"If you were an alien looking at our solar system and saw Mercury, you’d be a little discouraged."

Astronomers just drastically narrowed the search for alien life

Short List

Astronomers found out that a potentially-habitable exoplanet can't support an atmosphere, ruling it and similar worlds out in the search for alien life.

Astronomers Just Drastically Narrowed the Search for Alien Life

We can safely rule out an entire class of exoplanets.

“I think people would be shocked how fast they can move.”

Newt Gingrich proposes $2 billion prize to land on the Moon

Last One is a Rotten Egg

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich is proposing to award a $2 billion prize to the first private space company to land Americans on the Moon.

Newt Gingrich Proposes $2 Billion Prize to Land on the Moon

NASA skeptics want to put taxpayer money behind Musk, Bezos, and company — not NASA.

Who’s a ‘Good Boy?’ Astro, FAU’s Smart Robodog That’s Who

What has big ambitions and a cold dead stare?

This Boston Dynamics-esque bot has horrifying, human-like eyes

Looking Ruff

“Astro” the robodog promises many things, but… its face… Researchers from Florida Atlantic University (FAU) set out with an ambitious task, to build a robodog which combined all the best parts of Siri, 3D-printing, and robots like Boston Dynamics SpotMini. Unfortunately, Astro’s engineers added an extra component to the bot, horrible […]

This Boston Dynamics-Esque Bot Has Horrifying, Human-Like Eyes

It looks like it's wearing the eyes of its last victim.

The company's timing really couldn't be worse.

Amazon claims Rekognition can now detect fear

Fear Factor

Amazon claims its Rekognition software can now detect fear on a person's face, as well as provide a better estimate of their age.

Amazon Claims Rekognition Can Now Detect Fear

The facial recognition tech has also gotten better at estimating ages, Amazon says.

The GoRelax acupressure mat is the stress reliever you've been waiting for.

This powerful acupressure mat obliterates stress in just 15 minutes a day

Brands We Love

A short daily massage with the innovative GoRelax acupressure mat can provide deep relaxation, increased blood circulation, and reduced tension.

This Powerful Acupressure Mat Obliterates Stress in Just 15 Minutes a Day

Say hello to the specially-engineered GoRelax stress-busting massage mat.  

It features the best of Futurism Cartoons, along with 80 new images.

Futurism's new 'Cartoons From Tomorrow' book is a 'wry and often ingenious' look at our high-tech world

The new Cartoons from Tomorrow book from Futurism features the best of Futurism Cartoons along with 80 all new satirical comics.

Futurism’s New ‘Cartoons From Tomorrow’ Book Is a ‘Wry and Often Ingenious’ Look at Our High-Tech World

Pre-order your copy today.

And each one contains 12 million galaxies.

Scientists found a way to create millions of virtual universes

Universe Machine

Using a supercomputer, scientists simulated 8 million virtual universes — and discovered something new about galactic evolution in the process.

Scientists Found a Way to Create Millions of Virtual Universes

Their study contradicts what we thought we knew about galactic evolution.

The robots will be on duty 24/7, say officials.

China deploys its first robot traffic police

Robo Cops

A Chinese city has deployed police robots to help human officers deal with traffic problems, marking another way the nation is using tech to maintain order.

China Deploys Its First Robot Traffic Police

The bots are helping human officers maintain order on Chinese roads.

Russia is not the only nation interested in constructing floating nuclear power plants.

Russia is floating a nuclear power plant across the Arctic

Floating Chernobyl

Russia's massive floating nuclear power plant is destined to make its way across the Arctic Ocean to supply electricity to a remote eastern region.

Russia Is Floating a Nuclear Power Plant Across the Arctic

Opponents call it a "Chernobyl on ice" and "nuclear Titanic."

Riding in the shuttles felt unnerving but not unsafe.

We took a ride on NYC's first self-driving shuttle

Shuttle Butt

New York City is now home to a fleet of self-driving shuttles. Futurism decided to kick the tires and test them out when they launched.

We Took a Ride on NYC’s First Self-Driving Shuttle

New York City just got its first autonomous vehicles. Futurism was on the scene.

Yeah, they're a problem — but you don't need an assault weapon to solve it.

