The Bulldozer: From Racist Violence to Modern Warfare

2025-03-10
The Bulldozer: From Racist Violence to Modern Warfare

This article traces the history of the bulldozer, from its late 19th-century origins as a symbol of racist violence to its 20th-century role in reshaping the American landscape and its current complex involvement in global conflicts and political repression. It explores the responsibilities of bulldozer manufacturers in the face of their machines being used for human rights abuses and how technological advancements have complicated this issue.

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Hacking the Clock: How Scientists Are Reviving Ancient Forests

2025-03-10
Hacking the Clock:  How Scientists Are Reviving Ancient Forests

Britain faces a biodiversity crisis, with the decline of ancient oak trees threatening countless species. This article explores how scientists are using technology—from laser scanning and microbial injections to artificial wounding—to accelerate the development of features in young trees that mimic the habitats found in centuries-old giants. This 'veteranization' process, while seemingly destructive, speeds up the natural creation of hollows and decay crucial for supporting diverse ecosystems, bridging the centuries-long gap between young and ancient trees, and offering hope for endangered species.

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Tech

Do Plants Have Intelligence? A Revolution in Understanding Life's Cognition

2025-02-26
Do Plants Have Intelligence? A Revolution in Understanding Life's Cognition

An ancient olive tree at the Eden Project bears witness to humanity's evolving understanding of 'intelligence.' From Darwin's initial explorations of plant intelligence to recent discoveries of intelligence in plants, fungi, bacteria, and even cells, science is undergoing a cognitive revolution. This article delves into the challenges of defining 'intelligence' and explores the possibility of reinterpreting cognition from a biological perspective, emphasizing the importance of collective intelligence and the necessity of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature. Research suggests that electrical signals play a far more significant role in diverse organisms than previously imagined, offering a new perspective on building a more sustainable future.

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Uzbekistan's Vanishing Sea and Eternal Flames: A Journey Through Life and Death

2025-01-30
Uzbekistan's Vanishing Sea and Eternal Flames: A Journey Through Life and Death

This article recounts the author's journey through Uzbekistan, exploring the remnants of the Aral Sea, desiccated by Soviet cotton farming, alongside historical sites like the Mizdakhan necropolis and Chilpik Kala. The journey interweaves ancient ruins with modern ecological disaster, showcasing the resilience of life in extreme environments and the destructive impact of human actions on the environment. From the vanishing Aral Sea to eternally burning gas craters, from ancient Zoroastrian sites to modern cemeteries, the author blends history, culture, ecological catastrophe, and human tenacity into a poignant and hopeful narrative.

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