Category Archives: Futurism

Jane McGonigal is the Director of Game Research & Development at the Institute for the Future in Palo Alto, California. She designs games that aim to improve real lives, and solve real problems. For instance, her game SuperBetter has helped more than one million players tackle real-world health challenges, like depression and chronic pain. She has created and deployed games in over 30 countries for partners such as the American Heart Association, the International Olympics Committee, and the World Bank Institute.

Below, Jane shares 5 key insights from her new book, Imaginable: How to See the Future Coming and Feel Ready for AnythingEven Things That Seem Impossible Today. Listen to the audio versionread by Jane herselfin the Next Big Idea App.

You may be familiar with the saying The future starts now. Catchy as it may be, the future doesnt start now, or tomorrow, or next monthfor professional futurists, it starts ten years from today. Ten years because that is enough time for society, and your own life, to become dramatically different. Its enough time for new technologies to scale up and achieve global impact. Its enough time for social movements to achieve historic victories. Its enough time for big new ideas to take root, gain traction, and change the world.

Thinking on a ten-year timeline will lift the ceiling on your imagination and give you that magical feeling of time spaciousness to achieve transformative change. It will help you open your mind, take in new information, reduce your blind spots, increase your empathy, set more optimistic goals, and see a much bigger picture. Whenever your mind feels stuck or rushed, give yourself a ten-year deadline, make a ten-year resolution, create an event on your calendar for ten years from today, or talk to others about how the world might be different in ten years. It will change how you think and feel today.

At the Institute for the Future, we like to say, Any useful statement about the future should at first seem ridiculous. Its easy to prepare for futures that are similar to today, futures that make sense because they seem normal and reasonable. Its the possibilities that make us say, Thats ridiculous, that could never happen, or I cant even imagine itthose are the possibilities we have to spend time taking seriously. Those are the futures that will be most shocking, disruptive, and challenging if they come to pass.

Imagine if, in late 2019, you had been asked to consider that, in the near future, virtually all nations will shut and lock down their borders. One billion children will stop going to school and do all of their learning at home. Four hundred million jobs will be deemed nonessential and disappear virtually overnight. It will be against the law to hug your grandmother. (Where I live in California, that was true, thanks to social distancing rules for most of 2020.) In 2019, wouldnt these ideas have seemed ridiculous at first? But a few months later, they were reality.

We need to prepare our collective imagination for unimaginable possibilitiesso if they do happen, were not frozen with anxiety or stuck in old ways. Any future scenario that you instinctively dismiss reveals a potential blind spot in your imagination. If something feels unimaginable, thats the tip-off that it is an essential future to start thinking about.

A sculptor works with clay, a computer programmer with code, a chef with ingredientsevery form of creativity has its own raw material. For futurists, the raw material is clues. We collect, combine, and build future scenarios out of clues to how the future might be different. To find future clues, you need to develop a way of observing the world in which you spot weird stuff that others overlook. You must constantly home in on things you havent previously encountered, things that make you say, Huhstrange, and I wonder why thats happening.

You can see signals all around you. For example, the first time I saw a No Drone Zone sign in my local park, I knew it was a signal that drone technology was becoming widespread enough to deserve its own signage. Inspired by this signal of change, I got my own drone and learned more about how drones are being used: journalism, storytelling, activism, art, scientific data collection, urgent delivery services. Finding signals can be as simple as a quick search on news or social media. This week, I searched for future of learning, future of mental health, and future of pets. (That was a particularly fun searchI learned about dinosaur chickens, therapeutic robot cushions, and how dogs on Mars would live.) You can also throw in terms like innovation, experiment, surprising, trend, leading-edge, weird, strange, creative idea, new phenomenon, scientific study.

Make it a habit to find at least one new signal of change every week, or even every day. Let these signals spark curiosity. What would the world be like if these signals of change became more common? Follow the trail of clues wherever it takes you.

This is my favorite way to come up with ridiculous (at first) ideas for the future. If your imagination feels stuck in the present, then rewrite the facts of today. Make a list of up to a hundred things that are true today, then flip them upside-down. Rewrite every fact so that the opposite is true. For example, you could say that libraries are mostly quiet spaces. Flip that fact upside-down: ten years from today, libraries are loud, raucous, wild spaces. Envision it is a vividly as you can. Whats happening in libraries to make them feel and sound so different?

