Scientists Say Laser Device Can Make Lightning Strike Specific Targets

Plus, are 15-minute cities the future for urban planning? The Futurist uncovers unique and inspiring topics that feed your curiosity. Curated articles on technology, science, and culture delivered to your inbox. Not for you? Unsubscribe anytime below. /story [Weeknd Super Bowl Halftime Show | Mic]( [THE WEEKND HALFTIME SHOW SOUNDS BAFFLING ENOUGH TO WORK]( Has any artist ever kicked off their career as an anonymous R&B singer, almost singularly focused on coke and libido...and wound up at the Super Bowl Halftime Show just a decade later? No? When [The Weeknd]( performs at the Halftime Show next February, this won’t be his only uncharted territory. It’s a baffling career arc, but well-suited for the first halftime show performer to take the stage during a rapidly worsening pandemic. [Mic]( /food [Replicate Drool-Worthy Restaurant Meals With Sous Vide | Mashable]( [REPLICATE DROOL-WORTHY RESTAURANT MEALS WITH A SOUS VIDE ON SALE]( Thanks to at-home devices, now anyone who owns a large pot can replicate the fancy sous vide method from the comfort of their own kitchen. Check out the Yedi Infinity11 Sous Vide Kit: This kit packs all the gear you need to get started — plus, it won't take up a ton of space. [Mashable]( /ai ['Bot Battle' When Two AI Programs Go On A Date | Vice]( ['BOT BATTLE' SHOWS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN TWO AI PROGRAMS GO ON A DATE]( What happens when two AI programs go on a date? Well, apparently, a few stumbles, a lot of flattery, and one, “It is exciting that I get to kill people” comment. AI company Pandorabots, Inc. and Facebook AI have gone head-to-head in a “Bot Battle” for the ages. Streamed on Twitch, the two programs interacted with each other for three weeks straight, and viewers were able to vote on which company’s mascot they believe held conversation the best. [Vice]( /innovation [Wanna Build A Website? Wis Can Help | [Partner]]( [WANNA BUILD A WEBSITE? WIX CAN HELP YOU GET STARTED]( Contrary to popular belief, you don't actually have to be a super-coder to create your very own webpage. [Wix]( can get literally anyone up and running with its super-intuitive platform, so you can finally start that Game of Thrones theory site no one asked for. [Partner] /exterior [@romas_noreika on Instagram]( [@romas_noreika]( /explore [Th 15-Minute City | Bloomberg]( [THE 15-MINUTE CITY—NO CARS REQUIRED—IS URBAN PLANNING’S NEW UTOPIA]( From Paris to Portland, cities are attempting to give residents everything they need within a few minutes of their front doors. But can it work without leaving anyone out? [Bloomberg]( /futuristgiftguide [Gifts For The Techie - Wireless Charger | StackSocial]( [GIFTS FOR THE TECHIE: TURN ANY SURFACE INTO A WIRELESS CHARGER]( This genius little device sticks to the underside of any table, desk nightstand, and more and turns what was once a plain old surface into an invisible charger that can power up your wireless devices while cutting down on clutter. The tech-head in your life will thank you. [StackSocial]( /science [Laser Device Can Make Lightning Strike | Futurism]( [SCIENTISTS SAY LASER DEVICE CAN MAKE LIGHTNING STRIKE SPECIFIC TARGETS]( An international team of researchers says that small lasers could be used to guide lightning strikes — much like Thor’s legendary hammer Mjölnir. The team says it’s already tested the concept in labs using devices known as hollow lasers, which in effect create a pipe of light. These lasers can short circuit storm clouds and trigger lightning strikes by heating micro-particles in the air. [Futurism]( /posted [@onceuponajrny on Instagram]( [@onceuponajrny]( THE FUTURIST [Advertise]( [Talk to Us](mailto:letschat@getthefuturist.com) | [Shop]( | [Subscribe]( Powered by StackCommerce 21 market street venice, ca 90291 [unsubscribe](