The top ten most-read Futurism stories of 2019

Recap

Here are our most read stories from 2019 — along with our best guesses about what our popular science writing might mean for the future.

The Top Ten Most-Read Futurism Stories of 2019

These are the 2019 stories we (along with the rest of the world) couldn't look away from. Read 'em and weep.

These reports aren't the first signs that Tesla has had trouble with drugs.

Police reports: Meth, heroin, cocaine found at Tesla factory

Methla

The reports, obtained from police in Nevada, describe an environment in which Tesla workers repeatedly left meth, heroin and other drugs out in the open.

Police Reports: Meth, Heroin, Cocaine Found at Tesla Factory

Reports describe an environment in which workers repeatedly left drugs out in the open.

Behold this gigantic, fully functional AirPod

Pod People

We couldn't help but admire this big, fully functional, hammer-sized Bluetooth AirPod built by handy Redditor Master_Aar17. Seriously, just look at it.

Behold This Gigantic, Fully Functional AirPod

"Sadly I can't sell it because Apple would get pissed."

Students demand MIT fire prof who visited Epstein in prison

MIT Meltdown

Now, Motherboard reports, MIT students are calling for the termination of a third academic associated with Epstein — this one even closer to the financier.

Students Demand MIT Fire Prof Who Visited Epstein in Prison

On the first day of a quantum computing course, the professor allegedly launched into a "monologue" about his relationship with the famous sex criminal.

Watch astronaut Jessica Meir tell Trump he's wrong, from space

[Checks Notes]

When Donald Trump confused the first all-female ISS spacewalk for the first female spacewalk, astronaut Jessica Meir was quick to correct him.

Watch Astronaut Jessica Meir Tell Trump He’s Wrong, From Space

During a call with the Space Station, Trump said something that wasn't true — and NASA astronaut Jessica Meir was quick to correct him.

The bottom line, he says: more research is necessary.

Researcher warns that 5G might actually cause cancer after all

Nothing but a 5G Thang

Public health researcher Joel Moskowitz argues that we don't yet understand the risks of 5G, such as causing cancer, and that more research is necessary.

Researcher Warns That 5G Might Actually Cause Cancer After All

READ MORE: <a href="https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/we-have-no-reason-to-believe-5g-is-safe/">We Have No Reason to Believe 5G Is Safe</a> [Scientific American]

More on cell phones: <a href="https://futurism.com/the-byte/cell-phone-cancer-rats">Your Cell Phone Could Cause Cancer — Under Very Specific Conditions</a>

Cancer

"Meanwhile, we are seeing increases in certain types of head and neck tumors."

The company confirmed to CNBC that it's "aware of the case of S10's malfunctioning fingerprint recognition and will soon issue a software patch."

Oops: Samsung admits anyone's thumbprint can unlock its new phone

Dumb Hack

Tech giant Samsung has admitted that any thumbprint can unlock its Galaxy S10 phone — a flabbergasting security misstep for a leading iPhone competitor.

Oops: Samsung Admits Anyone’s Thumbprint Can Unlock Its New Phone

When the Galaxy S10 launched earlier this year, Samsung called the fingerprint authentication system "revolutionary."

"The project brings together the best of the Church’s spiritual tradition and the latest advances of the technological world."

Catholic church launches $109 Bluetooth "Click to Pray" gadget

Prayer Hands Emoji

The Catholic Church has a new idea to promote religion in the age of smartphones: a $109 smart rosary bracelet that connects to an app.

Catholic Church Launches $109 Bluetooth “Click to Pray” Gadget

It comes in a box decorated to look like a Bible.

"We know for sure it is not a plant but we don’t really [know] if it’s an animal or a fungus."

Paris zoo unveils bizarre "blob" that can learn with no brain

Blob Dole

This bizarre organism can learn without a brain, digest food without a mouth or stomach, and rapidly heal itself after being chopped in half.

Paris Zoo Unveils Bizarre “Blob” That Can Learn With No Brain

It can move on its own, solve problems, and quickly heal if chopped completely in half.

There may be "something big missing from our understanding of the dynamics of the cosmic expansion."

This star appears to be older than the universe

Old Space Road

A new All About Space story focuses on HD 140283, an ancient star that research indicates is older than the universe itself.

/ Author

Jon Christian