Words of Wisdom — June 10, 2014

Descartes on Doubt

“If you would be a real seeker after truth, it is necessary that at least once in your life you doubt, as far as possible, all things.” – Rene Descartes

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A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

“If you would be a real seeker after truth, it is necessary that at least once in your life you doubt, as far as possible, all things.” – Rene Descartes

A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

A black and white image of a curled fern leaf is centered on a black background with faint, star-like specks, capturing an ethereal beauty reminiscent of Sara Walker's scientific explorations.

13.8

A bold challenge to the orthodox definition of life

In “Life As No One Knows It,” Sara Imari Walker explains why the key distinction between life and other kinds of “things” is how life uses information.

Black and white illustration of people in 18th-century attire at a dining table, overlaid with red-orange borders and white arrows indicating interaction among the individuals.

Thinking

Everyday Philosophy: Is it better to debate people or shrug and drink wine?

If philosophers really enjoy one thing, it’s a good debate — but not an argument.

Business

How to free yourself from “hindsight bias”

Josh Kaufman — best-selling author of entrepreneurial classic “The Personal MBA” — explores an essential truth about all decision-making.

Rearview mirror reflecting the aftermath of an explosion against a backdrop of a clear, partly cloudy sky, capturing the essence of a hindsight dilemma.

Business

5 ways leaders can solve the “hindsight dilemma”

Four startup founders explain how to derive lessons from the past while still looking ahead to what’s possible.

A large circular particle accelerator with several cables and machines is where engineers work inside and around the structure. The facility, dedicated to solving the muon g-2 anomaly, has platforms and specialized equipment surrounding the central structure.

Starts With A Bang

New theoretical calculation solves the “muon g-2” puzzle

A longstanding mismatch between theory and experiment motivated an exquisite muon measurement. At last, a theoretical solution has arrived.

Up Next

Technology & Innovation

Chatbot Is First Computer to Pass the Turing Test

British computing luminary Alan Turing predicted that by the year 2000, computers would be able to engage humans in conversation while seeming more like fellow humans than computers.