If thinking about the future of democracy, you could say that today theres a minimum voting age. Flip that upside down: ten years from now, theres no minimum voting age, babies can vote. Picture itchildren voting! What does that look like? How does it change politics?

Whatever you come up with, spend time mentally immersed in upside-down worlds. Make sense of why these changes could happen. How does this new reality work? Look for cluesin the news, on social media, and in your own lifethat make these flipped facts seem more plausible. Type your flipped facts into search engines and discover signals of change that you would otherwise have missed. This is a fun, mind-stretching game, but its also profound. Turning the world upside-down can help clarify what changes you want in society and your own life.

Urgent optimism is a highly motivating, resilient mindset made up of three key psychological strengths: mental flexibility, realistic hope, and future power.

Mental flexibility is the ability to recognize that anything can become different in the future, even things that seem impossible to change today.

Realistic hope is a balance of positive and shadow imagination. Its knowing which threats it makes sense to worry about and which new solutions, technologies, and ideas it makes sense to be excited about.

Future power is a feeling of control and agency to directly impact the future, by taking intentional action today.

The good news is that urgent optimism is not a fixed personality trait. It changes throughout our lives and, crucially, its changeablewe can purposefully build more of it through future imagination training.

To listen to the audio version read by author Jane McGonigal, download the Next Big Idea App today:

More here:
Imaginable: How to See the Future Coming and Feel Ready for AnythingEven Things That Seem Impossible Today - Next Big Idea Club Magazine

Published on April 23, 2022

Augmenting NEXAs value statement of CREATE.INSPIRE.,Maruti Suzuki today launched the All-New XL6. The most premium offering from NEXA, the All-New XL6 with a bolder design, enhanced comfort features, in-built connected technology and Next-Gen Powertrain offers an immersive and indulgent drivingexperience.

Inspiring the future of Indulgence, the All-New XL6 empowers expression of individual identities who aspire for the finer things in life and take out the time to indulge.The All-New XL6 enables the NEXA customer to revel in utmost comfort while maintaining discernible tastes.

Speaking at the launch of All-New XL6, Mr. Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director and CEO, Maruti Suzuki IndiaLimited said, The XL6 has been a very successful model for us at NEXA. It has managed to carve a space for itself as the premium MPV in a short period.The evolving customersaspirations for a bolder, feature-packed,premium utility vehicle have led us to introduce the All-New XL6. This premium MPVhas enhanced comfort and convenience features, which are bound to delight the todays modern buyer. Based on NEXAs new design languageCRAFTED FUTURISM, the All-New XL6 has a refreshed design, advanced features and is powered by Next-Generation powertrain withan all-new 6-speed automatic transmission. I am confident that our NEXA customers will appreciate the All-New XL6.

All-New XL6 based on NEXAs Crafted Futurism Design Language

The All-New XL6 is the second model to feature NEXAs Crafted Futurism design language. A work of art inspired by the future, the design language is exclusively crafted to match the refined tastes of NEXA customers. The design philosophy manifests itself upon three major pillars:

Machine-finished two-tone R16 Alloy wheels

3D LED Tail Lamps with light guide & Smoke Grey Lens

New Bold Front Grille with sweeping X-bar element

All-New XL6 |Bold Design

The All-New XL6 embodies the aspirations ofurban buyers looking for a vehicle that matches theirstyle and complements their aspirations. It stands out with its imposing stance, bold front fascia and all-around body cladding with front & rear skid plates along with a host of key design updates, which enhance the bold appeal of the vehicle:

All-New XL6| Indulgent Interiors

The powerful exterior design of All-New XL6 is complimented by its plush interiors, which engulf you in utmost comfort.It builds upon NEXAs key pillars of Global, Innovative & Pampering by offering the perfect blend of style, technology and comfort.

The All-New XL6 is equipped with advanced comfort and convenience features:

Ventilated Seats

Ventilated Seats in the front row,designed to keep you cool and comfortable no matter what the temperature is outside

Enveloped in plush leatherette perforatedseat upholstery, the All-New XL6 features captain seats in the 2ndrow and the reclining 3rdrow seatsto ensure every passenger is left feeling pampered.The roof-mounted AC for rear passengers with multiple adjustable air vents and three-stage speed control ensures that all passengers are comfortable.

