Culture & Religion — July 25, 2014

Ewoks Unmasked

From Stars Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi, America’s second favorite Star Wars film according to this poll by FiveThirtyEight, a family of Ewoks take off their masks on the 1982 set. Episode VII is expected to be released in December 2015.

Image via Historical Pics

Two people walking past a dark brick wall with numerous security cameras pointing in various directions.

The Present

Are smart cities a wise idea?

When Google runs a smart city, who owns the data?

Illustration of a young woman with closed eyes, smiling, next to a large, detailed eye and surrounded by vibrant, abstract elements and smiley faces.

Neuropsych

Eyes wide shut: Why psychedelic trips intensify when you close your eyes

Minimizing external stimuli may be key to maximizing the therapeutic potential of psychedelics, recent research suggests.

Starts With A Bang

The big idea of Grand Unified Theories of physics

If the electromagnetic and weak forces unify to make the electroweak force, maybe, at higher energies, something even grander happens?

Microscopic image of a small electronic component with clear details of its structure and connections against a gray background.

The Future

Making microbots smart

What would it take to create a truly intelligent microbot, one that can operate independently?

Four-panel collage of historical philosophers in various artistic styles, including a sculpture, a sketch, and two realistic portraits.

Thinking

4 philosophers on how to live a happy life

From Taoism to hedonism, philosophers have devised all sorts of ways to live your best life.

Up Next

Words of Wisdom

Alain de Botton on Creativity

"My greatest joy comes from creativity: from feeling that I have been able to identify a certain aspect of human nature and crystallise a phenomenon in words." - Alain de Botton