Next America Blog

The movies always inspire our imagination; most recently's Marvel's Ironman film made many of wish for a suit that could do almost anything. Well, researchers are currently working on an artificial intelligence suit that could hold some of those fantastic elements. These specific components are being designed to be integrated into NASA's space suits so as to allow astronauts the ability to identify alternative lifeforms on other planets, specifically Mars.

The CDC recommends that every person receive the H1N1 flu vaccine once it becomes openly available, but many individuals are opting not to get it.  The reasons for this include misgivings about the vaccine’s safety and a general ambivalence about the severity of the swine flu virus.  Few, however, doubt the efficacy of the vaccine itself.  Vaccines are considered to be one of the wonders of modern medicine, responsible for saving millions of lives and virtually eradicating a number of diseases, like polio

The most recent post on this blog by Greg Sanders refers to some historical and current comparisons as far as the kinds of goals we should be seeking in Afghanistan, which will help us (more importantly, the President) determine the best course of action to take.  It is an important part of policy to take full account of historical and cultural importances and differences in the decision making process.  However, in doing, so we must be careful on what interpretations of history we are examining.

When looking at developing countries and the myriad of issues that face them, it often becomes a daunting task coming up with ways to benefit those in need. Many however have lived up to the task and have found the little things that make a big difference. The latest in this is a new combination of older technologies that create an inexpensive and environmentally friendlier way of bringing light where there was once darkness.

Many of us have come to depend on cell phones and email devices as a link to the outside world, no matter where we may be. We can easily keep in touch with friends and family via phone and email, and more recently, through social networking applications on our mobile phones. But one company has taken this idea one step further (or even too far), introducing the first Twitter-only mobile device.

This week’s edition of the Economist carries a story on the demographic crisis and strikes a rather upbeat tone on our prospects for surmounting it. Unfortunately, the authors wrote about the wrong crisis, the one of rampant population growth exhausting the Earth’s resources that demographers warned of decades ago. Today these same demographers say such a scenario is very unlikely.

As the administration works to formulate a new strategy for Afghanistan, popular and elite support appears to be dropping off and a string of attacks makes the stakes all too clear.

Bombings, shootings, and kidnappings are becoming increasingly commonplace in Pakistan, a fact that is best highlighted by yet another Taliban bombing in Peshawar yesterday that has so far left over 100 people dead. As stability and security in Pakistan continue to deteriorate, some have come to question the integrity of the Pakistani state as a whole, and whether or not this is the beginning of a gradual disintegration of the country.

DARPA, the government agency credited with inventing the internet, is looking to bring the technology to space. More precisely, it is looking to develop a dependable and fast wireless network using satellites.  Broadband satellite technology has existed for many years, but the quality of service is inferior compared to that delivered by terrestrial providers.

A new craze that has engulfed our nation over the last few years has been the development and purchasing of hybrid vehicles. Cars such as the Toyota Prius and the Honda Insight have raised many questions as to why we still have vehicles on the road that average less that 15 miles per gallon while the Prius and Insight are able to reach over 50. Such conversations have stirred such debate and have contributed to the research, funding and development of other vehicle types including purely electric vehicles.