Heatwaves

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The Futurist is your daily tech, cosmic, and science (both weird or otherwise) newsletter with articles and content curated just for you.

In today's edition:

// Heatwaves

// Quantum computers

// Space tourism

// Whole Foods

Amazon to launch pay-by-palm technology at all Whole Foods stores by year-end

"Amazon will let shoppers pay with their palms at all Whole Foods stores by the end of the year, the company announced Thursday.

Amazon One is a biometric technology that lets users enter and pay for items at stores by placing a palm over a scanning device. Shoppers first have to connect their palm to a stored credit card. After that, they can pay by simply waving their hand over the kiosk."

// CNBC »

Quantum computers can now interface with power grid equipment

"With its head-spinning size and connections, the power system is so complex that even supercomputers struggle to efficiently solve certain optimization problems. But quantum computers might fare better, and now researchers can explore that prospect thanks to a software interface between quantum computers and grid equipment."

// TechXplore »

Most Americans expect routine space tourism by 2073, but few would actually try it

"A new study from the Pew Research Center polled U.S. citizens to gauge what they expect of spaceflight over the next 50 years. The survey gathered general opinions on NASA's continued role as a leader in space exploration, how the growing commercial space industry will increase access to space, and the topics people think should be the space agency's top priorities.

The survey found that while over half of Americans expect space tourism to be routine by 2073, far fewer would be willing to take the trip themselves. 65% of those surveyed said they would not be willing to go to space if given the opportunity. That number is ten percent higher than the 55% who expect it to be widely available option."

// Space.com »

This heatwave is a climate omen. But it's not too late to change course

"Thirty years ago, the world's nations agreed to prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system. But what is "dangerous climate change"? Just turn on the television, read the headlines of the morning paper or view your social media feeds. For we are watching it play out in real time this summer, more profoundly than ever before, in the form of unprecedented floods, heatwaves and wildfires. Now we know what dangerous climate change looks like. As has been said of obscenity, we know it when we see it. We're seeing it – and it is obscene."

// The Guardian »