Smart TVs Are Collecting Your Data—and Using It Against You

A TV in a living room with an image of an eye on the screen, signifying that smart TVs are collecting data

Do you have a smart TV in your home? Did you know that smart TVs collect data on you? What can you do to protect yourself? Your smart TV isn’t just entertaining you—it’s watching you back, according to a recent report by a digital watchdog group that calls connected TVs a “privacy nightmare.” Smart TV and streaming companies are accelerating their surveillance capabilities, collecting increasingly extensive personal data about viewers, often without their knowledge or consent. Continue reading to learn why smart TVs are becoming privacy risks.

Geoffrey Hinton’s AI Warnings (The “Godfather” of AI)

Geoffrey Hinton, the "Godfather of deep learning" standing at a podium

What are Geoffrey Hinton’s AI concerns? Why is the “Godfather of AI” advocating for regulations? As machines grow smarter, artificial intelligence pioneers like Nobel laureate Geoffrey Hinton warn they could someday pursue their own goals at our expense. Although we’re reaping transformative benefits across many fields, they fear there’s a thin line between AI innovation and potential catastrophe for humans. Here’s what humans need to look out for and why regulations are so important.

How to Identify Your Core Values: 5 Ways to Live Authentically

A woman who knows how to identify her core values, wearing a hat and sunglasses outside

Do you struggle to find motivation? How does understanding your core values unlock sustainable motivation? Learning how to identify your core values is a fundamental step toward creating a fulfilling life, as explained by Thibaut Meurisse in Master Your Motivation. The process of discovering and aligning with your personal values serves as a compass for making decisions that genuinely resonate with your authentic self. Dive into this exploration of values-based living that will transform your approach to motivation, decision-making, and personal growth.

Mounting 23andMe Problems Point to an Uncertain Future

People watching downward-trending graph of a stock price illustrate problems with a DNA testing company

Is your genetic data truly secure with direct-to-consumer DNA testing companies? What happens to your DNA information when these companies face financial troubles or security breaches? 23andMe’s problems of late highlight the risks of entrusting sensitive genetic information to private companies. From data breaches affecting millions of customers to financial struggles threatening the company’s survival, the situation raises serious concerns about genetic privacy and security. Keep reading to learn about 23andMe’s recent problems and what they mean for the future of consumer genetic testing.

Weight Bias & Harassment: How Lindy West Fought Back

An image of a scale representing weight bias

Why is society fixated on policing bodies and appearance? What drives people to engage in online harassment targeting individuals based on their weight? Weight bias and appearance-based discrimination continue to plague both online spaces and real-world interactions, as author Lindy West illustrates in her memoir Shrill. The internet has become a breeding ground for harassment, where trolls target individuals based on their appearance. Continue reading to learn how West fought back against harmful narratives and reclaimed her dignity.

Why a Meritocracy Society Probably Doesn’t Exist

A smiling woman holding a trophy in a meritocracy society

What’s a meritocracy society? Is the world a fair and just place? Jeffrey Pfeffer believes that many people don’t seek out power (or actively avoid it) because they think that the world is a meritocracy, which means it’s a fair place. Therefore, they believe that if they work hard, follow the rules, and perhaps do a good deed from time to time, then they’ll be rewarded with safety and prosperity.  Find out why the world isn’t as fair as some people might think it is.

Do Animals Feel Pain? Here’s What Scientists Know (Ed Yong)

A frog on a lily pad illustrates the question, "Do animals feel pain?"

What happens in an animal’s body when it encounters something harmful? Do animals feel pain? How do different species process pain? Ed Yong’s book An Immense World explores the complex question of whether and how animals feel pain. From naked mole rats that don’t react to acid to fish that show signs of distress after injury, the animal kingdom presents a wide range of responses to potentially harmful stimuli. Keep reading to discover the surprising science behind how different creatures experience pain and what this means for our ethical treatment of animals.

Are Billionaires Ethical? Opinions From Both Sides

Mark Zuckerbers, founder and CEO of Meta

Are billionaires ethical or are they manipulating the system? How do the opinions about billionaires differ on the left and right? The United States has the most billionaires in the world, with Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg at the top. With their expanding wealth and visibility over the past few years, billionaires are coming under more scrutiny. Here’s a look at the growth of billionaires, their influence, and opinions about them from all sides.

Evolution and Morality: Daniel Dennett Explores Reciprocity

A man giving a sack of food to another man in an ancient village illustrates the link between evolution and morality

What drives our understanding of right and wrong? How did humans develop their moral systems? In Darwin’s Dangerous Idea, Daniel Dennett explores the connection between evolution and morality. He asserts that, from basic reciprocity in early human societies to complex moral frameworks, our ethical systems have evolved through cultural transmission and social learning. Keep reading to discover how simple acts of sharing and cooperation have shaped the moral principles we live by today.

Friedrich Nietzsche: Morality Needs an Overhaul

An old book in poor condition titled "Morality"

What drives our understanding of right and wrong? How do different societies develop their moral codes? In Beyond Good and Evil by Friedrich Nietzsche, morality is under the microscope. Nietzsche’s analysis explores two distinct types—master morality and herd morality—while examining how Christianity shaped Western ethical thinking. Keep reading to discover why Nietzsche believed Western society needed to move beyond traditional moral frameworks and create new values for the future.