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The problem for me with Vlatko Vedral's beautiful new vision of reality is that all theories about the world in which we find ourselves are created by observers proposing ideas. Examination of those ideas by other observers (i.e. the use of the scientific method) winnows them to those that pass the tests ( 1 November, …

To reduce the problem of old satellites releasing pollution when they burn up in the atmosphere, it should be internationally mandated that every satellite keeps enough reserve fuel to move it into a designated "capture orbit". Small rocket drones could refuel still functioning satellites if needed using universal connectors or collect them for delivery to …

David Aldred's suggestion to burn the money gained by criminal means could lead to unpleasant socioeconomic consequences. Money isn't an asset per se. It is more like a share certificate that entitles you to a fraction of society's actual assets (like food, houses or magazines). Just as the value of a share certificate can be …

While bamboo might be a possible candidate as a renewable source of plastic, I hope no one decides to start growing bamboo on their own in the hope of starting a lucrative business ( 18 October, p 15 ). Its rapid growth rate, while adding to its attractiveness as a renewable source, is accompanied by …

The nanodiscs in a new kind of e-paper reflect light and each one's brightness can be varied by a brief electrical pulse that places ions inside the disc (1 November, p 12).

Cory Doctorow is correct about how algorithms end up ruining good services. However, I experience little to no enshittification, probably because I don't do so-called social media, and I pay to use encrypted services, enjoy a vast selection of open-source applications, use a phone with a replaceable battery and avoid the Google search engine. Just …

An excellent article, though it seems possible there may be difficulty providing detached judgement when it comes to asking ourselves about our own consciousness and what that means. To avoid bias, maybe a solution is to ask AI. Then there's the question of whether AI can attain consciousness and, by implication, think like a human. …

Graham Lawton's excellent article on fermented foods shows how human evolution has built a strong symbiotic relationship with Earth's vast biome. Thank you for reminding us how utterly scrumptious our microbial friends can be, and how to find them for our daily intake. Even that lightly rinsed tomato fresh from the garden offers much more …

In a letter responding to the article about how our brains "swivel" towards certain sounds, Bryn Glover mentions the problem of using hearing aids in the dining area of a pub. Although I don't use hearing aids, I have this problem of my brain focusing on the louder sounds behind me, or to one side, …

I am glad to have Eric Kvaalen's support for carbon capture, but his desire to rely on biomass for this is misplaced. The main, though not the only, problem is the vast area of land that would be needed for a capture programme that would significantly reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide. Research at Imperial College has …