Sign up to save tools and stay up to date with the latest in AI
bg
bg
1

The Download: saving the “doomsday glacier,” and Europe’s hopes for its rockets

Mar 21, 2025 - technologyreview.com
The article from MIT Technology Review's newsletter, The Download, covers several key topics in technology and science. It highlights the efforts of scientists from MIT and Dartmouth College who have founded the Arête Glacier Initiative to study the Thwaites glacier, also known as the "doomsday glacier," in West Antarctica. This glacier is at risk of collapsing due to warm ocean currents, which could trigger a global climate disaster. The initiative aims to provide clearer answers about the likelihood and timing of such a collapse and explore potential preventative measures.

Additionally, the article discusses Europe's growing interest in developing its own commercial rocket industry to reduce reliance on American rockets. Isar Aerospace, a Munich-based company, is set to launch its Spectrum rocket from Norway, marking a significant step for Europe's private space sector. The newsletter also touches on privacy concerns surrounding autopsy reports, Elon Musk's access to US military plans, Meta's use of pirated books for AI training, and other technology-related stories, including Tesla's Cybertruck recall and the evolution of emoji usage.

Key takeaways:

  • Scientists are concerned about the potential collapse of the Thwaites glacier, which could trigger a global climate disaster.
  • Europe is developing its own commercial rocket industry to reduce reliance on American rockets.
  • There is a debate about whether autopsy reports should keep intimate health details private.
  • Elon Musk will be briefed on the US's top-secret plans for war with China, despite Tesla's reliance on China.
View Full Article

Comments (0)

Be the first to comment!