Every year, the reporters and editors at MIT Technology Review assess the tech landscape and highlight 10 technologies that they think have the greatest potential to change our lives in the years ahead. Maybe even more interesting: Explore their lists from 22 previous years.

Remember that brief moment when everyone talked about the metaverse and how it will change everything? Well, the attention certainly moved elsewhere. And maybe that’s a problem. Virtual reality spaces do exist. And there seem to be things happening inside that we shouldn’t ignore while making fun of Zuckerberg’s failed vision.

I usually shy away from people giving advice on how to be more focused – the advice often turns out to be a very simplistic case for less screen time. However, as you’d expect from a conversation on the Ezra Klein Show, this is — allow me the pun — worth your attention. One thing that stuck with me in particular: Studies have shown that when people get interrupted less…they seek ways to interrupt themselves 🙃

A thought-provoking analysis of millions of books over centuries, showing that a) historically, an increase in words related to progress preceded the economic acceleration of the industrialisation and b) that in recent decades, there’s a significant shift away from a culture of progress, and towards one of caution, worry and risk-aversion.

Four encouraging stories of people who booked wins against powerful adversaries. I also like the format: What they were up against / How they won / Why this matters.

By all means, a lot of terrible things happened in 2023. But what’s also true: We tend to hear more about things that are going wrong. This is an excellent collection of good news. Not some silly feelgood stories to distract from tragic events. No, «genuine, world changing stuff about how millions of lives are improving, about human rights victories, diseases being eliminated». Not only do these stories deserve our attention. They are personally valuable by restoring a sense of hope.

Dolphins have their own version of baby talk. One of Saturn’s moons likely has a habitable ocean. You have two noses, and you can control them separately via your armpits. And 78 more facts that make you appreciate the wonders of science and nature.

Cement is responsible for 8 percent of global carbon emissions. If anything, demand for cement is going to rise as emerging economies build out their infrastructure. And unlike other sectors, it’s notoriously difficult to decarbonise. I learned a ton from this conversation with the founder of a startup that has found a way to produce emissions-free cement.

It doesn’t get more canonical than that. 62 best books of 2023 lists, condensed into one list to rule them all, with all the books that made it onto at least 5 of those lists.

Why are sped up versions of hit songs going viral on TikTok? A deep dive into a phenomenon I only realised I was aware of once I heard all the examples. From the always excellent Switched on Pop podcast.