+ Scientists have found a way to mature eggs from transgender men in the laboratory. It could offer them new ways to start a family, without the need for distressing IVF procedures. Read the whole story. + How reproductive technology is changing what it means to be a parent. Advances could lead to babies with four or more biological parents, forcing us to reconsider parenthood. Read the whole story.
Required readings
I’ve combed the internet to find you the funniest/important/scary and fascinating stories about technology.
1 Elon Musk wants to reinstate banned Twitter accounts
It’s an incredibly dangerous decision with widespread repercussions. (WP$)
+ The latest outings have hit Twitter’s security and policy divisions hard. (WSJ$)
+ It seems that Musk’s promise of no more layoffs was premature. (Insider $)
+ Meanwhile, Twitter Blue will still launch next week. (Reuters)
+ Imagine simply transferring your followers to another platform. (FT$)
+ Twitter’s potential collapse could wipe out vast records of recent human history. (MIT Technology Review)
2 Russia’s energy withdrawal could kill tens of thousands in Europe
High fuel costs could cause more deaths this winter than the war in Ukraine. (Economist $)
+ Higher gas prices will also hit Americans as the weather worsens. (Voice)
+ The invasion of Ukraine highlights Europe’s deep dependence on Russian fossil fuels. (MIT Technology Review)
3 FTX cannot honor the grants it promised to various organizations
Many of them have to seek emergency funding to plug the gaps. (WSJ$)
+ Bahamians are not thrilled about what its collapse could mean for them. (WP$)
4 It’s a quieter Black Friday than usual
Shopping is not a priority right now. (Bloomberg$)
+ If you decide to buy, make sure you don’t get scammed. (via cable $)
5 UK is curbing use of Chinese surveillance systems
But only in “sensitive” government places. (FT$)
+ The World’s Largest Surveillance Company You’ve Never Heard Of. (MIT Technology Review)
6 The long covid is still incredibly difficult to treat
Their symptoms vary wildly, which can also make tracking difficult. (not dark)
+ A universal flu vaccine looks promising. (New Scientist $)
7 San Francisco police are considering letting robots use lethal force
The force has 12 remotely piloted robots that could, in theory, kill someone. (The edge)
8 Human hibernation could be the key to getting us to Mars
It could be the closest we can get to time travel. (via cable $)
9 Why TikTok Is Suddenly So Obsessed With Dabloons
It’s a fun way to choose your own adventure. (The Guardian)
10 We can’t stop trying to reinvent mousetraps 🧀
There are thousands of versions, but we keep creating new designs. (New Yorker $)
