Physicists seem to be turning to fiction for inspiration when creating novel materials. Current shapeshifting materials are not very flexible; they can only transform into a handful of configurations. However, Harvard scientists have created a “totimorphic” material which can shapeshift into any stable structure – and it is based on Luxo, Jr., the iconic Pixar lamp. They looked to ‘his’ head in particular, which can take on any position through “having a set of opposing springs in tension that change their lengths while the total energy remains constant”. Read full article here
Culture
The Priest in the Arena
The phrase “man in the arena” has been popularized in recent years, but a lesser known, more dangerous archetype is the “priest in the arena”. This figure is responsible for a process called theocratic capture, where an institution surrenders to a cult demanding unaccountable authority, fueled by claims to privileged knowledge. These cults often target powerful institutions and attempt to monopolize conversations with scaremongering tactics and hostile treatment of allies. It is important to identify and stop theocratic capture before it can gain control. Read full article here
Merv
May 29, 2023
