Amidst large ongoing social unrest in Iran, it is worth reflecting on the crucial role played by modern technology in shaping methods of resistance and popular outcry. In the last decade alone, we have witnessed a number of seminal protests in the Middle East and North Africa, Hong Kong, and South America, all largely shaped […]
There’s a major problem with the tools used to measure attention in research labs: they’re incredibly boring. Typically, a person will sit in front of a computer screen and wait for targets to appear, just like in the little demo below. In this case, the target is an arrow, and the participant responds by indicating […]
Although many science fiction stories have been successful at feeding us the idea that robots will have a higher level of thinking, there’s a good chance that may not be a potential future of technology. I know that seems crazy, especially given the rate that technology has advanced, but there are some signs that tell […]
The arrival of October marks a busy time for one of Canada’s most important community rituals, Halloween, and food is front and centre. Pumpkins are carved, gourds are used as decorations and of course candy is eagerly anticipated by young and old alike. Ask any child and they will regale you with stories about their […]
In a world where Li-ion batteries are powering our cellphone, laptops, power tools and electric cars, recycling the overwhelming amount of dead batteries threatening our landfills is surely important. However, Recycling is only but the third “R” and should be considered a last resort for when Reducing and Reusing have failed. Ideally, these batteries, which […]
The ‘attentional blink’ is a famous phenomenon within cognitive science. Researchers were able to generate a temporary blindness in their participants, where letters were being presented right in front of their eyes without them noticing. This effect helps us better understand how attention works and may prove useful in studying different disorders. What is the […]
What do you think when you hear the word hurricane? If you are like most people, you rapidly imagine tragedy and destruction scenarios. Historically, hurricanes have been associated with adverse events which we want to avoid. Even in some cultures, hurricanes have been seen as a divine punishment and a signal that gods were annoyed […]
“Complete your order! Only 3 more left in stock.” “50% off only till 5 pm today.” It’s the third episode of ‘exposing the simple nosy strategies that keep you glued to your phone.’ We will be looking at a strategy called ‘scarcity’. Scarcity is one of the most popular strategies used by e-commerce companies, such […]
This article was originally published on The Conversation Canada on September 28, 2022 You may be surprised to learn that the medication sildenafil — better known by its brand name Viagra — has other medical purposes aside from treating male erectile dysfunction. It can also be used to treat lung diseases that often have poor […]
Part 1 What is a world without walkers? It would be remiss for me to spend a year discussing zombies without at least mentioning The Walking Dead given its impact on the subgenre. It would be even more remiss for me to neglect to do so considering that The Walking Dead is responsible for my […]