You'll Soon Be Able to Manufacture Anything You Want and Governments Will Be Powerless to Stop It
From DIY guns to designer drugs, classic-car parts, and human livers, 3D printing promises a dynamic and uncontrollable world.
Science & Technology
Sucking Carbon Dioxide from the Air to Produce Gasoline?
Carbon-neutral transportation fuels might be possible.
Theranos, Elizabeth Holmes, and the Cult of Silicon Valley
In Bad Blood, Wall Street Journal reporter John Carreyrou explains why Silicon Valley's mystique makes suckers out of billionaires.
Don't Blame the Minimum Wage for Those Self-Service Kiosks at McDonald's
Government-mandated price hikes do a lot of things. Spurring technological innovation is not one of them.
Freaking Out Over 'Designer Babies,' Again
An NPR report on "three-parent babies" in Ukraine provokes bioethical handwringing.
There's 'No Evidence That Having Sex With Robots Is Healthy' and No Evidence That It's Not
There's just no evidence about sex robots period, because at present they don't really exist. But that hasn't stopped folks from freaking out...
5 Years After Snowden, Has Anything Changed?
The government still snoops on its own citizens, but we're more aware of it-and we can push back.
3 Steps to Buy and Store Bitcoins Anonymously
A handful of best practices can go a long way toward shielding your transactions from government spies and other malevolents.
When You're Done Reading This Issue of Reason, You Might Want to Burn It
We offer how-tos, personal stories, and guides for all kinds of activities that can and do happen right at the borders of legally permissible behavior.
Personal Encryption 101
A beginner's guide to protecting your messages, masking online movements, and steering clear of digital snoops
Eighteen Is Old Enough for War But Not Sexting, Say Ohio Lawmakers
The House Criminal Justice Committee just voted unanimously in favor of a bill to ban sexting by anyone under age 19.
Roseanne's Racist Tweet Leads Almost Immediately to Show's Cancellation
The show navigated a fascinating complicated world of ideological diversity. Its star was not so adept.
Why Can't Anyone Get Their Immigration Facts Straight?: Podcast
The president and his detractors both bungle scare stories in the outrage-politics contest that passes for our immigration policy debate.
Is the FBI Trying to Bolster Its War on Cryptography?
Was their miscount of unlockable phones truly a mistake or part of an agenda?
Don't Worry About That Diet Soda Habit: Artificial Sweeteners Are Harmless, Say Scientists
After years of being blamed for weight gain and metabolic issues, zero-calorie sweeteners and the drinks they flavor are being absolved.
CNN's Mary Katharine Ham Loves Waffle House, Isn't So Sure About Twitter: Podcast
A conversation about social media, privacy, and the public-private, left-right free speech fight
Australia Attempts to Fight Tobacco Black Markets by Banning Large Cash Transactions
This will hurt innocent people. It may harm legal businesses. And it won't actually work.
Let's Not Blame Tech Tools if This Sheriff Illegally Violated People's Privacy
Government, not private companies, is supposed to provide oversight over police behavior.
The Battle of Ideas Turns Coercive
Too many people (and governments) want to shut down and punish speech they disagree with.
Europe's New Data Privacy Rules Will Make Facebook and Google More Powerful
The EU's GDPR should serve as a cautionary tale for Americans eager to reign in tech titans
Start-Ups Make Cheap Alternative to Braces, Dental Trade Groups Cry for Regulation
"This is a disruptive innovation, which is why you're seeing protectionist policies being put into action."
Westworld Season Two Is a Parable About Corporate Data Collection
The HBO series turns Facebook and Twitter into a theme park filled with sex, violence, and robots.
Police Body Cameras May Get Facial Recogntion
One of America's largest body camera suppliers has expressed interest in the technology.
Is This Prom Dress an Act of Cultural Appropriation?
Social media can actually be pretty good at hosting heated conversations about racism and sexism.
The Golden State Killer and Your Genetic Privacy
Do you have a reasonable expectation of genetic privacy under the Fourth Amendment?
How The Simpsons Fights Fake News: Podcast
Journalism prof Michael Socolow has three simple rules to up your social-media literacy.
She Posted Rap Lyrics to Remember a Dead Teen, So the U.K. Prosecuted Her for Hate Speech
Why all Americans should be thankful for the First Amendment
How To Talk to People Who Think You're Evil and/or Insane: Podcast
A special all-female edition of the Reason Podcast
Dr. Helen Fisher on How Brain Chemistry Determines Personality and Politics
Is the libertarian mind a product of elevated dopamine and testosterone?
Russia Bans Telegram, a Popular Encrypted Messaging App
"Privacy is not for sale, and human rights should not be compromised out of fear or greed."
Comey Acknowledges Screwing Up in Encryption Fight, But He Still Doesn't Grasp the Issue
The former FBI director recognizes his criticism of Apple was "thoughtless," but he doesn't see the underlying problem with seeking cybersecurity back doors.
Backpage Plea to Texas Sex Trafficking Charge Turns On CEO's Admission to Brokering Adult Prostitution
Backpage CEO Carl Ferrer turned over the company and seven other executives in exchange for leniency.
Your Lobster Leftovers Could Serve up a Substitute for Plastics
Could animal chitin lead to a new tech revolution?
Silicon Valley's Dangerous Political Blind Spots
Will the lack of ideological diversity doom big tech companies?
What Should Have Happened at the Facebook Hearing
Congress doesn't have the best track record on privacy rights.
Mark Zuckerberg vs. Silicon Valley's Richard Hendricks: Why Facebook 'Welcomes' Regulation
HBO's hit sitcom about the tech industry lights a real-world path to a better internet.
Writing Sex Offender Laws Based on Fake Recidivism Numbers Is Rational, Court Says
The Illinois Supreme Court unanimously upholds a law banning sex offenders from public parks.
Before People Fretted About Fake Videos, People Fretted About Fake Photographs
Do deepfakes really represent "the collapse of reality"?
Ben Sasse Asked Mark Zuckerberg Whether He Defines Hate Speech Like College Students Do
"You used language of safety and protection earlier. We see this happening on college campuses all across the country."
Before Busybodies Opposed Home Genome Testing, They Fought Against Home Pregnancy Tests
History shows we have everything to gain from knowing more about our bodies.
Americans Can't Stand Each Other, So Let's Stop Forcing Our Preferences on One Another
If you want to avoid conflict among hostile groups, decentralize power-preferably to individuals.
Why You Shouldn't Want Congress To Regulate Facebook & Other Social Media
We need to up our media literacy game, not delegate responsibility to politicians who have no idea what they're doing.
