The Context is an ongoing weekly Patreon series that gives a deeper understanding of the implications of current events, and technologies shaping the world.
What is the cosmic origin of the elements in the human body? We know we are made of stars. But what kind of stars? You are made of elements that have been forged in exploding massive stars, in slowly dying low-mass stars, but also exploding white dwarfs, and merging neutron stars. On top of all […]
Our Cosmic Origins Read More »
Data visualization improves our ability to tell powerful stories about our understanding of the world. Modern tools become platforms for dynamic exploration, allowing anybody to ask novel questions. The best, like Gapminder or Our World In Data, support a strong argument of how fundamentally the human condition has improved worldwide, and effectively counter the daily
Data Visualization Read More »
It has been decided only by a slim majority of the voters, but the fact that Brexit can happen peacefully, within the framework of the EU’s agreements, is itself a triumph. Nation States are under the simultaneous forces of amalgamation from above, and of decentralization from below. They are resisting, but can’t efficiently resort to
Triumph and Tragedy of Brexit Read More »
The data we create in our activities, online and offline, constitutes a digital wealth, which we own and which we must preserve. Backing up this data is essential, and being able to use it after restoring it. Online services are now legally obliged to allow you to download your data, and many, like Facebook, Google,
Backup and Restore Read More »
I recently visited the country of Andorra, which is a microstate between Spain and France. Through its thousand years history of being independent, Andorra has learned how to navigate complex and delicate situations. Fifty years ago it greatly increased its population and wealth, through finance commerce and tourism. Today it must face the challenge of
Just like organisms preserve their identity and attack the other, organizations have an immune system as well. Especially successful ones, which can devote even more resources to confirm that what they do is right. But in rapidly changing times, when uncertainty rules, this can prevent necessary experiments that discover what will define success in the
Organizational Immune Reactions Read More »
Social networks are connecting over two billion people, soon hopefully all eight billion, and have changed the way we interact. We like to complain about them, but our positions are contradictory. We want connection limits to be lifted, but pretend that all the connections should be meaningful. Algorithmic newsfeeds appear arbitrary to us, but we
Social Network Paradoxes Read More »
Traveling to foreign countries, to experience their language and culture, the different ways of living, is accessible to an increasing number of people. My daughter Giordana is moving to Seoul, and I am with her to help her in the first steps along the road. Her adventures will be fascinating, she will make a lot
Adventures in Seoul Read More »
You are a transhuman. The very definition of the human condition is the necessity to adapt to change. In our current times the pace of change has accelerated, and technology is transforming our world, is transforming us ever more radically. If we didn’t change with technology, we would not survive. From cooking food with fire,
When I started recording and airing The Context a few months ago, I didn’t very much know how the process would work. Yes, my team would help in the process, but it would not be clear who would do what exactly, and when. It took a lot of episodes, and persistence, to learn the steps,