Keeping the customers comfort in mind, thoughtfully planned utility spaces such as air-cooled can holders, front row armrest with utility box, smart phone storage, bottle holders in each row and an option of a power socket in each row have been built-in.

All-New XL6 | Enhanced Safety

The All-New XL6 is secured with the NEXA Safety Shield, a host of active and passive safety features for your ultimate peace of mind.

All-New XL6 | Next-Generation Powertrain | Advanced Transmission

With the Next-Gen K-series 1.5L Dual Jet, Dual VVT Gasoline Engine with Progressive Smart Hybrid Technology, the All-New XL6 offers a peak power of [emailprotected] and max. torque of [emailprotected]

Advanced 6-speed Automatic

Transmission

Paddle Shifters

The All-New XL6 is available with the choice of a 5-speed manualand an all-new advanced 6-speed Automatic Transmission with steering mounted Paddle Shifters and offers an incredible fuel-efficiency** of 20.97km/l(MT) and 20.27 km/l (AT)in line with our vision for reduced emissions.

The All-new XL6 is offered in six monotone color options and three Dual-tone Color Options to make a bold statement:NEXA customers with a one-click online convenience, can also personalize their All-New XL6 with dynamic range ofGenuine NEXA accessories

All-New XL6 Prices: (Ex Showroom in INR)

The All-New XL6 can also be owned through Maruti Suzuki Subscribe at an all-inclusive monthly subscription fee starting from INR 25 499/-.

Maruti Suzuki Subscribe is a convenient way to bring home a new car. It allows a customer to use a new car without actually owning it and by paying an all-inclusive monthly subscription fee that comprehensively covers cost of complete registration, service & maintenance, insurance and roadside assistance.

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NEXA Launches the All-New XL6 Time to Indulge - APN News

Express News Service

Art plays myriad roles in our lives. While for some art is a mode to express themselves openly, for others it may be a medium to extend commentary upon what is happening around us. To be called an artist, one does not need to pursue art professionally, harbouring a sense of devotion towards the medium is often enough. Taking their passion for art forward, a few enthusiasts from Delhi-NCR exhibited their artworks at a show titled Art of Story Telling. Presented by Studio avantZgarde, this two-day exhibition comprising works of six artists was inaugurated at the Indian Council of Cultural Relations, Azad Bhawan, IP Estate on Saturday. Curated by mother-daughter duo Sareena Kochar and Avantika Kochar, this exhibition looked at the role art can play in the life of an ordinary individual in responding to various external impulses Some of them [the artists] are not professional artists and are doing this primarily for their passion. This exhibition is all about their depiction of what comes to the mind of the artist and looking at things from different perspectives and showcasing these concepts, shared Avantika Kochar.

A passion for art

A common thread that connects all these six artists is their dedication towards art. Avantika (30), a dancer and a Yogini, exhibited a few charcoal paintings along with others made through acrylic paints. A common thread in her work is the exploration of movement. There is always discovery where there is collaboration. My collaboration is with the moving body and you will see in my work. It is not always nature or its elements but it is the form that really intrigues me, she shared. Sareena, a hospitality professional from Gurugram, on the other hand, exhibited a series of architectural photographs clicked in various cities during her travel pursuits.

Siddhant Bhatia (32), a self-taught designer from Gurugramhe works in the corporate space exhibited four digital illustrations. Exploration of futurism, especially through colours, was central to Bhatias works. I really like pop art, colours that bring out the retro and futuristic element. The fascination has always been about mixing two-three styles together, he explained. Of the five, Yaman Navlakha is the only one who belongs to the creative fieldhe is a professional photographer and a documentary filmmaker. Navlakhas work on display comprised a series of black-and-white portraits. When we talk about character portraits, we only speak of famous people or those who are public figures. My intention was to capture either people I know or the everyday person and sort of bring out their essence through the portrait, he shared. Usha Dyes (79) from Noida uses acrylic on canvas to create artworks that explore nature in all its dimensions. Similar in essence were Saroj Mishras works that explore mythological figures through the same medium as Usha. In its entirety, this exhibition was a novel attempt at letting these aesthetes take forward their work to an audience whod appreciate their attempt and devotion.

