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  • FUTURES

Curiosity shop

A helping hand.
By
  1. Robert Dawson

    1. Robert Dawson teaches mathematics at Saint Mary’s University, Halifax, Canada. His work has appeared in Nature Futures, as well as numerous other publications.

A computer-generated figure with small wings on its back leans against a circuit board as it draws a bow and arrow.

Illustration: Jacey

Letta stepped into the village store and looked around. It was surprisingly modern: real order booths, just like back in Edmonton, although only four of them. But what could you expect in a place with, what was it, 380 inhabitants? Herself now included? The nearest booth was empty; she sat down on the worn blue pleather seat. Her head entered the booth’s noise-control zone with a sudden silence, like a scarf wrapped around her ears.

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doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-023-03893-8

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