Feeling is a form of thinking. Both are ways of processing data, one is just faster. Daniel Kahneman’s mysterious coinages (System 1 and System 2) show how new language can help sidestep centuries of confusion.
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Bill Nye: We May Discover Life on Europa Bill Nye (The Science Guy!) describes the possibility of discovering life on Europa, arguing that we might make such a discovery in […]
It’s said that the extinction event was a turning point for mammals, allowing us to thrive and evolve. But this cataclysmic event wasn’t a boon for every mammal.
Whereas European countries were once able to tap into their history for subjects for opera, America’s never succeeded in doing the same. That problem comes in part from the decline in opera as a popular, public art form, but also perhaps from the lack of operatically epic subjects to be found in American history. Now, composer David T. Little hopes to create a modern American opera with JFK, a 2-act, 2-hour opera focusing on the life of President John F. Kennedy, whose life and death became defining moments not only for the Baby Boom generation, but also, many would suggest, the hinge upon which all American history turns for the last half century. Set to premier in 2016, JFK as a work-in-progress already raises important questions about how opera (and art in general) can approach history.
Americans are working more and sleeping less, according to a recent study. On top of that we’re devoting more time to our daily commutes as well.
We use words like “fight” and “battle” when we talk about cancer, as if it’s an enemy we can conquer if we’re strong enough. But a study shows this kind of thought may hurt chances of people taking preventative measures.
“Never try to teach a pig to read,” the saying goes. “It’s a waste of time and it annoys the pig.” But how do you know when you’re at that point? When does attempting to persuade someone do more harm than good?
Florida-based startup Magic Leap has been the talk of the tech world ever since securing a major grant from Google. Now it’s hired a respected sci-fi author to help guide their work.
Scientific studies show that people like gifts that contradict the holiday giving etiquette.
No prizes for guessing that English is the world’s lingua franca. But how good are the world’s other languages at spreading information?
Economist Larry Summers explains that there’s no better time than now for the U.S. to reinvest in its crumbling infrastructure.
A British charity profiled this week by The Guardian takes an outside-the-box approach to helping patients in mental health wards.
A new startup in Boston is helping hospitals save money by pooling resources and sharing expensive, not-often-used equipment.
This Monday, Skype launched a beta version of the program that will allow its more than 300 million monthly users to talk to each other, regardless of whether they speak the same language.
Knowing what is acceptable to say creates predictability, and predictability frees group members from worry of possibly offending those around them.
The English author’s words resonate today as violent regimes reign across the globe and the United States grapples with the findings of the Senate torture report.
The holidays mean feasts with lots of food. But how are we able to eat so much and what makes us crash after we’re full? Biologist, Christina Agapakis, has the answers.
Trying to enact change is hard, particularly when the culture you want shifted is arranged in a way that promotes the status quo.
How would you tell the story of our Universe to an 8-to-10 year old? “To begin, begin.” –William Wordsworth The Big Bang is maybe the greatest scientific achievement of the […]
Teens know about the health risks when it comes to smoking cigarettes, but they may be less educated about e-cigarettes. Studies show these electronic vapor devices are gaining popularity among youths.
Those who don’t let age get in the way of how society thinks they “should” feel may live longer. Researchers found that thinking of yourself as younger, may increase your lifespan.
Sports refs are human, however, they’re paid to be impartial during games. Researchers say if they don’t hail from a neutral place, they may let their bias get in the way, subconsciously.
“More noise occurs from a single man shouting than a hundred thousand who are quiet.”
A new report out of France suggests a link between eating chili peppers and boosted levels of testosterone, which makes men more adventurous and enterprising.
An English teacher explains why parents who want their kids to love reading need to let them choose their own books.
In 1980, Carl Sagan laid out the story of the Universe to the best of our knowledge. Here are the three biggest advances. “Our feeblest contemplations of the Cosmos stir […]
Foraging for your own food sounds like a nice idea. But without years of study, it could be quite dangerous if you’re just setting out with a romanticized view of “living off the land.”
Taste scientists are still uncertain as to how and why taste buds work the way they do, but that doesn’t mean they haven’t figured out ways to “hack” your senses.
Vivek Wadhwa walks us through innovations that will disrupt the manufacturing, communications, finance, healthcare, and energy industries.
Despite worries that inevitable automation will swallow up only low-skill jobs, one writer thinks that doctors should be legitimately concerned about the prospect of computers performing their jobs better.