Much of what we were taught in school about how to learn has been shown to be comparatively ineffective, so what actually works?
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How do you go about debating an issue with a conspiracy theorist? Political scientists say facts will end the conversation before it even begins–empathize with them if you want a meaningful discussion.
“I regard consciousness as fundamental. I regard matter as derivative from consciousness. We cannot get behind consciousness. Everything that we talk about, everything that we regard as existing, postulates consciousness.”
Antarctic penguins have had the run of the continent, isolated and unexposed to new pathogens. But a wave of tourism may be threatening penguin populations with disease.
Hugs may have healing properties (beyond making you feel warm and fuzzy). This flu season add a hug a day to your regimen–it may help lessen your cold symptoms, according to one study.
A propensity to worry indicates a strong ability to consider the past and future in precise detail, perhaps explaining why worriers also tend to be more intelligent.
Parents who buy their teens inexpensive first vehicles are putting them at higher risk of accident and injury, often because the cheapest cars are old and lacking modern safety features.
On August 21, 2017, a total solar eclipse will cross the USA. Start planning for it now. “Astronomers are greatly disappointed when, having traveled halfway around the world to see […]
In case you missed it from earlier this week, former NATO head Anders Fogh Rasmussen visited Big Think to discuss how NATO deals with terrorist threats and what the international community must do to combat ISIS.
A new study shows that while the vast majority of American teens are using Facebook, less than 10% of them trust the social media site to protect their personal information.
A peek into the archives at the New York Public Library reveals the many (often zany) search queries lobbed at librarians in the pre-internet age.
A Chicago Tribune study suggests that the city’s red light camera system, intended to make roads safer, are causing more accidents resulting in injury than before.
Scientists exploring the Mariana Trench observed on video an unknown fish species living 8,143 meters (26,713 feet) below the surface.
In case you missed it from earlier this week, economist Larry Summers visited Big Think to discuss infrastructure spending and why there’s no better time than now to perform maintenance on our roads, ports, and schools.
With its Deep Speech system, Chinese search giant Baidu claims to have created one of the most advanced and successful speech recognition programs in the world.
American-born Buddhist monk Hwansan Sunim has written a series of articles with instructions and advice on how to meditate in various everyday postures and positions.
The sole purpose of a résumé or CV is to sell one’s expertise to a hiring manager. Losing track of this aim will inevitably lead to a lackluster résumé.
Investigative journalist Eric Schlosser shares the chilling history of myriad Americans who have at one time or another had the authority to launch nuclear weapons.
“Washing one’s hands of the conflict between the powerful and the powerless means to side with the powerful, not to be neutral.”
The holiday season is a zone of attrition in which a lot of folks get dumped by their significant others. In a post from earlier today, Alice Pfeiffer of The Guardian says to let your wardrobe help you through your breakup.
The revelation that Santa Claus is more an idea than a man can be a major turning point in a child’s life. Is he a “training-wheels Jesus” or a way to introduce children to cynical disillusionment?
Daniel Dennett: An Introduction to Intuition Pumps Daniel Dennett, one of the best-known living philosophers and a professor at Tufts University, believes it’s time to unmask the philosopher’s art and […]
In today’s Washington Post, a successful writer and former teacher offers a simple quiz for teachers to determine whether they’re cut out for the position.
The Universe looks bizarre: a plethora of galaxies, many clusters, but very little bigger than that. What made it so? “We are incredibly heedless in the formation of our beliefs, […]
Religion can be an uncomfortable topic for some people to discuss, especially with co-workers. Researchers say, hiding part of your identity may be damaging your mental well-being and office relationships.
A good leader surrounds him- or herself with the brightest team possible.
Websites aren’t just bits of information floating in nothingness until appearing on a computer screen. They can have significant environmental impacts that ought not go unchecked.
Extroverts received the harshest evaluations from introverts, who consistently undervalued their outspoken coworkers’ abilities and contributions.
“Good science and good art are always about a condition of awe … I don’t think there is any other function for the poet or the scientist in the human tribe but the astonishment of the soul.”
Reported cases of chickenpox, measles, mumps, and whooping cough are in the news. The keys to preventing their spread include vaccination and keeping away from communicable individuals.