Guest Thinkers — August 16, 2010

ASK A SCIENCE BLOGGER: If not Science and the Media, then Public Diplomacy

What research would I be focused on if I weren’t currently studying the interactions between science, media, and politics? It would have to be the role of the news and entertainment media in shaping international public opinion about the U.S., what pundits and journalists commonly refer to as the “Anti-Americanism” problem, though the topic is much more complex than that label implies. My brother Erik, who is in graduate school at Cornell University, is actually writing his dissertation on this topic.

A black and white image of Isaiah Berlin.

Business

Do you try to avoid your boss? For Isaiah Berlin that’s a big problem

Leadership evasion might seem like a plan for workplace freedom but it isn't a good thing — it's a denial of opportunity.

Starts With A Bang

How the cosmic microwave background proves the Big Bang

In the 20th century, many options abounded as to our cosmic origins. Today, only the Big Bang survives, thanks to this critical evidence.

A realistic illustration of earth in space, bathed in sunlight with a visible blue glow from the GaiaSignatures atmosphere.

Hard Science

Gaiasignatures: A new way to search for alien life

"I hope we take a mindset where we are willing to look for weird life in weird places."

Black and white photo of an older man in a striped jacket whispering to a grinning young man in a suit.

Neuropsych

Rhyme as reason: The cognitive quirk that makes bad advice seem wise

Beer before wine and you'll feel fine? Well, it depends.

Starts With A Bang

The better way to measure cosmic time

For some reason, when we talk about the age of stars, galaxies, and the Universe, we use "years" to measure time. Can we do better?

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