this is today’s edition ofdownload,Our weekday newsletter which provides your daily dose of what’s happening in the world of technology.
How CRISPR could help save crops from pest devastation
For decades, California grape growers have battled Pierce’s disease, a nasty infection that causes vines to wither. The arrival of an invasive pest in the late 80s greatly increased the spread of the disease, turning it from a nuisance to a nightmare.
There is still no cure for the disease, and it is at risk of getting worse due to climate change. But an unlikely solution has arrived in the form of CRISPR gene-editing technology, which allows researchers to alter the insect’s genome so that it can no longer spread the bacterium. Read full story.
-Emma Foehringer Merchant
Busting three myths about the material and renewable energy
When it comes to renewable energy, there are some myths that are hard to bust. The raw materials we need to fight climate change are often found at the center of some of the most widespread falsehoods or misconceptions.
Our climate reporter Casey Crownhart delves into the three biggest myths surrounding climate change-fighting materials and renewable power—demonstrating how important it is to ignore the hype and follow the science. Read full story.
Casey’s story is from The Spark, his weekly energy and climate newsletter. Sign up To receive it in your inbox every Wednesday.
Must read
I’ve scoured the internet to find you the funniest/important/scary/fascinating stories about technology today.
Remember Amazon’s Drone Delivery Program?
Still having a hard time getting it off. ,Information ,
2 These videos show how Iran violently suppresses protests
Security forces are beating and firing at civilians. ,WP ,
, However, thousands of protesters continued to chant slogans against the officers. ,WSJ ,
Whisper Chat is GPT’s quieter cousin
The accuracy of the transcription model created by OpenAI is also close to accurate. ,new yorker ,
, ChatGPT is launching a subscription tier for $20 per month. ,gizmodo,
, Microsoft wasted no time integrating ChatGPT into Teams. ,reuters,
, OpenAI is a real breeding ground for AI talent. ,Information ,
,People are already using ChatGPT to create workout plans. (MIT Technology Review)
4 satellites will play an important role in space war 
They collect data to reveal adversaries’ locations and weapon systems. ,wired ,
+ How to fight a war in space (and get away with it) (MIT Technology Review)
5 Instagram founders launch AI-aggregated news app
He believes the artifact could bust news echo chambers popularized by Twitter. ,feet ,
6 We Don’t Fully Know How Psychedelics Can Change Our Brains
All the more reason to exercise caution before expanding your mind. ,the Atlantic ,
, Mind-altering substances are being heavily promoted as wonder drugs. (MIT Technology Review)
Are you ready to feel the Metaverse?
Haptic technology is the next step in making immersive experiences more alive. ,economist ,
, Meanwhile, Meta’s Metaverse Lab is still losing money. ,insider ,
8 Forget 3D-Printers, This Is A 3D-Printing Factory
It’s all about scale, baby. ,Bloomberg ,
, Meet the designers who printed houses out of salt and clay. (MIT Technology Review)
9 Voice-Dictated Text Messages Are Riddled With Errors
Goof Duck is interpreting them! ,WSJ ,
10 TikTok’s ‘Lucky Girl Syndrome’ Is Just Another Word For Manifestation 
Gen Z has discovered the power of positive thinking. ,Vocal,
, Tiktok’s ‘dark psychology’ trend sounds a lot like gaslighting to me. ,vice president,
Today’s thought
“Privacy has been abolished. It is now a zombie.
In an interview, Professor Emerita Shoshana Zuboff at Harvard Business School highlights the parallels between Western tech giants and China’s surveillance state. financial Times,
big story
How megacities can lead the fight against climate change
April 2021
In 2050, 2.5 billion more people will live in cities than today. As the world becomes more urbanized, many cities are becoming more populated while trying to reduce carbon emissions and blunt the effects of climate change.
Cities will be the engines of economic growth in the coming decades. But they must also play an important role in combating climate change. Learn how some of the world’s largest cities—known as megacities—are rising to the challenge. Read full story.
-Gabriel Merritt and Andre Vittorio
we can still have good things
A place for comfort, fun and distraction during these strange times. (Got any ideas?drop me a lineOrtweet them at me,
+ Atlas has fallen—and I grumble at it blooper reel (Thanks Will!)
+ Don’t worry if your house is looking a little messy these days, even the queen of clean Marie Kondo Dusting is getting easier.
+ these exhibitions For doing well worth traveling the world.
+ I can’t wait to see this breathtaking journey sea serpent sculpture on a french beach.
+ This cat is of some kind well hydrated genius,