Welcome to the Pew Research Center 2016 Future of the Internet Survey
Thank you for taking a few minutes to share your thoughts tied to five important questions about how internet trends might evolve in the next 10 years. You will be given the option to remain completely anonymous, or you can take credit by name for any or all of your answers. The questions will invite you to consider the likely future of: the tone of social discourse online, education innovation for future skills, the opportunities and challenges of the Internet of Things and algorithm-based everything, and trust in online interaction. There are also a few general demographic questions we gather to use only for statistical purposes.
For all these questions, please give your best assessment of where you expect we will be in the next decade. This may not be the future you would prefer – but please select the future you expect is most likely. You will be able to elaborate on your hopes for the future in your written answers….
Even the Internet’s Favorite Pool Guy Doesn’t Know How to Fix the Reflecting Pool
Algae blooms, peeling paint, and a host of fixes from hydrogen peroxide to nanobubblers have made it hard to diagnose what’s wrong with the Reflecting Pool—let alone how to clean up the mess.
Molly Taft
Livestream Replay: Inside The World of Online Romance Scams
The Yahoo Boys author Carlos Barragán joined Kate Knibbs to answer your questions about Nigeria's romance scammers.
Kate Knibbs
What if the Universe Isn’t as Uniform as Scientists Think?
A study based on 47 million galaxies found that the cosmic web retains patterns on enormous scales, which could force a reevaluation of a pillar of cosmology.
Jorge Garay
Sotheby’s Big T. Rex Auction Raises Concerns Hype and Wealth Are Upending Science
Private buyers are increasingly outbidding museums for fossils. That’s making it difficult—or even impossible—for researchers to improve our understanding of the past.
Kate Wong
Go Ahead and Get Your Kid That 3D Printer
Kids love 3D printers almost as much as K-Pop Demon Hunters. Just give in and get one.
Martin Cizmar
An Explosion Knocked Out Anduril’s Rocket Motor Test Site in Mississippi
The incident could disrupt a key part of the defense company’s rocket motor business, which designs and tests prototype motors for military customers.
Paresh Dave
Sony’s PlayStation Puts a Nail in Physical Media’s Coffin
Is PlayStation about to make the same mistake Microsoft made with Xbox One?
Matt Kamen
New York Governor Signs First Statewide Data Center Moratorium
“We have no choice but to address the challenges created by these massive facilities,” New York governor Kathy Hochul said. The executive order will pause construction for one year.
Molly Taft
Plex Keeps Getting Worse. Is Jellyfin a Decent Replacement?
If you want to stream local media, this free and open source media server is just as good as Plex. But if you rely on remote access or live TV, prepare to tinker.
Justin Pot
Drive Slower, Save Money on Gas. Thanks, Physics!
Planning a Fourth of July getaway? Use less gas—and cut your emissions—by easing up on the pedal.
Rhett Allain
The US Approves Launch of Mirror Satellite That Can Reflect Sunlight and Illuminate the Earth at Night
The FCC authorized Reflect Orbital to launch the mirror satellite Eärendil-1. “For optical astronomy, this poses an existential threat,” the European Southern Observatory said.
Javier Carbajal
ICE’s Internal Watchdog Is Now Investigating Online Critics
The Office of Professional Responsibility has opened more than 100 cases over what ICE officials call “incidents of doxing and threats” against ICE employees.
Maddy Varner