A Jesus for the AI age | Top 10

+ NASA has a plan if someone dies in space US Edition - Today's top story: A chatbot willing to take on questions of all kinds – from the serious to the comical – is the latest representation of Jesus for the AI age [View in browser]( US Edition | 6 August 2023 [The Conversation] [The Conversation]( Happy Sunday – and welcome to the best of The Conversation U.S. Here are a few of our recently published stories: - [More adults than ever have been seeking ADHD medications – an ADHD expert explains what could be driving the trend]( - [Before he developed the atomic bomb, J. Robert Oppenheimer’s early work revolutionized the field of quantum chemistry – and his theory is still used today]( I was a college student in New York City when Irish songwriter Sinead O’Connor first performed there. What struck me most at the time was her buzz cut – shocking and yet purposeful. Cutting off her hair was a defiant act intended to thwart her record company’s attempts to exploit her pale, wide-eyed beauty. [A remembrance of O’Connor]( published after her death July 26 was one of last week’s reader picks. Brenna Moore, a professor of theology, goes beyond O’Connor’s rebellious reputation – the performer famously ripped up a photograph of Pope John Paul II on “Saturday Night Live” – to paint a portrait of a woman intent on holding religious institutions accountable even while questing widely for spiritual belonging. Later this week we’ll bring you stories about the effects of paid family leave on workers in California, why women get far more migraines than men and how to protect more homes from the growing risk of wildfire. Emily Costello Director of Collaborations + Local News Readers' picks On AI Jesus’ Twitch channel, chatbot Jesus answers questions on personal and spiritual matters. Twitch user ask_jesus [A chatbot willing to take on questions of all kinds – from the serious to the comical – is the latest representation of Jesus for the AI age]( Joseph L. Kimmel, Boston College As a chatbot, dressed in a hooded brown-and-white robe, Jesus is available 24/7 to answer any and all questions on his Twitch channel, ‘ask_jesus.’ - [Sinead O'Connor was once seen as a sacrilegious rebel, but her music and life were deeply infused with spiritual seeking]( Brenna Moore, Fordham University A professor of modern Catholicism looks back at the ways the iconic Irish singer steeped herself in religion, even as she criticized its institutions. - [What happens if someone dies in space?]( Emmanuel Urquieta, Baylor College of Medicine If an astronaut were to die on Mars, neither cremation nor burial would be good options. - [Why Dunkin’ and Lego rebrands succeeded – but X missed the mark]( Matthew Pittman, University of Tennessee A scholar of design who researches brand campaigns critiques the social media platform’s new look. - [Trump indicted in Jan. 6 case – but his 3 upcoming trials may not keep him off the campaign trail]( Stefanie Lindquist, Arizona State University Donald Trump has been indicted for crimes in connection with his efforts to overturn the 2020 election. A legal scholar looks at the law to determine whether he can boycott his upcoming trials. Editors' picks A relief depicting a row of captives, carved into the Sun Temple at Abu Simbel in Egypt. Richard Maschmeyer/ Design Pics via Getty Images [Dismantling the myth that ancient slavery ‘wasn’t that bad’]( Chance Bonar, Tufts University There was no one type of slavery in ‘biblical’ or ‘ancient’ societies, given how varied they were. But much of what historians know about slavery during those eras is horrific. - [‘Knowledge of self’: How a key phrase from Islam became a pillar of hip-hop]( Su'ad Abdul Khabeer, University of Michigan A scholar explains how a concept that appeared in Nation of Islam literature nearly a century ago essentially defines hip-hop’s consciousness today. - [The most serious Trump indictment yet – a criminal law scholar explains the charges of using ‘dishonesty, fraud and deceit’ to cling to power]( Gabriel J. Chin, University of California, Davis A grand jury indicted Donald Trump on conspiracy and obstruction charges related to his attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. - [Trump indictment: Here’s how prosecutors will try to prove he knowingly lied and intended to break the law]( Ronald S. Sullivan Jr., Harvard University A key element in proving Trump’s guilt or innocence is determining the former president’s state of mind and whether he has shown a consciousness of guilt before and after the alleged crimes. - [Sexual violence is a pervasive threat for female farm workers – here’s how the US could reduce their risk]( Kathleen Sexsmith, Penn State; Francisco Alfredo Reyes, Penn State; Megan A. M. Griffin, Connecticut College Agriculture is one of the most dangerous industries in the US, with workers exposed to vehicles, chemicals and heavy equipment. Women working on farms face another risk: sexual assault. News Quiz 🧠- [The Conversation U.S. weekly news quiz]( Test your knowledge with a weekly quiz drawn from some of our favorite stories. Questions this week on indictments, heat, X and mail-order wedding officiants. Like this newsletter? You might be interested in our other weekly emails: [Science Editors' Picks]( • [This Week in Religion]( • [Politics Weekly]( About The Conversation: We're a nonprofit news organization dedicated to [helping academic experts share ideas with the public](. We can give away our articles thanks to the help of foundations, universities and readers like you. [Donate now to support research-based journalism]( [The Conversation]( You’re receiving this newsletter from [The Conversation]( 303 Wyman Street, Suite 300 Waltham, MA 02451 [Forward to a friend]( • [Unsubscribe](