Populations are on the move, as the recent clamourings over immigration demonstrate. And it’s a trend that’s set to continue, as climate change and the depletion of natural resources start rendering some regions impossible to inhabit. The Center for Climate Systems Research has produced a predictive map to show how population densities will have changed by 2025, and some of the results are quite unexpected.

Technology Review takes a break from reviewing technology, and has a crack at science fiction instead. Without too much hyperbole, they accurately sum up Vernor Vinge’s ‘Rainbows End’ and place it in context – although carefully skating around the intended implications of the ‘secure hardware environment’ idea, and what it represents metaphorically. If you have any love for science fiction whatsoever, you really need to read this book.

The SpaceX private spaceflight outfit are hard at work, unperturbed by mishaps with their Falcon1 rocket back in March. They’re elbow-deep in putting together the first Falcon9 booster rocket, they have ten launches booked up, and predictions indicate they may be cash-flow positive before the year is out.

People from all walks of life and all arenas of employment know of the mighty versatility and adhesive problem-solving powers of duct tape (or ‘gaffa tape’ as we call it over here in the UK). I’ve seen it used to fix cars, computers, stereos, public address systems, furniture, shoes, and much much more. But I never thought I’d hear of it being used to re-attach a spacewalking astronaut’s jetpack. If that doesn’t make it into their ad copy, nothing will.

I’m no food purist, and I’m really happy there’s a booming market for organic foods in the United States, but I have to admit that part of what makes organic goods satisfying to purchase is the knowledge that my dollar is going to fund businesses in my community. Imported organic foods are still a net benefit to the world’s ecology over conventionally grown foods, but the carbon burden of shipping (for example) organic almonds from Spain is definitely something to consider. Not to mention the improved quality of fresh picked local produce: the organic section at Safeway can’t compete with my local farmer’s market for taste and freshness.