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How Will the World Really End?
Predictions about the end of the world have been around since...well, the beginning of the world. But setting aside the warnings of apocalyptic prophets, technophobes, and assorted other Chicken Littles, what are the most plausible scenarios for humanity's demise? How will Earth, and the universe, die out? And how soon? In a special series this week, Big Think asks a paleontologist, an astrophysicist, a nuclear terrorism expert, and other distinguished guests what doomsday might actually be like.
Part 1 of 10
Astronomer and Astrophysicist, Villanova University
A nearby star system may “go supernova” in 10 million years—far sooner than scientists once predicted. The resulting explosion would “outshine the galaxy,” not to mention kill life on Earth.
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Getting Behind the Wheel of Change
Implementing a new system of shared urban mobility is going to take serious behavioral modification. Watch
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How the Legal System Perpetuates Injustice
One of the most depressing ironies of America’s legal system is that, in a country that values “freedom” and “equality,” it clings to a rigid model of human behavior that is blind to the situational forces at play in the choices people make. Watch
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When Bobos Became Downright Oppressive
As the sociologist explains, taste is manufactured socially, through whole groups. And when a certain, latte-loving class of people begins to overtake a community, it stifles neighboring populations both culturally and economically. Watch
Featured Blogs
Trend World
March 13, 2010 — 12:05 PM
Can New Green Building Codes Clear Up the Confusion?
With billions of dollars already invested in clean-energy jobs and manufacturing, the green revolution remains a work-in-progress. But while plenty of tax credits appear to be going to the right place, the lack of cohesive green regulations is making the whole concept a little elusive. But a new series of green building codes could finally be ushering in the kind of change many people have been waiting for. Read more
Picture This
March 13, 2010 — 11:58 AM
Root Canal: “Prendergast in Italy” at the MFA Houston
In 1882, American novelist Henry James concluded that there was “nothing more to be said” about Venice, Italy. Artists of all stripes had trod and sloshed through the streets and canals so long that opportunities for saying something new had, he felt, dried up entirely. Yet, in 1900, Maurice Prendergast exhibited a series of watercolors painted of Venice that made a giant splash in the American art world and cleared a path for a new wave of American modernism. Prendergast in Italy, an exhibition at the Museum of Fine Art, Houston, brings together these watery landmarks to recreate a seminal moment in American modern art and to rescue a great artist from drowning in the depths of obscurity. Read more
Picture This
March 13, 2010 — 10:58 AM
Big Shaq Attack: “Size Does Matter” at The FLAG Art Foundation
When competing for the ever-shrinking entertainment dollar in this ever-struggling economy, art museums and galleries compete to find bigger and better gimmicks to catch the public eye. In the new exhibition Size Does Matter at The FLAG Art Foundation, they may have come up with the biggest gimmick yet—all 7’1” and 320 pounds of the one and only Shaquille O'Neal, basketball superstar and larger-than-life American icon. FLAG asked Shaq to curate a show with the theme of bigger (and sometimes smaller) is better. The results are surprisingly good. At the very least, FLAG has set a record for the biggest curator ever—one that may never be topped. Read more
Mind Matters
March 12, 2010 — 9:00 PM
New Report: Small Habits' Big Impact On Climate
In the 20th century, the greatest threats to civilization arose out of ecstatic emotions, especially when they united thousands of people. The last century's true believers rallied, wept and sang about superhuman faith, overwhelming feeling, single decisions that changed their lives and the world. They quivered to think of their heroes, who had "the power to raise up broken hearts and despairing souls." They believed that History was calling. Read more
Novel Copy
March 12, 2010 — 7:32 PM
This Wednesday a federal judge ruled that the congressional bill, passed last year by both houses, which barred the community organizing group ACORN from receiving federal funds amounted to a bill of attainder and was therefore unconstitutional. Read more
Daily Ideafeed
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Aid Workers Settlement
9/11 Justice - Though a settlement has been awarded to the 9/11 search and rescue workers suffering illnesses from the toxic rubble of the World Trade Centers, there remain obstacles to the payout.
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Maps of Cycling Trails
Google Bike - Google Maps now allows you to search for the best cycling route to your destination in over 150 American cities filtering results by route safety and the presence of cycling lanes.
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Ulysses' Legacy
Regan on the $50? - The Chicago Tribune disavows Illinois' own Ulysses S. Grant in an editorial arguing to replace the Civil War general and President's image on the fifty dollar bill with Ronald Regan's.
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Treatment Ruled Safe
Autism and Vaccines - A Federal judge has ruled that there is no causal relationship between a mercury-containing agent used in vaccines and the occurrence of autism in those who have been vaccinated.
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Sex in Marriage
Infidelity as Bonding? - Julie Powell, author of Julie & Julia, writes in today's Guardian that there is a light at the end of infidelity's dark tunnel if partners are willing to overcome societal pressures to split.
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Alcohol and Health
"Double Whammy" - A new study shows that being overweight doubles the effect of alcohol on the liver, substantially increasing the likelihood of contracting diseases like cirrhosis.
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Large Hadron Collider
Big Bang Fears - The world's biggest physics experiment will suffer another setback in two years time when it is expected to be shut down for repairs, pushing full operating capacity back another year.
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Bipartisanship
Baby and Bathwater - The obstinate divide over healthcare reform is spilling into other areas of domestic policy such as immigration reform and financial regulation where Democrats are increasingly going it alone.
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Medical Reform
Healthcare Finale? - President Obama has delayed his visit to Asia to push for a vote on healthcare reform here at home before the Congress takes its Easter recess at the end of the month.
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Israeli Settlements
Peace in Pieces - Secretary Clinton has warned Israel of faltering relations over its gutsy announcement to build new settlements in Jerusalem during a visit by Vice President Biden.
