Helping humans of the far-off future

Monkeypox vaccine explainer; surprising mosquito news [View this email online]( [NPR]( Goats and Soda editor's note Matt Crockett As if we don't have enough to worry about in our pandemic-plagued, climate-changed world -- now philosopher William MacAskill wants us to consider how the things we do in 2022 will impact humans living trillions of years from now. In his new book, What We Owe the Future, he talks about what he calls ["longtermism" -- our moral responsibility to protect the future of humanity](. And yes, there is a lot for us to worry about -- from Artificial Intelligence gone rogue to biowarfare. MacAskill also raises the possibility that our far future ancestors might end up seeking a haven on another planet if and when the sun explodes. But his ultimate message is one of hope: inspiring others "to get out of their seats and use their time and money to make the world a better place." [Read the interview with this thought-provoking philosopher here.]( Marc Silver Editor, Goats and Soda in the news LWA/Getty Images [Mosquitoes surprise researcher with their 'weird" sense of smell]( That's how neurologist Meg Younger describes her team's findings about how skeeters hone in on human aroma. The new insights could lead to better ways to keep us bite- and disease-free. [There's a bit of good news about monkeypox. Is it because of the vaccine?]( It's the same vaccine used against smallpox. Here's how it works -- and whether researchers think it's playing a role in the slowdown of the current outbreak. [Is there enough monkeypox vaccine to go around? Maybe yes, more likely no]( Only one company makes the most commonly used monkeypox vaccine. Supply is limited in wealthy nations like the U.S. Less well-off nations, like Nigeria, where the outbreak began, have no vaccines at all. [How the U.S. case might tie into the global upswing in polio]( Countries in Africa, the Middle East and parts of Asia are counting more cases of vaccine-derived polio. Now there's a likely U.S. case. Researchers are looking for ways to stop it. personal essay David Levenson/Getty Images [My brother made it in Lagos — and taught me lessons about my life in London]( The author Chibundu Onuzo reflects on her older brother's path to success after leaving the U.K. for their native Nigeria — and wonders whether she should consider joining him. baby talk Sarah Waiswa/@EverydayAfrica [Scholars confirm what itsy bitsy babies around the world already know]( Studies have long shown that Western parents speak a singsongy high-pitched language to babies. Now researchers have gone to the Amazon, to the Hadza people and more to see if it's a global thing. --------------------------------------------------------------- Newsletter continues after sponsor message --------------------------------------------------------------- links we like - The New Yorker reports on["Africa's Cold Rush and the Promise of Refrigeration."]( - Ethiopia's government is blocking access to money sent from relatives abroad, reportedly "[pushing women and girls into sex work]( as hunger rises. The Guardian has the story. - [Yellow crazy ants]( are causing woes for Indian farmers. They've even attacked goats! The BBC reports. - The nine members of [Korea's music group ADG7]( brought their 5-foot-long string instruments to an NPR Tiny Desk concert, "mixing shamanistic ritual sounds with Korean folk songs." --------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- Stream your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to find your local station stream. [Find a Station]( What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: [goatsandsoda@npr.org](mailto:goatsandsoda@npr.org?subject=Newsletter%20Feedback) Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can [sign up here](. Looking for more great content? [Check out all of our newsletter offerings]( — including Health, Daily News, Code Switch and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Goats and Soda emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 [Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy Policy]( [NPR logo]