That is right this moment’s version of The Download, our weekday e-newsletter that gives a every day dose of what’s happening on this planet of know-how.
How CRISPR may assist save crops from devastation attributable to pests
For many years, the grape-growers of California have battled Pierce’s Illness, a nasty an infection which causes vines to wither. The arrival of an invasive insect across the late ‘80s supercharged the unfold of the illness, turning it from a nuisance to a nightmare.
The illness nonetheless has no remedy, and it’s vulnerable to getting worse on account of local weather change. However an unlikely resolution has arrived within the type of CRISPR gene-editing know-how, which permits researchers to vary the pest’s genome in order that it might now not unfold the bacterium. Read the full story.
—Emma Foehringer Service provider
Busting three myths about supplies and renewable vitality
In terms of renewable vitality, there are specific myths which might be troublesome to shake. The uncooked supplies we have to battle local weather change are sometimes discovered on the heart of among the most pervasive untruths or misunderstandings.
Our local weather reporter Casey Crownhart dove into three of the largest myths linked to local weather change-combatting supplies and renewable energy—demonstrating simply how vital it’s to disregard the hype, and comply with the science. Read the full story.
Casey’s story is from The Spark, her weekly vitality and local weather e-newsletter. Sign up to obtain it in your inbox each Wednesday.
The must-reads
I’ve combed the web to seek out you right this moment’s most enjoyable/vital/scary/fascinating tales about know-how.
1 Keep in mind Amazon’s drone supply program?
It’s nonetheless struggling to take off. (The Information $)
2 These movies present how Iran violently suppresses protests
Safety forces are beating and opening fireplace on civilians. (WP $)
+ Hundreds of demonstrators proceed to rail in opposition to authorities, although. (WSJ $)
3 Whisper is ChatGPT’s quieter cousin
The accuracy of the transcription mannequin, additionally made by OpenAI, is near-perfect. (New Yorker $)
+ ChatGPT is launching a subscription tier for $20 a month. (Gizmodo)
+ Microsoft’s wasted no time integrating ChatGPT into Groups. (Reuters)
+ OpenAI is an actual breeding floor for AI expertise. (The Information $)
+ Individuals are already utilizing ChatGPT to create exercise plans. (MIT Technology Review)
4 The essential function satellites will play in area warfare 
They acquire information to disclose rivals’ places and weapons methods. (Wired $)
+ The best way to battle a battle in area (and get away with it) (MIT Technology Review)
5 Instagram’s founders have launched a AI-aggregated information app
They consider Artifact can bust the information echo chambers popularized by Twitter. (FT $)
6 We don’t absolutely know the way psychedelics can alter our brains
All of the extra cause to train warning earlier than you increase your thoughts. (The Atlantic $)
+ Thoughts-altering substances are being overhyped as surprise medication. (MIT Technology Review)
7 Are you able to really feel the metaverse?
Haptic tech is the subsequent step to creating immersive experiences extra life-like. (Economist $)
+ In the meantime, Meta’s metaverse labs are nonetheless hemorrhaging cash. (Insider $)
8 Overlook 3D-printers, it is a 3D-printing manufacturing unit
It’s all about scale, child. (Bloomberg $)
+ Meet the designers printing homes out of salt and clay. (MIT Technology Review)
9 Voice-dictated textual content messages are riddled with errors
Goof duck decoding them! (WSJ $)
10 TikTok’s ‘fortunate lady syndrome’ is simply one other time period for manifesting 
Gen Z has found the ability of constructive pondering. (Vox)
+ Tiktok’s ‘darkish psychology’ pattern sounds loads like gaslighting to me. (Vice)
Quote of the day
“Privateness has been extinguished. It’s now a zombie.”
—Shoshana Zuboff, professor emerita at Harvard Enterprise Faculty, highlights a similarity between western tech giants and China’s surveillance state in an interview with the Financial Times.
The massive story
How megacities could lead on the battle in opposition to local weather change
April 2021
In 2050, 2.5 billion extra individuals will stay in cities than do right this moment. Because the world grows extra urbanized, many cities have gotten extra populous whereas additionally making an attempt to cut back carbon emissions and blunt the impacts of local weather change.
Within the coming many years, cities might be engines of financial development. However they need to additionally play a key function in confronting local weather change. Learn the way among the world’s largest cities—known as megacities—are rising to this problem. Read the full story.
—Gabrielle Merite & Andre Vitorio
We are able to nonetheless have good issues
A spot for consolation, enjoyable and distraction in these bizarre occasions. (Acquired any concepts? Drop me a line or tweet ’em at me.)
+ Atlas has fallen—and I’m cackling on the blooper reel (thanks Will!)
+ Don’t fear if your house’s trying a bit untidy as of late, even the queen of unpolluted Marie Kondo is easing off on the dusting.
+ These exhibitions are effectively value trotting the globe for.
+ I’m determined to go to this breathtaking sea serpent sculpture on a French seashore.
+ This cat is a few type of well-hydrated genius.
