There’s no such thing as a theory that’s too beautiful to be wrong, if it doesn’t agree with experiment. The history of physics is filled with great ideas that you’ve […]
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When we think about the birth of the Universe, was time already in place? When we look at the Universe today, we know with an extraordinary amount of scientific certainty that […]
There are only two perfect numbers that fit on the calendar: 6 and 28, making June 28th Perfect Number Day. Find out what makes a number perfect, and why they matter. […]
Talking about climate change doesn’t have to be an argument over Thanksgiving dinner. Some people, though maybe not all, can be persuaded.
If you think it expanded faster than light-speed, you need to read this. If the Universe is 13.8 billion years old, and the speed of light is truly our cosmic speed […]
A much-needed “causal revolution” has arrived in Judea Pearl’s ‘The Book of Why’. But despite vast improvements over “trad stats”, there’s cause for concern over logic-losing numbers.
The reason why reveals a near-universal difference in the academic strengths of each sex.
America’s loneliness epidemic must be confronted. There’s much to be gained by fostering social connectivity, from boosting our immune systems to potentially reducing extremism.
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And if they exist, are there alternate-reality versions of you out there, too? You’ve likely imagined it before: another Universe out there, just like this one, where all the random events […]
The most valuable college majors will prepare students for a world right out a science fiction novel.
If particles weren’t also waves, the Sun would never achieve nuclear fusion. Without quantum mechanics, life on Earth would never have come to exist. The greatest source of newly-produced energy in […]
Brett Kavanaugh and Christine Blasey Ford testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday, one day before the Senate is set to vote on Kavanaugh’s confirmation to the Supreme Court.
They seem almost indistinguishable in some regards, but only one of them represents our physical Universe. When it comes to describing the physical world, we can do it anecdotally, as […]
The best self-directed learners use these seven habits to improve their knowledge and skills in any subject.
New principled approach helps autonomous underwater vehicles explore the ocean in an intelligent, energy-efficient manner.
These great thinkers remind us that taking an unpopular, bold stance might not be madness.
You can learn good design through these books. Most of which is avoiding bad design.
Flat Earth theory has enjoyed staying power since at least the 19th century despite being patently untrue. Neil deGrasse Tyson, the late Carl Sagan, Bill Nye the Science Guy, and other big thinkers will show you how to disprove this bad idea, all without having to take a journey into space.
Binary stars and common envelope evolution illustrate messy but “tasty” science.
A fresh take on the decades-old Drake equation incorporates new factors and greater uncertainty, suggesting a high likelihood that humanity is alone in the universe.
Once a lucrative exercise anyone could do, bitcoin mining has grown out of control, and governments are weighing what to do.
The FIRE movement believes frugality is key to retiring in your 30s; others think the movement is about privilege more than prudence.
Why do some smart folk spout such bad ideas? Marilynne Robinson says it’s because we teach them “higher twaddle.” She’s right, but the situation is worse than she fears.
The human brain is an incredible marvel of evolution. But what’s even more incredible is how this supercomputer in your head is able to occasionally make such dumb mistakes.
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A new conception of quantum mechanics rests on the idea that parallel universes exist, and that they interact with our own to create weird and wonderful quantum phenomena.
It’s been said that string theory physicist Michio Kaku believes in God, but the truth is it depends on what “God” means.
Ten days before he died, Stephen Hawking published a final paper with a way to prove or disprove the multiverse.
Dammit, Spock, can your cold, calculating reason fathom the mysteries of the human heart?
New research on the hypothalamus shows that body heat matters.
Facebook announces a new unit of time called the “flick” that simplifies the creation of VR content.