A Japanese inventor has created a machine that turns ordinary plastic waste into oil. The oil can be used as an engine lubricant or further refined to make gasoline, diesel and kerosene.
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“Not every investor is trembling with anxiety over the next financial blowup. Some are embracing the market’s volatility—and constructing portfolios to profit from it.”
A history professor at Boston University says the Iraq War is far from over. “The war launched to achieve regime change in Baghdad metastasized into three wars.” None of which are over, he says.
The government of Chile is recruiting American entrepreneurs to spend six months starting a business in Santiago, offering each candidate $40,000 and a one-year visa to the country.
New York Times journalist Andrew Sorkin discusses his take on the Wall Street crash, whether financial CEOs are evil, the future of journalism and how business is likely to change in the future.
Michael Kinsley at The Atlantic vents his frustration over political polls that entitle people to their often ludicrously incorrect opinions and ask questions fit only for experts.
I just had to sign a loyalty oath as a condition of my employment at a California state university. The California constitution requires all state employees to sign the oath. […]
Christopher Hitchens’ column this month in Vanity Fairreflects the best of the writer’s intellect and prose. Upon learning of his cancer diagnosis, Hitch writes: “My father had died, and very […]
Today and tomorrow I’ll hopefully make peace with my curiosity about WikiLeaks and the accusation that it disclosed the names and locations of Afghan informants serving the U.S. and coalition […]
This morning I posted on a fascinating forthcoming study that concludes that generalized messages about science are more impactful on audiences than similarly framed messages that include details on scientific […]
Over at Dr. Kaku’s Universe here at Big Think, Michio asks for reader input on what they find compelling about science fiction including as I focused on yesterday, your favorite […]
When attempting to communicate effectively with the public about a science-related debate, which is more important, framing the message or conveying science-based facts about the topic? A forthcoming study (Word) […]
The corruption of U.S. financial markets, whose CEOs habitually buy up expensive art, is mirrored by an unregulated art market where it is difficult to tell between hoax and truth.
Do psychological diseases have a shelf life? “The idea of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) as a credible diagnostic term has passed and it is time that we accept that and move on.”
“Everyone looks better after you’ve tipped back a pint or two, and now we may know why.” Discovery News says that our ability to detect facial symmetry—a metric of beauty—diminishes.
Slate reports on why we love us a good summer scandal, whether its Gibson or Blago: “If communities are enclaves of shared norms, then scandals are what consolidate a community.”
From commercial airplanes whose exhaust trails are secret experiments in weather control to the New Jewish World Order behind the Federal Reserve, everyone is out to get the paranoid Right.
“Scientists suggest that some psychedelics are remarkably good at treating disorders like depression and may now have a clue as to why.” Studies on psychedelics may create new treatments.
“While America’s super-rich congratulate themselves on donating billions to charity, the rest of the country is worse off than ever.” Der Spiegel reports on the rising rich-poor gap in the U.S.
“Scientists are increasingly worried about the amount of debris orbiting the Earth.” The Economist says the number of potential collisions among space satellites has doubled in the last decade.
Are our cities making us unhappy? The diversity of plant life surrounding us affects several quality of life metrics such as the ability to concentrate, relax and make major life decisions.
When cultural practices deny people equal access to rights such as education, physical and emotional well-being, we must cease to tolerate difference under the guise of multiculturalism.
I’m working on a new project and would love to hear some of your thoughts and opinions on the world of Science Fiction. If you would like to participate — Please […]
I always used to laugh at people who ignored the lyrics to “Every Breath You Take” by The Police and thought it was a lovely love song. If it’s about […]
Last week public radio’s On Point called upon a group of experts to discuss the top 10 science fiction films of all time. Included on the show were the NY […]
Bloomberg reports this week that News Corp., which own both Fox News and the Wall Street Journal, donated $1 million to the Republican Governors Association in June—a contribution that dwarfs […]
Richard Pildes, professor of constitutional law at the NYU School of Law, says primary elections exacerbate political polarization. He thinks we should replace them with instant-runoff voting.
Polygamy is alive and well in parts of America. According to researchers at Brigham Young University, there are 30,000 to 50,000 people currently living a polygamist lifestyle in the United […]
By now you’ve probably heard about Fox News’ parent corporation giving a million dollars to the Republican Governors Association. Noteworthy, but not necessarily surprising. While leafing through the RGA’s IRS […]
There is a big difference between manners and good taste, says interior designer Thom Filicia, one-fifth of the Fab Five from Bravo’s popular “Queer Eye” series. Knowing what society requires […]