It’s the end of the year–which means I’m reflecting on all manner of things. It’s been an incredible year for me. DIRTY MINDS: HOW OUR BRAINS INFLUENCE LOVE, SEX AND […]
All Articles
What strategy should the atheist movement adopt during the holiday season? Should we focus on doing good works as a visible proof that we’re caring and moral people, or should […]
For most Americans, the holiday week represents about half of the time off we will enjoy all year long.
In the country with the highest murder rate in Europe, a movement that barely existed a year ago makes its case for liberalizing gun laws.
It’s two more days before you can open the gifts under the tree, but I have some early presents: • Now hear this: I’m on the New Books in Secularism […]
If you haven’t finished your Christmas shopping yet, please don’t. That is the appeal made by Kalle Lasn, creator of the Adbusters magazine published in Vancouver, British Columbia.
I recently read an excerpt from the controversial number one bestseller Proof of Heaven: A Neurosurgeon’s Journey Into the Afterlife by Dr. Eben Alexander in Newsweek magazine. In it he […]
Happiness author Gretchen Rubin has found that making small changes to one’s daily routine is better at creating a happiness than making drastic life changes. What’s more, psychologists agree.
Duke University researchers who poured over three decades worth of standardized test scores have concluded that general intelligence is on the rise and that girls are narrowing the gender gap.
Brain-computer interfacing has allowed quadriplegics to move robotic arms and hands with impressive dexterity. Researchers hope the technology will allow them increased autonomy in life.
To celebrate her Jubilee year, the Queen had a large chunk of Antarctica named after her; possibly upsetting the Argentinians and Chileans.
More Americans than ever are giving themselves presents, so what happened to the humility of gift giving? Sociologists say our increasingly liberal culture has left us feeling lonely during the holidays.
Data-mongering is how Americans try to explain or control someone’s actions. And yet, statistics about people in general, or about some category of people, tell you nothing certain about any one individual.
On a related note to my last post, you’ve probably heard that the Pope recently took a bold step forward into the 21st century by joining Twitter. This is significant […]
As some more traditionalist and religious conservatives have noted with disgust, that’s the advice of Ayn Rand: The best aspect of Christmas is the aspect usually decried by the mystics: […]
Amid rising concerns over post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental illnesses, two MIT startups are developing wrist-worn sensors that can detect physiological signs of stress.
United States v. Caronia may determine the extent to which FDA regulation also affects how drug makers sell their medicines to clients, and whether they are allowed to overstate drugs’ benefits.
White blood cells called T-cells tend to attack a wider range of invaders than antibodies. If a vaccine sensitizes them to internal flu proteins, they could potentially kill all types of flu.
By studying how electricity works in our bodies, Tufts University’s Center for Regenerative and Developmental Biology believes we might be able to regenerate lost organs and limbs.
The economic growth of the last few decades has made global populations heavier than ever before. The trend carries serious health consequences as well as threatening future growth.
Fortunately there are an ever widening array of resources that will keep you immunized against the nonsense.
As widely expected after Ambassador Susan Rice’s withdrawal from consideration, President Barack Obama has nominated Senator John Kerry as his new Secretary of State to succeed Hillary Clinton. A new […]
Over the last half-century we’ve emphasized physicality over philosophy. Yet a growing contingent of yogis has been asking questions such as: How can we take these ethical, philosophical and moral codes and apply them to our times?
This year marks the 150th anniversary of Claude Debussy’s birth. Falling into the impressionist camp, the French composer is able to capture the essence of a feeling perhaps better than anyone else.
To answer my own headline, not likely. The National Rifle Association seems to lead an “Even I Can’t Kill Me” charmed existence as the most powerful lobby in DC, and […]
A new documentary produced by Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson details the plight of the West Memphis Three, three teenagers wrongly convicted and imprisoned for 18 years.
This morning, the NRA proposed that teachers carry lethal weapons to make schools safe learning environments for our children. The plan replaces the right to bear arms with an obligation.
When writer Carolyn Briggs insisted that her children observe a more traditional Christmas, she was left isolated at a time of togetherness. This year, she will value her presence more highly.
Certain alcoholic drinks, like red wine and whiskey, are worse for hangovers than gin and vodka. The reason is the presence of congeners, a byproduct of the fermentation process.
It’s been a difficult year for economists, who’ve had to endure a combination of criticism when they apparently had the wrong ideas and being ignored when perhaps they had the right ones.