issue_33

Using physics to describe social phenomena can work—if it’s the right physics.

The science of waiting in modern courtship.

The sweet, avian romance of Harold and Maude.

From ecstasy to withdrawal, the lover resembles an addict.

The powerful allure of the deep azure.

The universe’s greatest sinkholes have no trouble swallowing anything—except themselves.

Meet Xiaoice. She’s empathic, caring, and always available—just not human.

Lucas’ droids are halfway between human and inhuman, so we can both love and ignore them.

How online fear feeds political smear campaigns, stock market rumors, and ISIS propaganda.

From computational complexity to quantum mechanics.