Hello and welcome to the Intelligence from the Economist.

In New York, I'm John Fassman.

Every weekday we provide a fresh perspective on the events shaping your world.

It's one of the oldest human questions.

Is there life beyond Earth?

So far, the answer has been no.

Scientists have used ever more powerful tools to search ever further, but recently they've

begun to expand what they're looking for, not just where they look.

And video games can let the average desk jockey become a soldier, ninja, starship commander,

or, of course, a hard-headed Italian plumber.

But they can also simulate mundane tasks.

Anyone up for a game of digital cubicle sitting or power washing?

First up, though.

The mass shooting at an elementary school in Yovaldé Texas last month was the latest in a

long line of American school massacres.

19 children and two teachers lost their lives at the hands of an 18-year-old gunman armed

with a powerful assault rifle.

Is this carnage finally galvanizing political action?

Matthew McConaughey, an actor who grew up in Yovaldé, expressed hope for change at

a White House briefing following the shooting at which he told stories of the children killed.

This moment is different.

We are in a window of opportunity right now that we have not been in before.

...