through a field, showing why border collies are the best dogs

Why are border collies the best dogs? Why is it so hard to get a new pet after another passes away? In their many years at the farmhouse, Sy Montgomery and her husband Howard rescued several border collies. She looks back on the lessons about love that Montgomery learned from two of them: Tess and Sally.  Here’s how two of Montgomery’s border collies ended up changing her life.

How Added Flavor Enhancers in Foods Trick Our Bodies

A grocery store aisle full of canned foods that contain flavor enhancers and other chemicals

How do flavor enhancers in foods trick our bodies and brains? Why aren’t ultra-processed foods actually foods? The process of manufacturing ultra-processed foods (UPF) destroys the thousands of molecules that comprise whole foods, effectively making them food-like substances. Part of the reason UPFs are so addictive despite this is because of their added flavorings. Here’s a look at the dangers of added flavoring in UPFs.

Who Is Jennifer Doudna? Her Life & Career (Walter Isaacson)

An image of Jennifer Doudna at the World Economic Forum

Who is Jennifer Doudna? How did she develop CRISPR technology, and how did the breakthrough launch her career? Jennifer Doudna’s journey from a curious child in Hawaii to a Nobel Prize-winning scientist is nothing short of inspiring. Her work on CRISPR, alongside colleague Emmanuelle Charpentier, has transformed the field of gene editing and opened up new possibilities in medicine and biotechnology. Read on to discover how Doudna’s early experiences shaped her career, the challenges she faced as a woman in STEM, and the intense competition that surrounded the development of CRISPR technology.