John MacGaffey
Nuclear-Powered Pacemakers
Even though it might technically be safe to walk around with trace amounts of plutonium powering your heart, this is still a terrible idea, and there are two groups that really, really hated it.
Hi, I'm John.
This site hosts my writing on creating systems to sustainably grow our impact on the world.
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Featured Posts
Slipped the Surly Bonds of Earth
When the Challenger space shuttle exploded in 1986, killing all seven people on board, we turned to language, because in that moment, there was nothing else to do.
The Power of Poetry
According to Matthew Zapruder, poets and tax professionals have a lot more in common than you might think: They're both concerned with the precise meaning of language.
Recent Posts
Default to Curious
With an interest in both circus and biomechatronics, Briner is clearly a curious person.
Lean Into Failure
The easiest way to avoid blowing up a rocket is to leave it on the launch pad, but that’s not what rockets are for.
Know Your Audience
According to one park ranger, "there is a considerable overlap between the intelligence of the smartest bears and the dumbest tourists."