Assault rifles won't solve your feral hog problem, say scientists

Pig Heaven

Researchers published a study about the feral hog problem that is now a gun-control meme. They say assault rifles will do little to fight feral hogs.

Scientists Say Assault Rifles Won't Solve The Feral Hog Problem | Futurism

The timing of this new feral hog study really couldn’t be any better.

Assault Rifles Won’t Solve Your Feral Hog Problem, Say Scientists

Introducing The Langogo, the advanced AI pocket translator.

This incredible real-time voice language translator is also a global WIFI hotspot

The Langogo AI Pocket Language Translator is the realtime, voice translator that instandly translates 105 differnt languages and acts as a wifi hotspot.

This Incredible Real-Time Voice Language Translator Is Also a Global WIFI Hotspot

The Langogo uses advanced AI to tear down barriers between 105 languages and counting.

Experts say now is the time to invest in crypto, and eToro makes it easy

eToro is a simple, easy to use crypto trading platform that makes it easy to trade cyrptocurencies such as Bitcoin and others.

Experts Say Now Is the Time to Invest in Crypto, and eToro Makes It Easy

eToro's crypto trading platform will walk you through the process.

They depict everything from amputated toes to erectile disfunction.

FDA proposes grotesque new warning images for cigarette packs

Neoscope

The FDA has proposed 13 new cigarette warnings, each featuring a statement on the health impacts of smoking along with a color image.

FDA Proposes Grotesque New Warning Images for Cigarette Packs

READ MORE: <a href="https://arstechnica.com/science/2019/08/feet-missing-toes-bloody-urine-and-giant-tumors-may-adorn-cigarette-ads/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Check out the gory, cringy images the FDA wants to put on cigarettes</a> [Ars Technica]

More on cigarettes: <a href="https://futurism.com/the-byte/gene-edited-less-addictive-tobacco-smoking" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gene-Edited, Less Addictive Tobacco Could Help You Quit Smoking</a>

Cancer

And Big Tobacco is already fighting back against them.

They're cheap, come in cool flavors, and can leave you gasping for breath.

Vaping black-market cannabis oil is putting people into comas

Illegal Woes

Vaping cannabis oil sold under the brand name Dank Vapes left a man with severe heart and lung damage, according to his brother.

Vaping Black-Market Cannabis Oil Is Putting People Into Comas

READ MORE: <a href="https://www.inverse.com/article/58581-dank-vapes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dank Vapes Is the &#8220;Biggest Conspiracy&#8221; in Pot That Can Put You in a Coma</a> [Inverse]

More on vaping: <a href="https://futurism.com/neoscope/health-vaping-severe-respiratory-illnesses" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Health Officials Blame Vaping for &#8220;Severe Respiratory Illnesses&#8221;</a>

Organic Chemistry

Some of these vape cartridges contain a chemical Nazis used in gas chambers. Seriously.

They concluded from early stages of their trial that the therapy is not only safe, it appears to be quite effective as well.

Study: MDMA appears to be an effective treatment for alcoholism

Going Dry

According to researchers from Imperial College London, the party drug MDMA could be an effective treatment for alcohol addiction.

Study: MDMA Appears to Be an Effective Treatment for Alcoholism

READ MORE: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/aug/19/mdma-treatment-alcoholism-relapse-study">MDMA treatment for alcoholism could reduce relapse, study suggests</a> [The Guardian]

More on MDMA: <a href="https://futurism.com/the-byte/mdma-brain-puberty">MDMA Can “Reopen” a Part of the Brain That Closes After Puberty</a>

Neuroscience/Brain Science

"It’s the perfect drug for trauma-focused psychotherapy.”

"If this works as well as it seems to, we need to do this now."

We have a cure for the deadliest form of tuberculosis

New Cure

Scientists found a less intensive, more effective cure against the most dangerous strain of tuberculosis, which infects 10 million every year.

We Have a Cure for the Deadliest Form of Tuberculosis

READ MORE: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/14/health/tuberculosis-xdr-tb-cure.html">Scientists Discover New Cure for the Deadliest Strain of Tuberculosis</a> [The New York Times]

More on tuberculosis: <a href="https://futurism.com/neoscope/we-could-soon-have-a-cure-for-every-form-of-tuberculosis">We Could Soon Have a Cure for Every Form of Tuberculosis</a>

Rx/Medicines

Patients need to take five pills every day for six months.

