Experiencing life in the midst of a conspiracy theory (as told by a conspiracy theory specialist)
—Mike Rothschild is a journalist with expertise in the expansion and effects of conspiracy theories and misinformation.
The pattern is all too recognizable by now: A tragedy occurs; misinformation and conspiracy theories arise in response. This issue is magnified during natural disasters, when theories about the “true” causes of the events collide with cultural battles over climate change denial. Together, these narratives obscure actual reasons while promoting falsehoods.
I have deeply explored these concepts, spending the last decade writing about conspiracy theories and misinformation as a journalist and researcher. My coverage spans topics from the emergence of QAnon to speculations about Donald Trump’s assassination attempt. I have authored three books, testified before Congress, and contributed a report for the January 6th Committee.
Yet, I had never personally experienced it. That changed when my residence in Altadena, California, was engulfed by flames. Read the entire account.
This narrative is part of MIT Technology Review’s series “The New Conspiracy Age,” which examines how the current surge in conspiracy theories is influencing science and technology. Discover the rest of the series here. It’s also highlighted in this week’s MIT Technology Review Narrated podcast, which we release weekly on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
If you’d like to hear more from Mike, he will be participating with our features editor Amanda Silverman and executive editor Niall Firth in an exclusive Roundtable conversation for subscribers discussing how we can navigate through the era of conspiracy. It’s set for 1pm ET on Thursday, November 20—register now to participate!
This startup believes slime mold can assist us in designing improved urban environments
It is a yellowish mass without a brain, yet certain researchers suspect that a curious organism known as slime mold might aid in constructing more robust cities.
Humans have been developing cities for 6,000 years, while slime mold has existed for 600 million. The group behind a new startup named Mireta aims to transform the organism’s biological advantages into algorithms that could enhance transportation efficiency, reduce congestion, and lessen climate-related interruptions in urban areas worldwide. Read the complete story.
—Elissaveta M. Brandon
This article comes from the latest print edition of MIT Technology Review magazine, filled with captivating tales about our bodies. If you haven’t yet, subscribe now to get future issues as they arrive.
The essential readings
I’ve scoured the internet to curate today’s most intriguing/important/scary/fascinating accounts of technology.
1 US officials are avoiding COP30
And American business leaders appear to be doing the same. (NYT $)
+ Demonstrators disrupted the climate discussions in Brazil. (The Guardian)
+ Gavin Newsom criticized Donald Trump’s climate policies during an appearance. (FT $)
2 The UK is considering evaluating AI systems for their potential to generate CSAM
The government has proposed modifying a legislative bill to allow these assessments. (BBC)
+ US authorities are leveraging AI to uncover child abuse images created by AI. (MIT Technology Review)
3 Google is pursuing legal action against a group of Chinese hackers
The allegation is that they are selling software facilitating criminal schemes. (FT $)
+ The group is reportedly conducting massive text message phishing operations. (CBS News)
4 A prominent ‘cryptoqueen’ has been sentenced to prison
Qian Zhimin misappropriated funds from Chinese pensioners to invest in cryptocurrency now valued in the billions. (BBC)
+ She deceived her victims through a sophisticated ponzi scheme. (CNN)
5 Creators of carbon capture technology are concerned about its misuse
Overdependence on the technique could Foster overconfidence and result in nations postponing necessary emission reductions. (Bloomberg $)
+ Big Tech’s significant investment in a contentious carbon removal strategy. (MIT Technology Review)
6 The UK is set to utilize AI to eliminate animal testing
3D bioprinted human tissues may expedite this process. (The Guardian)
+ However, the AI boom is appearing increasingly unstable. (WSJ $)
7 Louisiana is facing a whooping cough outbreak
To date, two infants have succumbed to the entirely preventable illness. (Undark)
8 Here’s how everyday individuals engage with ChatGPT
Emotional support and dialogue seem to be frequent occurrences.(WP $)
+ It’s surprisingly simple to form a connection with an AI chatbot. (MIT Technology Review)
9 Exploring the search for lost continents
A newly identified mechanism is illuminating the reasons behind their potential disappearance. (404 Media)
+ How environmental DNA is providing scientists with a fresh perspective on understanding our world. (MIT Technology Review)
10 AI is impacting entry-level jobs for Gen Z
Particularly in traditionally graduate-preferred consulting firms. (NY Mag $)
+ What the Industrial Revolution can teach us regarding the adaptation to AI. (Knowable Magazine)
+ Corporate boards in America are groping in the dark. (WSJ $)
Quote of the day
“We cannot consume money.”*
—Nato, a leader from the Tupinamba community, explains to Reuters the reason for their protest at the COP30 climate summit in Brazil against any possible sale of their land.
One more note
How K-pop enthusiasts are influencing elections across the globe
Back in the early ‘90s, Korean pop music, known as K-pop, was predominantly contained within its home country of South Korea. It has since exploded into a global phenomenon, marked by intricate choreography and captivating performances.
It has turned groups like Girls Generation, EXO, BTS, and Blackpink into global sensations, fostering a particularly fierce level of devotion among their fans.
Now, these same fandoms have figured out how to leverage their digital skills to promote social change and pursue political aims—organizing civil resistance actions, contributing significantly to charities, and even disrupting white supremacist efforts to disseminate hate speech. Read the entire article.
—Soo Youn
We can still enjoy the good things in life
A space for comfort, amusement, and distraction to brighten your day.
+ These suckerfish are enjoying themselves hitching a ride on a whale.
+ On your next flight, skip the WiFi. I’m planning to do so.
+ I’m fascinated by this giant interactive gif.
+ The current trend in fragrance? Smelling like a robot, apparently.
