This Week's Essential Longreads: From Metallic Cures to Robotic Futures

13 hours ago7 min read2 comments

This week's longform journalism selection delivers a powerful lineup of stories that probe the edges of science, technology, and culture. First, we delve into 'metal medicine,' where elements like lithium and gadolinium are being repurposed from industrial uses into potential treatments for neurological disorders and cancer, bridging the gap between ancient alchemy and cutting-edge biomedical science.Next, we scrutinize the resurgent hype around humanoid robots. While tech leaders promise a future of automated companions, a look back at the history of automatons suggests we may be experiencing a familiar cycle of inflated expectations, forcing us to question if true robotic integration is imminent.Our cultural lens focuses on the transformation of traditional carnivals in Rio and Venice, where age-old festivities confront the pressures of modernization and global tourism, creating a tense battle between authentic cultural preservation and commercial appeal. The theme of rebellion continues with 'divine defiance,' profiling religious dissidents from the martyr Giordano Bruno to modern reformers, highlighting the perpetual struggle between institutional dogma and the pursuit of personal spiritual truth.Finally, we turn a critical eye towards our society's 'optimization obsession,' unpacking the biohacking and self-help industries' promise of peak performance through nootropics and quantified living, and asking if this relentless drive for efficiency comes at the cost of a life well-lived. Together, these pieces map the compelling tensions shaping our modern world.

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#humanoid robots

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#automation

#future tech