
Google's Go victory shows AI thinking can be unpredictable, and that's a concern
Mar 18, 2016 02:27 am UTC| Insights & Views Technology
Humans have been taking a beating from computers lately. The 4-1 defeat of Go grandmaster Lee Se-Dol by Googles AlphaGo artificial intelligence (AI) is only the latest in a string of pursuits in which technology has...

Will cheap gas at the pump stall progress on car emissions?
Mar 18, 2016 00:12 am UTC| Insights & Views Nature
Retail gasoline prices are now as low as they were in the roaring 90s. The 1990s, that is, when the energy crisis of the 1970s had faded from American consumers memories, the economy was strong and the market share of...
If we can't prove the internet makes children unhappy, we shouldn't lay the blame at its door
Mar 17, 2016 23:33 pm UTC| Insights & Views Technology
Children and youngsters spend more and more time online (as do we all), often alone or at least only in touch with others remotely through the internet. This poses various questions for parents concerned about what their...
Why a drop in unemployment doesn't add up – literally
Mar 17, 2016 23:18 pm UTC| Insights & Views Economy
Unemployment has decreased, according to the latest figures. Here is a question: if the unemployment rate drops, is everyone happy? Suppose that, in a very small country, 380 people are either working or would like to...

How LSE-Deutsche Börse 'merger of equals' could run into trouble
Mar 17, 2016 23:16 pm UTC| Insights & Views
Stock exchange boards in Frankfurt and London have announced a 30 billion merger of equals. Deutsche Brse shareholders will own 54% of the new holding company with the London Stock Exchange (LSE), having paid a premium for...

Anomalisa: why animation is great for adults
Mar 17, 2016 23:09 pm UTC| Insights & Views Entertainment
Although the technique of stop-motion animation is widely used to craft strange worlds, such as those of Adam Elliots claymations, or Daisy Jacobs BAFTA-winning short The Bigger Picture (2014), it tends to be associated...
What are better, public or private hospitals?
Mar 17, 2016 23:03 pm UTC| Insights & Views Health
Around half of Australians have private health insurance. So if they need to go to hospital, they may have the option of going public or private. Although some people try to research their options extensively, its a...