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For the love of art - The New Indian Express

Dispatch

10:45

by Philip Patrick

Demolition of the Nagakin Capsule Tower has begun

Tokyo

One of Tokyos most iconic buildings, the Nagakin Capsule Tower, is currently being dismantled. The 50-year-old structure, with its 144 cube-shaped capsules and porthole windows, is one of the worlds few surviving examples of Metabolism. This 50s era architectural movement conceived of natural buildings, made up of cell-like components that could be replaced, or added to, giving the structures an organic quality and theoretically almost unlimited lifespan.

The tower is hideously carbuncle ugly it resembes a precarious stack of rusting washing machines but, as an almost unique example of a particular form of retro-futurism, is of undeniable historical and architectural significance. Yet, despite howls of international condemnation, its demise has received barely a peep of protest in Japan. A feeble attempt by the towers few remaining residents to save it got nowhere, and most Tokyoites, it appears, couldnt care less.

But then that is the way of things in Tokyo, a city renowned for being the worlds most transitory megalopolis. Old buildings are not so much cherished here as seen as an embarrassment. The average lifespan of a Tokyo building is just 26 years (the UK is 77). Even the much vaunted temples and shrines are rarely very old like Disney attractions they are quietly knocked down every couple of decades and rebuilt, hence their suspiciously pristine condition.

The traditional reason given for this ultra short shelf life is earthquakes and fires: why build for posterity when a tremor or conflagration could reduce your investment to dust and ashes? But this is a canard; modern building methods can make even the tallest urban structures virtually quake and fire proof. Indeed, Tokyo was named the worlds safest cityin 2017 by the Economist Intelligence Units Safe Cities Index, which gives a high priority to infrastructure.

In truth, there is a simpler explanation for Tokyos continual rebuilding loop its good business. The enormous potential of a construction site city was established by the 1964 Olympics, which saw the grotty, but undeniably characterful, buildings obliterated and remade in a frenzied transformation. Whole neighbourhoods were flattened, and new structures were thrown up in haphazard fashion. This caused immense disruption and serious environmental damage, but reaped gigantic profits for those lucky enough to be in receipt of the almost blank cheque government contracts.

Writer Charles Whiting, who witnessed the almighty upheaval, recalls Tokyo at that time was a cacophonous dusty hell, which tested the legendary Japanese quality of gaman (endurance) to the full. In one famous story, a man was arrested for making love to his wife in the grounds of the royal palace but was let off when he explained it was the only place where they could find peace from the relentless noise.

Tokyo endured and people grew to accept living in a state of permanent impermanence, and even perhaps to revel in the sense of dynamism.It chimed with the Japanese love of newness evidenced by the high status given to shinhatsubai (new products). New shopping centres attracted huge crowds on opening. Even unremarkable ventures, like Krispy Kreme Donuts, could attract two- or three-hour queues months after they opened their first store (now closed) in central Tokyo in 2006.

But so homogenous has much of Tokyos street scene become, with the same chain stores, restaurants and sterile airport terminal atmosphere, that the first emotion that often hits you when exiting any of its 881 stations is to wonder if you hadnt ended up back where you started. Even as a long-term resident I am constantly reminded of the line from MI5s man in Japan in the Bond film You Only Live Twice: I have been in Tokyo 20 years and Im only beginning to find my way around, which rings almost as true today as when Roald Dahl scripted it in 1967.

It is no wonder the Metabolists failed to reorganise Tokyo. The adherents of the movement looked to nature for inspiration, but overlooked two things: that cities have their own DNA that no revolutionary philosophy can ever quite remove, and that human natures most powerful forces is the desire to make a quick buck.

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Farewell to one of Tokyo's most iconic buildings - UnHerd

It sounds like Meta founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg isnt exactly loved by the people working for him.

During a recent interview with YouTuber Tim Ferriss, Zuckerberg revealed that he has a brand new nickname at the company.

Some of the the folks who I work with at the company they say this lovingly, but I think that they sometimes refer to my attention as the Eye of Sauron.

Those folks are, of course, referring to the Dark Lords form in the Lord of the Rings books and movies.

