SCIENCE Understanding the incredible odds of being born What are the odds of being born in a universe with 2 trillion galaxies? With the perfect conditions for life so rare, what are the odds of my existence on Earth? Considering the vast complexity of genetic variations-over 70 trillion possible combinations-how likely was I to be born? Such questions delve into the heart of what many consider the ultimate mystery: our very existence. The improbability of any one of us being here is so astronomical that it staggers the imagination. Yet, here we are, pondering over our unlikely presence ..read more

SCREENWRITING Navigating the present and future of storytelling Scene from the TV show “Invincible” In 1816, a young French physician named René Laennec invented the modern stethoscope while he was examining a female patient. At the time physicians typically listened to patients’ heartbeats by putting their ears directly on their chests. Of course, this was neither accurate, nor comfortable. So at one examination, Laennec — inspired by a children’s game — rolled up up a piece of paper and placed it against the patient’s chest. He was so impressed with the new method that he soon traded the pie ..read more

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE Prompts & techniques to brainstorm game show concepts Have you ever noticed that successful game shows are based on a small number of concepts that have been successful in the past? Think about it, every game show you’ve ever seen has one of these concepts (or a combination of them) in it: 1. Knowledge-Based Games: contestants answer trivia, solve puzzles or riddles, or participate in quiz-style competitions. Examples: Jeopardy! Who Wants to Be a Millionaire Wheel of Fortune 2. Physical Challenges: contestants must perform physical tasks, stun ..read more

BOOKS A new series tries to predict a very near future When it comes to artificial intelligence, we’re no longer in a “what if?” reality. We’re squarely in a “now what?” world. From books to financial markets, from healthcare to research, the age of artificial intelligence has arrived. We’re in for a ride, and it’s anything but smooth. What will the world look like as we share it with the genie we let out of its silicone bottle? How will AI evolve? Perhaps, even more important, how will we? Ray N. Kuili’s The Dawn series tries to answer these questions in the language people have al ..read more

TECHNOLOGY From Screenwriting To AI and Beyond The evolution of storytelling through technology Image by the author & Midjourney Cognitive science has revealed: our brains ‘think in stories’, creating multi-sensory narratives that form our personal perception of the world. This ‘internal’ storytelling is as old as humanity itself. Sharing a story with others, or ‘external storytelling,’ was primarily an oral tradition for about 300,000 years of human history. But then, about 40,000 years ago, visual storytelling emerged and rapidly evolved due to technological advancements ..read more

TECHNOLOGY There is no art without an artist Credit: Midjouney In the annals of art history, there have been many paradigm shifts that challenged the status quo and sparked intense debates about the nature and boundaries of art. The advent of photography in the 19th century, for instance, stirred a heated discourse about its legitimacy as an art form. Critics argued that photography, being a mechanical process, lacked the authenticity and emotional depth of traditional painting. Over time, however, photography carved out its niche, evolving into an accepted and respected medium of artisti ..read more

TV Eureka, Frazier, and more There are few things as mesmerizing as the glow of a television screen in a darkened room. It’s a portal to another world, a world where dreams come true, where heroes triumph, and where, against all odds, love conquers all. What could be more exhilarating than the thrill of watching two characters who couldn’t be more different fall in love? It’s a journey, a battle, a dance of two opposites interweaving, ultimately creating a compelling narrative that keeps us coming back for more. In this article we take a look at TV shows that have mastered this art, prov ..read more

TV What Made The Expanse the Best Sci-Fi Show of the Decade As the 2020s unfold, it’s clear that The Expanse has already left an indelible mark on the science fiction landscape, securing its place as one of the best sci-fi shows of the decade. The series, based on the novels by James S.A. Corey, has captured the hearts and minds of viewers with its gripping storytelling, richly detailed universe, and complex characters. In this retrospective, we’ll explore the key elements that have made The Expanse a standout television experience, from its commitment to scientific authenticity and poli ..read more

TECHNOLOGY From Spinning Jenny to chatting robots Credit: Midjourney The year was 1764, and on some unrecorded day, a humble weaver named James Hargreaves changed the course of history when he invented the Spinning Jenny in his modest home in Lancashire, England. This innovative machine dramatically increased the speed at which cotton could be spun into yarn, transforming the textile industry and becoming a driving force behind the Industrial Revolution. Before the Spinning Jenny, spinning was a laborious, time-consuming process typically performed by women working on a single spindle. Ha ..read more

MIND From self-reflection to quantum consciousness Credit: Midjourney The nature of consciousness has mystified and intrigued humanity for centuries. As we progress in our understanding of the physical world, the question of what it means to be conscious remains one of the most complex and challenging inquiries in modern science. Despite this challenge, many leading theorists have developed compelling explanations for the phenomenon of consciousness. These theories seek to answer questions about the origins of our inner lives, the relationship between the mind and the brain, and the seemingly ..read more