Chocolate Science, Boy Trees, and Robot Artists
The science of chocolate (The New York Times)
by Veronique Greenwood
Conching, the process of transforming gritty cacao powder into smooth chocolate, was invented in 1879. But, until a recent study, scientists didn’t totally understand how it works. Turns out, it’s a lot like mixing cement.
The trouble with boy trees (Atlas Obscura)
by Sabrina Imbler
Allergies driving you crazy? You may be a victim of “botanical sexism,” the exclusive planting of male trees, which plagues many cities.
When AI gets creative (Vox)
by Sigal Samuel
Computers can now create music that audiences can’t distinguish from Bach’s work. Artists might find that unsettling, but they could eventually find that AI is a good partner in their creative work.
Can aging be stopped? (Slate)
by Erika Hayasaki
A genetic disorder diagnosed mainly in Japan makes people show signs of old age while they’re still young. If scientists find a cure, could it help slow aging for all of us?
Life as a collective (The Cut)
by Katie Heaney
Multiple personality disorder is a controversial, much-misunderstood condition. What is it actually like to understand yourself as a group of individuals rather than a single point of view?
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