Why it matters: The SATs have been criticized for a plethora of logistical problems and for fostering socioeconomic bias. A move toward an all-digital format, a shorter test time and access to calculators could help the test retain relevance as the US education system adapts to the evolving needs of students. The shift comes as more colleges and universities eschew the exams as a prerequisite for admissions.
Why it matters: Regular "Jeopardy!" viewers know that teachers, students, lawyers and librarians tend to do well on the show -- but lately, computer scientists have been racking up wins in a big way. The most notable has been Amy Schneider, who now ranks second behind only Ken Jennings for consecutive wins with 39. Schneider surpassed computer science Ph.D. student Matt Amodio, who won 38 straight games earlier this season. Other computer scientists say that their field's focus on solving problems and making connections between ideas is ideal for getting "Jeopardy!" questions right. Maybe Schneider and Amodio will inspire more computer scientists to try out for "Jeopardy!" -- or get more people interested in the field. -- Cathy (the WYWW "Jeopardy!" expert and two-time champion, who took one computer science class in college and liked it)
Why it matters: As we mentioned last time we covered the latest news on the James Webb Space Telescope, the potential for what we could learn about the universe is directly tied to the success of this mission. And there's a lot of small things that could've easily caused this mission to fail. But with its arrival at its observation post, we're another step closer to unlocking many secrets of outer space.
Why it matters: If you've ever watched "The Great British Bake Off" and thought, "There's no way this could get any better," you would be resoundingly wrong. Because between July 22 and Aug. 6, the Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham, England, will be putting on a comedic musical based on the hit Netflix show. I have a feeling this will be better than many of the past musicals based on TV shows (sorry, SpongeBob).
Why it matters: If you've been on a walk or run at any point during the pandemic, there's a high likelihood you've come across discarded face masks on the ground. David Papineau, a runner in Vancouver, British Columbia, has picked up and disposed of 25,000 masks, and he's on a mission to reach 30,000 by the end of March. Papineau isn't alone in his quest for rubbish. Apparently there's a whole trend known as plogging, where runners collect trash during their runs and then share photos of their excursions on TikTok.
Why it matters: Here's a fun idea for a Hollywood thriller -- a Miami-bound luxury cruise ship with hundreds of people on board makes a detour to the Bahamas to avoid being seized as part of a lawsuit over unpaid fuel. Too unrealistic? Well, it's already happened. Crystal Cruises, the company operating the ship, has a Hong Kong-based parent company preparing for liquidation after seeing its business implode during the pandemic.
Why it matters: As AI becomes demystified across many industries, many wonder what the best application of it is. We hear a lot about the use of AI to boost productivity or streamline tasks. But rarely do we see the argument that AI can be leveraged to enhance emotional intelligence. It's an interesting idea, particularly as concerns grow over AI bias.
Why it matters: Remember that app that could turn your iPhone into a pretend beer mug? One of its developers, Steve Sheraton, says the app used to make $10,000 to $20,000 each day. However, its popularity faded amid legal troubles and as consumers gradually began expecting more from their apps. It makes you wonder how much it will take to keep our attention 20 years from now.
There is a WYWW playlist to keep track of all the songs listed in this space. Enjoy!
About the Editors
Evan Milberg
I manage and edit SmartBrief newsletters and custom content covering construction and engineering. I also fill in for Sean on WYWW.
Many thanks to SmartBrief's resident Jeopardy! expert, Cathy Guiles, for contributing to today's brief. I'm personally rooting extra hard for Amy Schneider.
If you like WYWW, hate WYWW or have any fun stories or pictures to share, shoot me an email.
