Things to know this week:

Apple’s white earbuds can tell you a lot about how a fad becomes a fad. Author Jonah Berger says it pays to be different, but not too different. 

We’re much closer to genetically modifying ourselves than you think. But professor Michael Bess warns that toying with our genetics could create a divide between the modified and unmodified. 

Star Wars can be used to explain anything. XKCD’s Randall Munroe talks about how Yoda helped him rescue high schoolers from boredom – and reveals more keys to presenting complicated topics in simple terms.