What happens when computers know people better than they know themselves? — Science is an algorithm. To date, it might well be the most effective and useful algorithm — or family of algorithms — that humanity ever invented. Ever-improving methods for erecting models of how the world works and then testing those models against evidence make it possible to distinguish good ideas…

The warm light of friendship, intimacy and romantic love illuminates the best aspects of being human — while also casting a deep shadow of possible heartbreak. But what happens when it’s not a human bringing on the heartache, but an AI-powered app? …

A list of pitch instructions I made while pitching my articles. Looking to grow this with your suggestions. — My book just came out in the Northern Hemisphere, and I’m frantically trying to publish a set of op-eds and articles I have written to coincide with the launch. …

A simple experiment exposes a world of implications — One of the many weird things about his pandemic is that humans aren’t touching one another nearly as much as before. Social distancing and self-isolation have confined touch to close relatives and friends. I’m on record as wondering whether, on balance, that’s a good thing. Especially viz-a-vis the handshake. Yet…

Published first in The Conversation as Sexbots, virtual friends, VR lovers: tech is changing the way we interact, and not always for the better — Twenty-first century technologies such as robots, virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI) are creeping into every corner of our social and emotional lives — hacking how we form friendships, build intimacy, fall in love and get off. In my recently-published book, I consider the possibilities, both terrifying and inspiring…

Great article, Nir. I've been grappling with the smartphone-mood disorder issue, and its mediators like sleep and family time, in a lot of my writing. I think you walked the line very deftly here, and I appreciate the balanced message. BTW: I'm Indestractible. At least, I'm a fan of your book, which I listened to on my long runs.

If you're not up for the 12 minute read, here are the highlights — Last week I published a story about how sex and gender defy clean distinction but remain nonetheless worth distinguishing. It’s a long read. By no means long enough to cover the issues in any comprehensive way, but a bit of a commitment for the reader in a hurry. In Defense of Both Sex and Gender They defy clean distinction but remain worth distinguishingmedium.com

They defy clean distinction but remain worth distinguishing — In Australia, when you turn 50, you get a card and a present from the government. Well, the card is actually a letter informing you that you’ve entered a higher risk category for bowel cancers, and the present is a do-it-yourself kit for gathering a couple of small samples and…

One 2-hour session with a class focusses the mind — My Head of School turned to me, near the end of our annual chat about my performance and goals, and I could tell that I was about to be landed with a difficult job. “We have this new course teaching advanced skills to science and medicine students. …