December 10, 2012

Big Ideas for December 10th

bigthinkeditor

Quote of the day:

“We have art in order not to die of the truth.” – Friedrich Nietzsche

Today’s Big Ideas:

The National Intelligence Council’s New Report, by Ali Wyne

The World WON’T End. And Neither Will Superstitions, by David Ropeik

Lessons from TED on the dangers of pseudoscience, by Neurobonkers

Would You Save This Man’s Life? The Bystander Effect Revisited, by Daniel Honan

The Moral Importance of Fiction and Literature, by Tauriq Moosa

What not to read today:

Kim Kardashian’s Cat Dies

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?

A technician in a clean suit inspects a large, segmented, hexagonal mirror inside a circular gray structure.

Hard Science

Why a James Webb Space Telescope mystery doesn’t (necessarily) break cosmology

The JWST's observations of well-developed galaxies early in universal history may coincide with accepted astronomical theory after all.

A book titled "Cultures of Growth" by Mary C. Murphy lying on a dark blue fabric surface.

Business

“Cultures of growth”: How small changes can build stronger, more successful teams

Psychologist Mary C. Murphy explains why growth-mindset teams outperform those centered around a lone genius.

Starts With A Bang

The Universe might never run out of hydrogen

The most common element in the Universe, vital for forming new stars, is hydrogen. But there's a finite amount of it; what if we run out?

Abstract monochrome sketch of two figures, one with head bowed and the other looking downward, conveying a contemplative or somber mood, suggestive of the Chiron effect.

Neuropsych

The Chiron effect: Are “wounded healers” better healers?

Sometimes you just want to hear, "I know what it's like."

Up Next

Politics & Current Affairs

Massive French Open-Air Protest Site Holds Fast

On Tuesday a judge will decide whether to authorize yet another round of evictions from a forest north of Nantes that is home to a growing number of international squatters protesting plans for a proposed airport.