In a significant stride towards sustainable eating, a startup named Joyn is championing the concept of “blended meat”—a fusion of plant-based proteins with traditional meats. During a tasting event in 2025, Jeff Dodge served students meatballs that were a hit; 92% of the participants expressed a desire to see them on the menu. Unbeknownst to many, the meatballs contained a secret ingredient: mushrooms. Joyn’s innovative product, 50/Cut, is designed to tackle one of the pressing challenges of the climate crisis by encouraging a reduction in red meat consumption, particularly beef. This approach aligns with the idea that enhancing meat quality can effectively substitute for its quantity, thus appealing to health-conscious consumers and environmentally-minded individuals alike.
Meanwhile, advancements in medical technology are making strides in restoring vision for those suffering from age-related macular degeneration (AMD). A new system called PRIMA combines a retinal implant with specially designed glasses equipped with a camera. This innovative solution targets patients with geographic atrophy, a severe form of AMD that leads to the deterioration of retinal cells. After undergoing training, over 80% of participants reported improvements in their ability to read and engage in daily activities, marking a pivotal development in vision restoration technology.
Additionally, the concept of the “agentic web,” introduced by Tim Berners-Lee, is gaining traction with the rise of AI agents capable of simplifying our online interactions. This new era of the internet is characterized by autonomous software that can manage tasks ranging from organizing emails to making purchases, potentially transforming how we navigate the digital landscape. As these technologies continue to evolve, they promise to redefine user experiences on the web, raising questions about the future of human interaction in an increasingly automated world.
Source: The Download: blended meat, restored sight, and the agentic web via MIT Technology Review