For as long as surfing has existed, surfers have been obsessed with finding the perfect wave.
This hunt has taken surfers from tropical coastlines to icebergs, but these days the search can also take place closer to home. At least that’s the vision put forth by developers and boosters of the growing surf pool industry, fueled by advances in wave generation technology that have created artificial waves that surfers actually want to ride.
But there’s a problem. Some of these swimming pools are in drought-stricken areas and face fierce local opposition. At the heart of this fight is a question that is also at the heart of sport. How much will it cost to find or create the perfect wave now, and who will have to endure it? Read the full story.
—Eileen Guo
This story appears in the upcoming print edition of MIT Technology Review, which explores the topic of play. It will be broadcast on Wednesday, June 26th, so if you haven’t participated yet, subscribe Now get your copy when it arrives.
What Happened When 20 Comedians Used AI to Write Their Routines?
AI is good at many things, including finding patterns in data, creating fantastic images, and condensing thousands of words into just a few paragraphs. But can it be a useful tool for writing comedy?
