How Technology Has Inspired Neuroscientists To Reimagine The Brain

Plus, the hilarious winners of the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2021.

The Futurist uncovers unique and inspiring topics that feed your curiosity. Curated articles on technology, science, and culture delivered to your inbox. Not for you? Unsubscribe anytime below. /wild THE HILARIOUS WINNERS OF THE COMEDY WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS 2021 The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards was started in 2015 with the hopes of creating a competition that promoted wildlife conservation through humor. This year, the competition is donating 10 percent of its total net revenue to Save Wild Orangutans, a charity that helps to protect wild orangutans in and around Gunung Palung National Park in Borneo. In addition to the category winners, there were also 10 "Highly Commended Winners" that narrowly missed the top spot, but still managed to make the judges smile. You can view a selection of the winning images right here. IFLScience /inspiration CHANNEL YOUR INNER ARTIST WITH THESE EPIC DRAWING LESSONS Whether you love to sketch figures now and then or can't do much more than "paint by numbers," there's no denying the therapeutic effect creating has on your mind and soul. But if you're looking to take your drawing skills up a few pegs, whether it's for fun or to strengthen your professional portfolio, perhaps it's time to get serious. Before you drop a sickening amount of money at some foofy art school, consider taking your training into your own hands to learn firsthand what it takes to bring your drawings to life through both classic and modern methods. Boing Boing /neuroscience HOW TECHNOLOGY HAS INSPIRED NEUROSCIENTISTS TO REIMAGINE THE BRAIN There's a reason computer metaphors are peppered across academic papers and lectures about the brain, according to Matthew Cobb, a zoologist and the author of The Idea of the Brain, a deep dive into the history of neuroscience. As he looked back centuries at early research into the brain, he kept running into older and older mechanical metaphors. These technological metaphors didn't just serve as illustrations for existing conceptions of the brain. Instead, Cobb says comparisons to inventions like the telegraph wire — which could transmit information from a central node to distant points in the countryside — actually helped researchers reimagine the brain, spurring leaps in their understanding of the structure and function of the brain. Vox /innovation THIS WEARABLE TEACHES YOUR BODY HOW TO DEAL WITH STRESS You stress out all day. You can't sleep. Repeat. If you're stuck in this vicious cycle, let us introduce you to Apollo Neuro. The first-ever wearable that's proven to improve your resilience to stress, Apollo Neuro is not your run-of-the-mill fitness tracker. Instead, this wellness wearable actively works to rebalance the body's stress response with novel touch therapy, so you can focus, relax, and sleep. Intrigued? Save 10% when you try it today. [Partner] /exterior @newyorkermag /tech APPLE'S SELF SERVICE PROGRAM WILL LET YOU REPAIR IPHONES AND MACS YOURSELF Apple just became much friendlier to do-it-yourself repairs. The company is launching a Self Service Repair program that will let you repair products yourself using official Apple parts and tools. The option will be available in the U.S. in early 2022 (later that year for other countries) and will initially give the resources to fix an iPhone 12 or iPhone 13, with M1-based Macs eligible soon afterward. Engadget /style WELCOME TO ANOTHER 'WHY DIDN'T I THINK OF THAT?' MOMENT Belts — who needs 'em! Well, actually a lot of people do; they hold up pants, after all. And there are even some people who like belts as an easy expression of style. But you know what's ridiculous about belts? All that flopping around they do after you put them on. We know the tricks: try to slide the flap through the next loop it barely reaches; twist it around like it's part of your look; give up and let it annoy you all day. Lucky for us, Portland-based startup Hyddin designed a patent-pending lay-flat belt that made Gizmodo say, "I really don't understand why all belts aren't designed this way." Inspired by a handmade belt the founder inherited from his grandfather, Hyddin keeps the flap out of sight. Check out the line of solids and patterns for men and women plus save 20% with code STACK for a limited time. Hyddin /money SOMEONE MADE A PIRATE BAY FOR NFTS It's the duty of those with right-clicker mentality to save every NFT they see. But right-click saving the thousands of JPEGs of Bored Apes and Lazy Lions out there is tiring work. That's why Australian artists and programmer Geoffrey Huntley created The NFT Bay — a new torrent site where anyone can download 15 terabytes of JPEGs from a single source. Vice /posted @askejorgensen /bites Keep your hands toasty all winter long with split-finger heating and insulation — a big upgrade from standard heated gloves Stop wondering why you have issues with your energy, sleep, or sex drive and get actionable insights. Take your health into your own hands with 20% off a Base membership today Some people are really into pens. If that's you, do not sleep on these refillable magnetic gel ink fineliners featured on Geeky Gadgets THE FUTURIST Advertise |  Talk to Us  |  Shop |  Unsubscribe |  Our Friends @ The Fanny Pack Powered by StackCommerce 21 Market Street | Venice, CA 90291 View this email in your browser