[ICCV 2019] FSGAN: Subject Agnostic Face Swapping and Reenactment

New system makes it troublingly easy to create deepfakes

Consumer-Friendly Nightmares

A new system makes it easier than ever for people to generate believable deepfakes. The AI tool doesn't require training and can swap faces in real-time.

New System Makes It Troublingly Easy to Create Deepfakes

FSGAN can swap faces in real-time, no training required.

The closest planned flyby will have the spacecraft approach Europa to an altitude of just 16 miles.

NASA is sending a probe to Jupiter's icy moon to look for life

Icy Moon Flyby

NASA has announced it's completing the final designs and planning for constructing and testing a spacecraft that will visit Jupiter's icy moon Europa.

NASA is Sending a Probe to Jupiter’s Icy Moon to Look for Life

Europa's ocean of salty water is one of the most promising places in the solar system to look for life.

"Our goal is not to build cars. It's to build the world's most experienced driver. So that is our core business."

Waymo: building cars is a "distraction" from self-driving tech

Technological Niche

Waymo confirmed that it's not interested in building its own self-driving cars. It's focused on developing the software to use in other companies' vehicles.

Waymo: Building Cars is a “Distraction” From Self-Driving Tech

The Google spinoff company is more focused on the software.

It'll be just as easy to have sex in the new facilities as the old.

Town denies planning to install high-tech anti-sex toilets

Carry On

The Porthcawl Town Council is denying that it planned to build high-tech anti-sex toilets, saying its "enthusiasm and intentions" were misinterpreted.

Town Denies Planning to Install High-Tech Anti-Sex Toilets

It claims the public misinterpreted its "enthusiasm and intentions."

"Police use of facial recognition software is the latest example of Orwellian technology that violates our privacy and civil liberties under the guise of public safety and it must stop."

Bernie Sanders vows to ban police from using facial recognition

Fixed System

Bernie Sanders just announced that he would ban police from using facial recognition tech if he wins in 2020 as part of a broader police reform.

Bernie Sanders Vows to Ban Police From Using Facial Recognition

It's part of his broader proposals for police reform.

"The Apophis close approach in 2029 will be an incredible opportunity for science."

Elon Musk: "A big rock will hit Earth eventually"

Colossal God of Chaos

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk took to Twitter yesterday to warn us all that "a big rock will hit Earth eventually and we currently have no defense."

Short List

Astronomers Just Drastically Narrowed the Search for Alien Life

We can safely rule out an entire class of exoplanets.

The Latest

Last One is a Rotten Egg

Newt Gingrich Proposes $2 Billion Prize to Land on the Moon

Looking Ruff

This Boston Dynamics-Esque Bot Has Horrifying, Human-Like Eyes

Fear Factor

Amazon Claims Rekognition Can Now Detect Fear

Brands We Love

This Powerful Acupressure Mat Obliterates Stress in Just 15 Minutes a Day

Brands We Love

Futurism’s New ‘Cartoons From Tomorrow’ Book Is a ‘Wry and Often Ingenious’ Look at Our High-Tech World

Universe Machine

Scientists Found a Way to Create Millions of Virtual Universes

Robo Cops

China Deploys Its First Robot Traffic Police

Floating Chernobyl

Russia Is Floating a Nuclear Power Plant Across the Arctic

Shuttle Butt

We Took a Ride on NYC’s First Self-Driving Shuttle

Pig Heaven

Assault Rifles Won’t Solve Your Feral Hog Problem, Say Scientists

Brands We Love

This Incredible Real-Time Voice Language Translator Is Also a Global WIFI Hotspot

Brands We Love

Experts Say Now Is the Time to Invest in Crypto, and eToro Makes It Easy

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Our Top Stories

Fixed System

Bernie Sanders Vows to Ban Police From Using Facial Recognition

Illegal Woes

Vaping Black-Market Cannabis Oil Is Putting People Into Comas

Colossal God of Chaos

Elon Musk: “A Big Rock Will Hit Earth Eventually”