Lifeboat Foundation

Go for launch.

With a simple and cheap rocket, Virgin Orbit aims for the extraordinary.

With a first flight months away, we take a long look at the launch company.

Continue reading “With a simple and cheap rocket, Virgin Orbit aims for the extraordinary” »

As the International Space Station (ISS) faces future funding cutbacks, China has jumped into the fray with off-world plans of its own.

Important — “Understanding the mind of another person is therefore enabled by getting perspective, not simply taking perspective.”

I still remem­ber the time I tried to com­fort one of my best friends when her father died. Because I’d lost my own par­ents years before, I thought I under­stood her pain. But, when I offered sym­pa­thy, she balked. Her father’s death had been tran­scen­dent, filled with love and fam­i­ly con­nec­tion. She didn’t feel pain; she felt at peace.

Try­ing to see where anoth­er per­son is com­ing from is often tout­ed as a key to empa­thy. If we imag­ine our­selves in their shoes, the think­ing goes, we’ll be able to pre­dict their feel­ings and their behav­ior, bridg­ing the gap between self and oth­er. This is con­sid­ered a skill—sometimes called “the­o­ry of mind”—that begins in child­hood and devel­ops through­out our lives, help­ing us to nav­i­gate social sit­u­a­tions gracefully.

Continue reading “Study finds the limits of putting oneself in another’s shoes (instead, ask and listen)” »

There is no doubt that artificial general intelligence (AGI) — an AI that is capable of generating human-level intelligence — is on its way. It’s only a matter a when, not if. According to some researchers, the quest to developing AGI may take longer than expected. But even then, the quest continues on.

How we treat robots in the future may significantly rely on how we expose children to artificially intelligent supertoys today.

Continue reading “In the Age of AI, Children Should Befriend Their Supertoys” »

Railroads aren’t great if they’re underwater.

Scientists have directly observed sea level rise since the late 18th century. And as they forecast the next 20, 50, and 100 years, sea level rise will continue to accelerate at an alarming rate. That rise won’t just threaten homeowners on the coast — it will also impact the critical infrastructure that supports many of our largest cities.

Continue reading “Why chronic floods are coming to New Jersey” »

The company that owns a geothermal plant near Hawaii’s erupting volcano says lava has burned down a substation and adjacent warehouse at the complex.

Integrated Roadways of Kansas City is developing “smart pavement” technology that would make roads more than just something you drive on. Roads would become a platform for future mobility and safety applications.

Neil Nakahodo

At least it wouldn’t be so hot outside, right?

Doctors can now restore eyesight with stem cells (via NowThis Future)