Culture & Religion — August 7, 2014

Free Hi-Res Maps Courtesy of New York Public Library

According to Open Culture, the New York Public Library just made 20,000 hi-res images of old maps available online. And they’re free! Find your new wall art here.

bigthinkeditor

A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

According to Open Culture, the New York Public Library just made 20,000 hi-res images of old maps available online. And they’re free! Find your new wall art here.

A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

Collage of social media icons and pixelated images in a grid layout, featuring Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook logos on a red background.

The Present

Internet freedom is fading in the new era of social control

“The evolution of digital media makes stricter regulation of online behavior not only feasible but inevitable,” writes media ecologist Andrey Mir.

A man holding a transparent rectangular object up to his eyes, reminiscent of the analytical gaze of Robert and Frank Oppenheimer.

The Past

The atomic bomb, exile and a test of brotherly bonds: Robert and Frank Oppenheimer

A rift in thinking about who should control powerful new technologies sent the brothers on diverging paths. For one, the story ended with a mission to bring science to the public.

A machine is moving down a conveyor belt in a warehouse.

Health

Inside the bank holding biodata of 500,000 Brits

Britain is profiling the genes, health and lifestyles of its citizens and handing the results to scientists across the world.

A collage highlighting disinformation with a fake ear.

The Learning Curve

Disarming disinformation: How to understand and counter the “post-truth playbook”

Philosopher Lee McIntyre discusses the dangers of disinformation, how such falsehoods spread, and what we can do about it.

A stack of rocks sitting on top of each other.

The Learning Curve

Nagomi: The Japanese philosophy of finding balance in a turbulent life

Nagomi helps us find balance in discord by unifying the elements of life while staying true to ourselves.

Up Next

Words of Wisdom

Bill Nye on Climate Change Deniers

“Tectonic plates move and that’s a fact and the world is getting warmer because of human activity. That’s a fact. If you had somebody who really strongly believed the earth was flat, you wouldn’t have to have that person on a television show with the people who believe the earth is round.” – Bill Nye