Les conséquences d’Internet sur la mémoire humaine
Une étude parue dans la très sérieuse revue scientifique Science, démontre les effets étranges des ordinateurs et notamment d’Internet sur la mémoire humaine.
Les scientifiques à l’origine de cette étude, dirigés par Betsy Sparrow, professeur assistante de psychologie à l’Université de Columbia, se sont intéressés à la question suivante : les gens se souviennent-ils mieux d’une information qui peut facilement être cherché sur Internet à la manière d’étudiants qui se souviennent plus facilement d’informations sur laquelle ils savent qu’il va y avoir une interro ? Le New York Times analyse les...
July 18, 1876: Royal Commissioners Wrinkle Their Noses
1876: The British government appoints a Royal Commission on Noxious Vapours to look into the growing problem of industrial air pollution. Its report two years later would bring better regulation but warn about impeding economic growth.
England had been trying to do something about air quality for centuries. King Edward I in 1306 prohibited burning sea coal in London, because of all the smoke it caused. By act of Parliament, anyone who sold and burned the outlawed coal could be punished by torture or hanging. Richard II and Henry V issued further regulations and restrictions in the following...
Hands-On: Spotify's App Sounds Damn Good on Android

Spotify's Android app lets premium users listen to music on their phones, both online and off. Photo courtesy of Spotify
Previously available only in Europe, the music service launched Thursday in the United States to much applause. On the service’s desktop client, you’re able to listen to any of up to 15 million hosted tracks, on demand, absolutely free.
But the real gem isn’t found on the desktop app: It’s on your phone.
Spotify’s U.S. release arrives with both Android and iOS apps, which allow you to stream music wirelessly to your s...