Guest Thinkers — December 21, 2010

Soldiers killed in Abyan

Saba and 26September are reporting that four soldiers have been killed in an ambush in Abyan. Tracking this as to culpability, but it seems that violence has been ratcheting up, almost to the point of being a normal state (in a manner of speaking).

Two people walking past a dark brick wall with numerous security cameras pointing in various directions.

The Present

Are smart cities a wise idea?

When Google runs a smart city, who owns the data?

Illustration of a young woman with closed eyes, smiling, next to a large, detailed eye and surrounded by vibrant, abstract elements and smiley faces.

Neuropsych

Eyes wide shut: Why psychedelic trips intensify with eyes closed

Visual stimuli, like watching videos, can diminish the potentially therapeutic effects of psychedelics, recent research suggests.

Starts With A Bang

The big idea of Grand Unified Theories of physics

If the electromagnetic and weak forces unify to make the electroweak force, maybe, at higher energies, something even grander happens?

Microscopic image of a small electronic component with clear details of its structure and connections against a gray background.

The Future

Making microbots smart

What would it take to create a truly intelligent microbot, one that can operate independently?

Four-panel collage of historical philosophers in various artistic styles, including a sculpture, a sketch, and two realistic portraits.

Thinking

4 philosophers on how to live a happy life

From Taoism to hedonism, philosophers have devised all sorts of ways to live your best life.

Up Next

Guest Thinkers

New America Foundation Event

The New America Foundation is about to have a discussion on Yemen, which can be streamed live here. Barak Barfi will be presenting his paper, it seems, and then there […]