Lessons from fire-fighting

+ The wonders of science, and the difficulty of handling kids and artificial intelligence (#422)

This week‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌, we have pandemic prevention as fire-fighting, the wonders of science, an in-depth profile of...um...cardboard. And the difficulty of handling kids and artificial intelligence (in separate articles, that is). Let's dive in...

1. Pandemic prevention as fire-fighting

Fires used to be massive, entire parts of cities could burn down, numerous cities around the world have one — or more — historical events called «The Great Fire». That no longer happens. Because we've gotten smart about fighting fires. This very interesting article ponders how the key strategies to mitigate fire risk — prevention, detection, passive protection, and active protection — can be applied to something much more dangerous: pandemics.

Pandemic prevention as fire-fighting - Works in Progress
Fire has almost disappeared as a cause of death in the developed world. A similar approach could do the same for infectious diseases.

2. Ten people who helped shape science in 2022

Admittedly, I know just one of them — which makes this list all the more inspiring to read through. From outer space to climate to human organs, it's always amazing what humans are capable of inventing and discovering.

Nature’s 10
Ten people who helped shape science in 2022

3. Why We Long for the Most Difficult Days of Parenthood

I'm not sure how valuable this article is for people without kids, but as a parent to two small kids, this felt extremely relatable. «There’s no sense in trying to cherish every moment of early parenting as it happens [...] Too much is going on, and much of it isn’t enjoyable. But keep an eye out for the precious moments amid the tumult and chaos [...] Collect them like gems, so that when your arms are finally free and your eyes are a little clearer, you can turn them over in your hand.»

Why We Long for the Most Difficult Days of Parenthood
Older parents are always telling parents of young children to cherish every second; it will be gone in a flash. But it’s very difficult advice to follow in the thick of it.