Technology News Entertainment Sports Originals Science Long Reads Dialog
WHAT WE LEARNED THIS WEEK

Welcome To What We Learned This Week, a digest of the most curiously important facts from the past few days. This week, the fatal cost of flawed design, the impossible task of assembling Ikea furniture while high and the aliens possibly trying to shut down a star.
CARRY-ONS WE DIGG ǀ SPONSORED

A Smarter Carry-On For High-Tech Travelers

Genius Pack’s luggage has integrated charging and compression technology so that you can stay connected and pack what you need while taking up less room. Use the promo code DIGGIT for $30 off!
PROBABLY SAID SORRY AFTERWARDS

During last night's 200 meter individual medley, CBC announcer Elliotte Friedman thought Lochte was Phelps and Phelps was Lochte for the entire duration of the race. Even when the graphics say otherwise, Friedman is convinced that "Phelps might not even make the podium."
HYPOTHETICALLY SPEAKING

The string theory wars among physicists have highlighted just how much science needs philosophy — and not just the amature version.
THEY WILL KNOW US BY OUR BIOMETRICS

The problem seems obvious. We all need some kind of consistent digital identity (think virtual ID "card") that can identify and authenticate us not only to all our devices, but to all our online services, commerce and banking accounts, and essentially anywhere where we need to digitally, or even physically, verify who we are. Actually solving that problem, it turns out, is pretty hard.
DON'T SMELL GREAT

In 1620, the Mayflower set off from Plymouth, carrying hopeful pilgrims to the New World. As it sailed over the Atlantic, it passed over deep, cold waters, where baby Greenland sharks were starting out their lives. And if a new study is right, some of them are still alive today.
WAY BEFORE LENNY WAS THE GUESS WHO

The song “American Woman” by The Guess Who wasn't ever supposed to happen. It wasn't planned, staged or pre-meditated. Yet you all know the iconic riff. Sometimes all it takes for a hit song to form is an accident, a bit of luck and a whole lot of inspiration. For Randy Bachman and The Guess Who, that's exactly what happened.