But rather than focusing too much on, you know, the association with the books literal embodiment of evil, Zuckerberg honed in on a conveniently different interpretation. He claims his new moniker refers to his unending amount of energy to go work on something.

In short, Zuckerberg is the kind of boss who likes to preside over his underlings with the same kind of intensity that could cast an eternal shadow on Mordor if he so chooses.

Its perhaps representative of a greater work culture coming out of Silicon Valley that has often prioritized productivity and long working hours over a healthy work-life balance.

At least Zuckerberg seems to be aware of the potential harm his Eye of Sauron could do, telling Ferriss that he tries to diffuse his energy and manage my schedule so I can actually focus on the things that Im naturally thinking about.

The admission comes as Meta has shifted much of its focus to developing the Metaverse, an unpopular virtual reality playground that just hasnt really caught on in any meaningful way yet, at least.

And Zuckerberg is hellbent on pushing that agenda, even if its not the most popular option.

At this point, I kind of feel like if people fully feel like they understand what we are as a company and what were doing, then Im not pushing it hard enough, he told Ferriss.

In other words, Zuckerberg has made up his mind about his companys future, even if investors are far from enthusiastic about his vision.

But given the fact that he holds the majority of the companys voting shares, theyll either have to agree or fall victim to his Eye of Sauron.

READ MORE: Mark Zuckerberg says his employees refer to his intense attention as the Eye of Sauron after the menacing, flaming eye in The Lord of the Rings

More on Zuckerberg: Facebook Busted Paying Consulting Firm to Turn Users Against TikTok

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Mark Zuckerberg Says That When Employees Call Him the Eye of Sauron, It's Actually a Compliment - Futurism

"We found a field of very large icy volcanoes that look nothing like anything else we have seen in the solar system."Ice Volcanoes

While scouring images taken by NASAs New Horizons spacecraft of Plutos surface, a team of astronomers made a tantalizing discovery.

We found a field of very large icy volcanoes that look nothing like anything else we have seen in the solar system, Kelsi Singer, senior research scientist at the Southwest Research Institute in Boulder, Colorado, and author of a new study published in the journal Nature Communications, told CNN.

The finding goes to show the tiny planet still has plenty of surprises in store for us and could be more habitable for life previously believed, the researchers say.

The area covers 621 miles across an ancient impact basin. Two of its largest volcanic domes are roughly the size of Earth-based volcanos, including Mauna Loa in Hawaii, our worlds biggest volcano by volume.

Since the area itself doesnt have any new impact craters, the researchers suggest the massive ice volcanoes arent actually that old and were formed as a result of residual heat emanating from the tiny planets interior.

This means Pluto has more internal heat than we thought it would, which means we dont fully understand how planetary bodies work, Singer told CNN.

Rather than spectacularly erupting in an explosion of magma, these ice volcanoes vent a slurry of ice and water kind like toothpaste, she explained.

Its an intriguing discovery that adds to existing theories about what scientists believe to be Plutos sizeable subsurface ocean. The volcanoes could be evidence that liquid water is closer to the surface than previously thought.

That could also influence the planets ability to harbor life but its still a bit of a stretch.

There are still a lot of challenges for any organisms trying to survive there, Singer told CNN. They would still need some source of continual nutrients, and if the volcanism is episodic and thus the heat and water availability is variable, that is sometimes tough for organisms as well.

The team is now excited to send a spacecraft outfitted with a radar to examine what the volcanic plumbing looks like, as Singer put it.

READ MORE: Pluto has giant ice volcanoes that could hint at the possibility of life [CNN]

More on Pluto: Nitwits Claim Wrongly to Have Disproved the Existence of Jupiter

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Tantalizing Discovery Hints at Possibility of Life on Pluto - Futurism

Image by KREMLIN PRESS SERVICE / HANDOUT/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

Remember all those sexy, shirtless photos of Russian President Vladimir Putin back in the 2000s? Let us jog your memory.

Back in the day, Putin wanted Russian citizens to think of him as a rugged, athletic outdoorsmen, and was often photographed swimming and horseback riding, among other activities.

