Howdy, and welcome to the inaugural installment of Future Tense’s newsletter relaunch!
If writing for Future Tense has taught me one thing, it’s that a truly future-proofed life is impossible. But that doesn’t mean you can’t be prepared. This week, Jason Lloyd made a case for freezing your credit before your card gets stolen or your account gets hacked. If you really want to keep cybersecurity threats at bay, though, you should hire some hackers of your own—especially if you’re the U.S. government.
Here are some of the other issues and stories that had us buzzing like drones in California in the past week:
- Neurotechnology—DARPA-sponsored researchers demonstrated a system that allows paralyzed patients to feel through robotic limbs that they control with their minds alone.
- Social Media—Forget what you’ve heard: Facebook isn’t actually building a dislike button, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t up to something.
- Apple—The tech behemoth announced a bunch of new(-ish) products, but its most exciting new feature may be HIPAA compliance.
- Privacy and Surveillance—Congress might finally update an ancient law that governs how law enforcement can snoop on your email. Mike Godwin (whom you may know from “Godwin’s law”) explains how Congress can get it right this time.
- Emojis—Pope Francis—who features in an array of “popemojis”—would probably agree that there’s something seriously wrong with the new middle finger emoji. (It just might not be what you think.)
Slatepitchily yours,
Jacob Brogan
For Future Tense