This is the current edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter delivering a daily update on technology news.
Why do so many individuals believe the Fruit of the Loom logo features a cornucopia?
Quick query: Does the Fruit of the Loom logo have a cornucopia?
A significant number of us have worn the brand’s T-shirts for years, yet the debate over whether the logo includes a brown horn of plenty remains surprisingly controversial.
As per a 2022 survey, 55% of Americans think the logo does show a cornucopia, 25% are uncertain, and merely 21% assert it doesn’t, despite that last group’s correctness.
This phenomenon is known as the “Mandela effect,” or a collective false memory, named after the notable misremembering of Nelson Mandela’s prison death by many. While some easily relinquish their unverifiable beliefs, others spend years searching for clarity—and validation. Read the complete story.
—Amelia Tait
This article is included in MIT Technology Review’s series “The New Conspiracy Age,” discussing how the current surge in conspiracy theories is altering science and technology.
Here’s the reason we lack a vaccine for the common cold. Yet.
For those of us situated in the Northern Hemisphere, it’s the season for sniffles. As temperatures drop, we’re all spending increased time indoors. Children have been attending school for a couple of months. Cold viruses are everywhere.
So why can’t we develop a vaccine to guard us against the common cold? Researchers have been pursuing this for many years, but it appears that formulating a cold vaccine is quite challenging. Extremely challenging. Yet not unfeasible. There remains hope. Read the entire story.
—Jessica Hamzelou
This piece first appeared in The Checkup, MIT Technology Review’s weekly biotech newsletter. To receive it in your inbox every Thursday, and read articles like this first, sign up here.
Exploring the archives of the NASA Ames Research Center
At the southern edge of San Francisco Bay, nestled among tech behemoths like Google, Apple, and Microsoft, lies the historic NASA Ames Research Center. Its extensive history features a mix of captivating scientific research, including massive wind tunnels, experimental aircraft, supercomputing, astrobiology, and much more.
A collection of 5,000 photographs from NASA Ames’s archives vividly illustrates the cutting-edge work occurring in the heart of America’s tech hub. Read the full story.
—Jon Keegan
This story comes from the latest print edition of MIT Technology Review magazine, which is packed with articles about the human body. If you haven’t yet, subscribe now to receive future issues as soon as they’re available.
The essential reads
I’ve scoured the internet to find you today’s most entertaining/significant/alarming/intriguing tales about technology.
1 The US government is contemplating a ban on TP-Link routers
An investigation has prompted concerns regarding the company’s ties to China. (WP $)
+ Lawmakers fear its devices are susceptible to hacking. (Bloomberg $)
2 ICE intends to construct a deportation network in Texas
The 24/7 operation would shift detained immigrants to holding facilities. (Wired $)
+ However, US citizens are also being detained. (NY Mag $)
+ Inside the operation competing with ICE. (Slate $)
+ Another attempt to monitor ICE raids has recently been taken offline. (MIT Technology Review)
3 Ukrainian drone crews are gamifying their wartime strategies
Officials state that incentivizing soldiers for successful strikes keeps them engaged. (NYT $)
+ A drone startup backed by Peter Thiel faltered during military trials. (FT $)
+ Meet the radio-enthusiast civilian contributing to Ukraine’s drone defense. (MIT Technology Review)
4 Meta has refuted allegations of downloading porn to train its AI models
It asserts that the downloads were for an individual’s “personal use.” (Ars Technica)
5 Monitoring bird flu has become increasingly difficult
The virus has caused significant disruption to the US poultry sector for nearly four years. (Vox)
+ A novel biosensor can identify bird flu within five minutes. (MIT Technology Review)
6 AI web browsers are a cybersecurity disaster
They harbor numerous known—and unknown—threats. (The Verge)
+ I tested OpenAI’s new Atlas browser but still couldn’t ascertain its purpose. (MIT Technology Review)
7 Robots are increasingly taking on various tasks across the US
Yet they continue to be problematic and costly to operate. (WSJ $)
+ Discover when you might start conversing with robots. (MIT Technology Review)
8 These are the positions created by AI
From conversation designer to adoption strategist. (WP $)
+ If you’re interested in pursuing a role in quantum computing, here’s how to go about it. (IEEE Spectrum)
9 Computer vision is advancing significantly 👀
Their limitations are swiftly being addressed. (Knowable Magazine)
10 A YouTuber who cracks locks is being sued by a lock manufacturer 🔓
The lawsuit claims he defamed the company, despite not uttering a word in the video. (Ars Technica)
Quote of the day
“Indeed, we’ve been to the Moon previously… six occasions!”
—NASA’s acting administrator Sean Duffy responds to Kim Kardashian’s assertion that humanity has never landed on the moon, the Guardian reports.
One final thing
What occurs when you donate your body to science
Rebecca George is unfazed by the complaints of the vultures perched in the trees surrounding the Western Carolina University body farm. Her arrival has disturbed their meal. George investigates human decomposition, and as part of decomposition, becoming nourishment is essential. Scavengers are welcome here.
In the US, approximately 20,000 individuals or their families choose to donate their bodies for scientific study and education annually. Regardless of the motivation, the decision transforms into a gift. Western Carolina’s FOREST is one of the sites where attentive caretakers recognize the profound connection between the deceased and the living, and the treatment of the former reflects one’s attitude toward the latter. Read the complete story.
—Abby Ohlheiser
We can still appreciate good things
A space for solace, enjoyment, and entertainment to enhance your day. (Have any suggestions? Send me a message or share them with me.)
+ Zoo animals around the globe are getting into the Halloween spirit with delightful pumpkins.
+ If you’re looking for something suitably eerie to watch tonight, this list makes for a great starting point.
+ New York’s historic Morris-Jumel Mansion is absolutely stunning—and richly haunted.
+ Salem’s Lucipurr is on the lookout!