The now-69-year old Putin was 47 when he took office, first as prime minister in 1999, and then in 2012 as president. But his health has failed in the years since, and a new report published by investigative Russian outlet Proektearlier todayfound that the leader keeps multiple doctors on hand at all times, even keeping cancer specialists on call permanently.

Because of Putins athleticism, we pretty much already knew his back and spineare wrecked. Proektreports Putin sustained several sports injuries from falling off horses, and that during the early 2000s fell so badly he was temporarily stunned and couldnt get to his feet. In 2012, he was limping so noticeably during a TV appearance that the Kremlim instructed media outlets to use only still photos and cut all video footage of the president walking, and he has since been bowled over by a veteran ice hockey player during an exhibition.

That doesnt mean Putin doesnt receive treatment, though some of it is pretty woo-woo, including antler blood baths he supposedly takes. Other are more practical, and suggest that Putin may actually be struggling with thyroid cancer, since he regularly travels with a cadre of doctors and keeps a list of others on call at all times.

In 2019 Putin went skiing with Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko. According to Proekts reporting, two intensive care specialists, a neurologist, a dermatovenerologist, two ENTs, and an oncology surgeon stayed at the exact same resort at the same time.

Oncologist-surgeon Evgeny Selivanov has spent 166 days with the president in four years of service,according to the report,and has been near Putin any time the president has disappeared from public view. Otolaryngologists Igor Esakov and Alexey Shcheglov are the only two doctors who fly to Putin more often than Selivanov.

Thats significant, because diseases like thyroid cancer are usually diagnosed by an otolaryngologist. Then an oncologist and a surgeon help treat the patient.

It goes without saying that theres no shame in physical injuries or disabilities of any kind, and that chronic pain or illness shouldnt exclude anyone from leadership. But Putin and his counsel see admission of sickness as a sign of weakness, so the cadre of specialists is striking.

Its pretty sad that in 2022, a 69-year-old cant let the people he serves know he might be struggling with a serious illness. For both disability rights and visibility, it seems not much has changed since FDRs tenure.

And for someone with Putins immense power, of course never mind his involvement in the ongoing war in Ukraine the idea that he might be struggling with serious health concerns is a matter of keen geopolitical interest.

More on political medical news: Police Find Find Fetuses in Home of Anti-Abortion Activist

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Putin Almost Always Accompanied by Cancer Specialist, Investigation Finds - Futurism

But what does that actually mean?Hard Cap

Bitcoin was designed to have a hard cap of 21 million Bitcoins, a limited coin supply that in some ways mimics the theoretically finite supply of other valuable goods like gold.

Well over a decade after the first Bitcoin was mined, the mainstream cryptocurrency is nearing its next threshold: 19 million mined Bitcoins, as Axios notes, a notable milestone.

Which leaves the obvious question: what happens as the world bears down on that final supply?The answer, it turns out, is anything but clear.

Roughly every four years, the number of Bitcoins minted for each block in Bitcoins blockchain gets halved, slowing down the mining process significantly.

Once the very last Bitcoin is mined, miners will no longer get any reward. Given the currently established rate, though, the final21 millionth Bitcoin wont be mined for over 100 years.

One complexifier is that were not even sure if there even are 19 million Bitcoins currently circulating. In 2020, for instance, blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis found that around 3.7 million coins hadnt been touched for at least five years. Other firms suggest around three million will never be retrieved.

In short, nobody really seems to know the significance of hitting the 19 million mark.Still, that means that more than 90 percent of the Bitcoins that will ever exist are already out there a striking figure.

At the time of writing, a single Bitcoin is still valued at over $45,000, so the news hasnt exactly had much of an effect.

But will Bitcoin always be worth that much? Mining the token, a process referred to as proof-of-work, is an energy intensive and environmentally harmful process, meaning that once its value falls enough, miners may no longer be incentivized to continue.Needless to say, as the supply of coins becomes shorter, much will come to hinge on the future value of the currency.

Institutionally, governments and the banking industry have increasingly started embracing Bitcoin as a legitimate currency. Miners worldwide also made record revenue from mining Bitcoin in 2021.

Proof-of-work mining has proved to be far less popular, with governments around the globe banning the practice, including China, once home to the largest Bitcoin mines, citing its massive carbon footprint and connections to shady practices.

