Computers
- Explore more »
Predictions for Privacy in the Age of Facebook (from 1985!)
Mark Zuckerberg wasn't even a year old when a graduate student foresaw the emergence of online personal profiles
May 02, 2013 |
By Matt Novak
Educating Americans for the 21st Century
Our Special Report highlights the bright spots where dynamic ideas, fascinating people and hard work are transforming education for American kids
April 17, 2013 |
By Smithsonian.com
Unleashing the Power of One Computer for Every Student
Education reformer and Amplify CEO Joel Klein explains how tablets in schools will revolutionize the classroom experience
April 12, 2013 |
By Megan Gambino
Disney Kills LucasArts, My Childhood
When LucasArts was first starting out in the 1980s, the future of video games included holograms, virtual reality headsets and worldwide networking
April 04, 2013 |
By Matt Novak
Libra: The 21st Century (Libertarian) Space Colony
The government can't get their hands on you when you're floating above Earth
February 15, 2013 |
By Matt Novak
A Valentine for Sci-Art Lovers
A clever print by designer Jacqueline Schmidt pays homage to 12 different species with one thing in common—they mate for life
February 14, 2013 |
By Megan Gambino
3D-TV, Automated Cooking and Robot Housemaids: Walter Cronkite Tours the Home of 2001
In 1967, the most trusted man in America investigated the home of the 21st century
January 29, 2013 |
By Matt Novak
What Turned Jaron Lanier Against the Web?
The digital pioneer and visionary behind virtual reality has turned against the very culture he helped create
January 2013 |
By Ron Rosenbaum
Holiday Gift Guide: Ideas for the Design Enthusiasts in Your Life
In preparation for the holiday season, a selection of gift ideas related to some of our favorite Design Decoded posts
December 06, 2012 |
By Jimmy Stamp
Dr. NakaMats, the Man With 3300 Patents to His Name
Meet the most famous inventor you’ve never heard of – whose greatest invention may be himself
December 2012 |
By Franz Lidz
How Artificial Intelligence Can Change Higher Education
Sebastian Thrun, winner of the Smithsonian American Ingenuity Award for education takes is redefining the modern classroom
December 2012 |
By Tom Vanderbilt
Happy Birthday Rodin, Sculptor And Breaker of Women’s Hearts
Rodin's contribution to society lives on in his artistic works, but he wrecked a few lives in his time
November 12, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Designing a 51-State Flag
Even in 1958, the American flag was designed through crowdsourcing amateurs. If Puerto Rico joins the union, who will design the 51-star flag?
November 12, 2012 |
By Sarah C. Rich
Happy Birthday to the Father of the Modern Vampire
If Bram Stoker were alive today, he'd be 165—pretty young for a vampire
November 08, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Five Past Visions of Our Political Future
Some people thought that once women were allowed to vote, men would soon lose that privilege
November 06, 2012 |
By Matt Novak
161 Years Ago Today Ahab First Battled the White Whale, and Critics Hated It
Today marks the 161st anniversary of Moby Dick, the epic seafaring tale by Herman Melville, and Google is celebrating with its own Doodle
October 18, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
Yesterday’s Google Doodle Celebrates Little Nemo, Takes You Back to Childhood Fantasy Land
Yesterday's Google Doodle celebrated the 107th anniversary of Little Nemo in Slumberland, a comic strip by Winsor McCay that hit the presses for nine years
October 16, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
50 Years of the Jetsons: Why The Show Still Matters
Although it was on the air for only one season, The Jetsons remains our most popular point of reference when discussing the future.
September 19, 2012 |
By Matt Novak
Top 5 “Science Done Wrong” Moments in Movies
From asteroids to cloning, author and scientist David Kirby weighs in
September 19, 2012 |
By Megan Gambino
The Accidental History of the @ Symbol
Once a rarely used key on the typewriter, the graceful character has become the very symbol of modern electronic communication
September 2012 |
By William F. Allman


