Libra’s biggest problem? Facebook
A look at the travails at Facebook’s proposed alternative financial system.
The bonkers, bristly story of how big toothbrush took over the world
This article on the banal topic of toothbrushes proves illuminating on the subject of consumer goods pricing, socio-economic factors in public health outcomes, and the sometimes blurry lines between scientific research and PR.
Three Years of Misery Inside Google, the Happiest Company in Tech
A look at some challenging times at the technology behemoth.
The Weird, Dark History of 8chan
The story behind the online message board 8chan: “an anonymous digital safe haven for the type of discussions that made many of its users unwelcome elsewhere on the web: abhorrent racism, violent misogyny, and rampant anti-Semitism.” The site is in the news again after the El Paso shooting as the shooter used it to post an anti-immigration screed just a few minutes before opening fire.
Why I (Still) Love Tech: In Defense of a Difficult Industry
Paul Ford (writer of the fantastic What is Code? story from Journal 3 – bit.ly/bloomberg-code) assesses an industry under increasing public scrutiny.
Meth, Murder, and Pirates: The Coder Who Became a Crime Boss
This extraordinary story sounds like something from a prestige television series (which it may well end up becoming), with a genius programmer building a platform marketplace allowing buyers access to all sorts of illegal goods.
The epic tale of China’s out of this world plan for space domination
Contrary to expectations set by the somewhat sensationalist title, this piece offers an insightful unpicking of the geo-political landscape of space exploration, in light of China’s work to catch up with Russian and American capabilities at breakneck speed.
Inside the Haywire World of Beirut’s Electricity Brokers
The complicated business of Beirut’s independent electricity grid.
An obscure Chinese firm has taken over London’s black cabs. Its next target? Beat Uber at its own game
A look behind the scenes at a formerly little known Chinese car manufacturer, now owner of Volvo, with a stake in Daimler, and full ownership of the company making London’s very own black cabs.
In a Perpetual Present
A story examining the unusual case of a middle aged woman who experiences everything in the present. The difference between her and many people in a similar situation is that rather than having the agony of losing the ability to form and access memories, she has never had it. This study of a life experienced without memory is illuminating and surprising.