The ground shook violently in L’Aquila, Italy, early in the morning of April 6, 2009, more violently than it had during the tremors the area had been experiencing for months. […]
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Who would ever think of aging and retirement as something new? The baby boomers are certainly not the first to grow old – but they are certainly headed for a […]
Big changes are afoot for Eruptions – I’m on the move. After a year here at Big Think, I’ve decided to move the blog to Wired Science. Needless to say, […]
Investment decisions are no longer being made by financiers, but increasingly by Ph.D. mathematicians and the immensely complex computer programs they devise.
Berkeley scientists say with MRI and computer models they can reconstruct our visual experiences, paving the way to reproduce our mental movies, such as dreams and memories.
After four years of wielding power indirectly as prime minister, former President Vladimir Putin has announced that he will be the Kremlin’s next master, just as some argued he would.
Humans are hardwired to get a pleasure buzz from uncertainty. Neuroscientist David Linden explains how tweeting is like watching the ball spinning in the roulette wheel.
As the world economy shifts from West to East, the rich world is losing some of its privileges like the ability to dominate world affairs thanks to having an industrialized economy.
Thunderous applause followed Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas’ speech at the U.N. asking for statehood. But what will the bid for recognition really accomplish?
The growing influence of Arab public opinion on the actions of Arab governments will make it much tougher for the United States to pursue its traditional policies in the region.
A former British Prime Minister, James Callaghan will forever be remembered for the words ‘Crisis? What crisis?’ eventhough he never actually said them. Callaghan had the misfortune of having his […]
Days after dramatically returning from Saudi Arabia, President Ali Abdullah Salih did what he does in these situations: he gave a speech. The international media will likely lead with the […]
Berkeley scientists say with MRI and computer models they can reconstruct our visual experiences, paving the way to reproduce our mental movies, such as dreams and memories.
Sociologist Steve Fuller says we’re headed for a new humanity which will no longer take as given the “normal human body”. Our self-enhancements will include ‘cosmetic neurology.’
Before I start with this post, apologies for the past weeks of silence here on Disrupt Education. I had to travel a lot and moderate an event in Germany so […]
Black and white thinking gives us a (false and temporary) sense of security and control over life’s uncertainties but in reality it narrows our vision and creates insecurity.
Neuroimaging has revealed the neural basis of the intense imagery induced by the “spirit vine”, a hallucinogenic brew long used by rain forest shamans to provoke mystical visions.
Why do some survive a breakup without deep distress, even if sad or worried about money? Research shows one thing—having self-compassion—uniquely predicts good outcomes.
Crack open any standard text on modern art since the end of World War II and you’ll read how New York City took over as the art world capitol from […]
Congress is not very popular. With its reputation for petty partisan bickering, Congress rarely is particularly popular. But the current Congress’ popularity has reached incredible new lows. According to a […]
One of the most visible signs of progress to date that the Affordable Health Care Act for Americans is working will begin next Friday, October 1st, when the Community First […]
You’ve seen the spam. You’ve heard legends. But is there any actual science behind the promise of penis enlargement? Quite a lot, it turns out: Thousands of years worth of trying.
Scientists in the Netherlands are using robotic legs to try to improve the movement of stroke patients. The device works by training the body and mind of a patient to make natural steps.
Success in running is not just a mental feat, it’s physical, too. And the good news is that science backs up the cliché that age doesn’t matter, or at least doesn’t matter that much.
Two English professors have created the Action for Happiness movement which, by following a simple list of activities, aims to increase the amount of happiness in the lives of individuals.
For the first time, researchers have shown that a cell-based therapy for HIV/AIDS can reduce the amount of virus in infected people. Never before has the virus been eliminated.
Throughout this spring and summer, while Yemen’s protesters have continued their call for President Salih to step down, myself and several other Yemen observers have repeatedly warned the US not […]
This blog was published in 2011 at www.pamelahaag.com Few institutions invite—perhaps require?–cognitive dissonance like marriage. It’s remarkable, a marriage’s capacity to say one thing and do another, while all the […]
This was originally posted at www.pamelahaag.com One of the more important facets of our post-romantic age is that for perhaps the first time in history, you stand a good chance […]
As you have probably noticed, BigThink.com has undergone several cosmetic changes today, all intended to enhance your reading and viewing experience. We hope you like it, but we’re not done […]