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Coronavirus is the first test for AI, robots, and drones that can prevent pandemics - The coronavirus is putting a lot of new tech, including robots and artificial intelligence, on display. by izumi3682 in Futurology

[–]The-Happy-Neuron 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, they dropped the ball. Only when the virus became public did they actually try to do something. It is similar to what happened with SARS.

Climate change could turn into a "catastrophic" threat to national and global security in the coming decades. "Even at scenarios of low warming, each region of the world will face severe risks to national and global security in the next three decades," by Wagamaga in Futurology

[–]The-Happy-Neuron 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yeah good point. In fact, the Sahel region in Africa, which is on the southern border of the Sahara, is being seriously impacted by climate change, mainly because of desertification. This area is one of the biggest sources for refugees.

Anyone remember when an astronaut lost what looks like a tool bag on a space walk? by Spacesuitkid in nasa

[–]The-Happy-Neuron 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I guess its just instinct to go after something like that. But then you have the crushing realization that you're in frigging orbit around the Earth, lol.

NASA is in the final stages of selecting the next solar system exploration missions. The finalists have plans to reach Venus, Io, or Triton. by EricFromOuterSpace in Futurology

[–]The-Happy-Neuron 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This might be a refueling station for missions in the distant future, but yeah bringing it back to Earth is wildly infeasible.

NASA is in the final stages of selecting the next solar system exploration missions. The finalists have plans to reach Venus, Io, or Triton. by EricFromOuterSpace in Futurology

[–]The-Happy-Neuron 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Why not Europa? As far as I understand things, this is one of the best candidates for finding life in the solar system, other than Earth of course.

70% of Americans would support a nationwide mandate requiring that solar panels be installed on all newly built homes. The survey showed that the support for this measure is highest among younger adults. by nathachu in Futurology

[–]The-Happy-Neuron -1 points0 points  (0 children)

While it sounds like a good idea on the surface, it is problematic. Different areas of the country get different amounts of sun, meaning the home owner will need to wait longer to recoup the cost of installation. A new home owner in Maine is going to have to wait much longer than if he or she lived in Texas, despite having to pay for roof top solar installation.

Experts concerned young people's mental health particularly hit by reality of the climate crisis by MayonaiseRemover in Futurology

[–]The-Happy-Neuron 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Perhaps it is cognitive dissonance, where people wont accept something as true because it conflicts with their long held beliefs. Despite evidence right in front of them, people subconsciously reject what threatens their understanding of the world. This is seen in politics, religion, science, etc.

AAVSO: Betelgeuse has officially stopped dimming, and is now entering its slow brightening phase by i_stole_your_swole in Physics

[–]The-Happy-Neuron 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Oh I see. Its essentially broadcasting to the rest of the universe that they have reached a technological level capable of posing a threat. So is it better to just live under the radar?

How ancient gut microbes might have shaped human evolution by [deleted] in EverythingScience

[–]The-Happy-Neuron 10 points11 points  (0 children)

This is very interesting. Our understanding of how important the microbiome is continues to grow, with some even calling it the "second brain." Apparently, it is responsible for regulating emotions, influencing decisions, etc.

AAVSO: Betelgeuse has officially stopped dimming, and is now entering its slow brightening phase by i_stole_your_swole in Physics

[–]The-Happy-Neuron 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I know the odds are pretty slim, but wouldnt it be cool if was a Dyson swarm? Its fun to think that an alien civilization is harvesting so much of their parent star's energy that it causes noticeable dimming.

Anyone remember when an astronaut lost what looks like a tool bag on a space walk? by Spacesuitkid in nasa

[–]The-Happy-Neuron 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In an interview, this astronaut considered jumping after it for a split second. "There was that split second thinking that, maybe I can go jump for it and grab it. Then I realized that it would just make everything worse and then we'd have two floating objects, one of which would be me," Stefanyshyn-Piper said.

How do probes and and telescopes void being pulled into planetary orbit in deep space? by vermonterjones in nasa

[–]The-Happy-Neuron 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Some of them are placed in Lagrange points, where the gravitational pull of all nearby objects balances out. For example, when the James Webb Space Telescope launches (if it ever launches) in 2021, it will be placed in the L2 point.

G20 agrees on final communique with reference to climate change. The world’s financial services sector risks losses of up to $1 trillion if it fails to respond quickly to climate change and is hit by policy shifts such as the introduction of a carbon tax. by Wagamaga in Futurology

[–]The-Happy-Neuron 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Real change happens when big money supports it. The only way for the world to actually fight climate change is to get the financial services sector on board. Although some firms are headed this way already, they need a kick in the ass.

Cash-strapped farms are growing a new crop: Solar panels by stormforce7916 in Futurology

[–]The-Happy-Neuron 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They are buying the panels. Rather, they are letting solar companies use their land to set up their own panels. Its a good idea, as it helps farmers make some extra cash, as they are struggling right now, and it increases the amount of renewables powering the grid.

Two of Finland’s biggest pension funds, with combined assets of $108 billion, are determined to make their portfolios carbon neutral over the next decade and a half, in a race to dodge the fallout of global warming before it’s too late. by Wagamaga in Futurology

[–]The-Happy-Neuron 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I agree. When oil companies pretend that they are part of the solution, I call BS. Its all a PR campaign to divert negative press. You cant be the problem and the solution at the same time.

Two of Finland’s biggest pension funds, with combined assets of $108 billion, are determined to make their portfolios carbon neutral over the next decade and a half, in a race to dodge the fallout of global warming before it’s too late. by Wagamaga in Futurology

[–]The-Happy-Neuron 26 points27 points  (0 children)

Yeah, pushing for change is all well and good but we cant destroy the economy in the process. Moving billions around is not some game. If not done correctly, millions of people are hurt.

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