Where does that leave the future of Bitcoin? Thats the billion dollar question on the minds of crypto investors and the answer is as hazy as ever.

READ MORE: Bitcoin nears full supply with 19 million coin milestone [Axios]

More on Bitcoin: Exxon Mobil Is Starting to Burn Excess Gas to Mine Bitcoin

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They've Now Mined Almost All the Bitcoin That Will Ever Exist - Futurism

Die Hard actor Bruce Willis been diagnosed with a cognitive disorder thats affecting his ability to speak and work and its likely more common than youd expect.

In a sad Instagram post, the actors daughter Rumer Willis wrote that her father has been diagnosed with aphasia, a neurological condition in which people have difficulty with language and particularly with remembering words.

As a result of the diagnosis, the 67-year-old actor is, per his daughters post, stepping away from the career that has meant so much to him.

The Mayo Clinic describes aphasia as a condition that robs you of the ability to communicate which can affect ones ability to speak, write and understand language, both verbal and written.

According to the National Institutes of Health, people most often develop aphasia suddenly after a stroke or head injury, though neither has been reported in Willis case.It can also be caused by a brain tumor or a degenerative condition, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Although most aphasia sufferers are middleaged, its a common disorder that can affect anyone including small children, the NIH notes. The National Aphasia Association estimates that there are at least two million people in the US with aphasia, and roughly 180,000 more are diagnosed with it every year.

While cognitive exercises are the most often prescribed treatments for aphasia patients, which can include everything from joining book clubs to speech therapy, advances in non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) technology are carving new avenues of research and experimental treatment for people who develop aphasia,particularly after having strokes.

Trials are currently underway to study NIBS effectiveness for a host of disorders including aphasia, and with any luck, they will be able to help people who suffer from this disorder thats affected one of Americas most beloved actors.

As Bruce always says, Live it up,' the actors daughter wrote, and together we plan to do just that.

More on aphasia research:New research seeks breakthroughs in aphasia recovery [University of Queensland Australia]

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Bruce Willis Is Halting His Movie Career Due to Aphasia. Here's What That Means - Futurism

A study looking at the effects of a widely prescribed diabetes drug has linked the medication to an increased risk of birth defects.

The Danish study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that men who took metformin, a common drug used to treat Type 2 Diabetes, within three months before conceiving a child were 40percent more likely to have kids with birth defects.

Curiously, the study which analyzed more than a million births via national registries in Denmark between the years 1997-2016 does not get into the specifics about what kind of defects occur, only that they are genital and that these defects were found most often in male infants.

While the frequency of genital birth defects, which were the only type researchers identified as statistically significant, in children born to fathers with Type 2 Diabetes was 3.1 percent overall, the frequency increased to 4.6percent for babies whose fathers took metformin during the three months prior to conception.

The study, which focused on more than a millionbabies born to women under the age of 35 who did not have diabetes and men under the age of 40, was undertaken because, as the researchers wrote, diabetes reduces semen quality and increasingly occurs during reproductive years.

Along with looking at men who take metformin for their diabetes, researchers also focused on men who took insulin for diabetes as well and found it wasnt correlated with genital birth defects in the same way as metformin.

The researchers also found that men who took metformin prior to the three month period prior to conception werent more likely to end up with kids with birth defects.

Studies like this one are meant more to establish a correlation with the intention of future studies, and the authors acknowledged that information on underlying disease status was limited and that further research should replicate these findings and clarify the causation.

Whether the finding should affect the medication that anybody is taking at this time is an open question that experts say patients should leave up to their doctors.

In general, metformin is effective, cheap and safe to the person who is taking it. Those are important factors to consider, Maarten Wensink, an epidemiologist at the University of Southern Denmark who coauthored the research, told Live Science. Whether or not to take metformin is a decision that every patient should [discuss] with their treating physician.

But for now, these troubling findings should, if nothing else, highlight how important neonatal care is for men as well as women..

READ MORE:Preconception Antidiabetic Drugs in Men and Birth Defects in Offspring [Annals of Internal Medicine]

More on scary birth defects:Weed-Killing Chemical Used in Deadly Agent Orange Toxin Found in 1 in 3 Americans

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Commonly Prescribed Drug Linked to Birth Defects - Futurism