Culture & Religion — May 16, 2011

New New Journalism James Frey

The most surprising and impactful new stories delivered to your inbox every week, for free.

New Journalism pioneer Gay Talese talks about the difference between incorporating storytelling into journalism and invention, as displayed by writers such as James Frey.

The most surprising and impactful new stories delivered to your inbox every week, for free.

A healthcare worker wearing gloves administers an injection with a syringe into a person's upper arm, reminding us that when it comes to vaccines, do your own research and stay informed.

Starts With A Bang

What to know about vaccines in the do-your-own-research era

For centuries, vaccines have been the top life-saving, expert medical intervention known to humans. How can individuals make the right call?

A colorful abstract painting is centered over a black-and-white collage of old newspaper clippings featuring portraits and articles.

Smart Skills

The creativity hack no one told you about: Read the obits

Reading obituaries can boost creativity by exposing you to distant ideas, fueling the associations that lead to unexpected breakthroughs.

A green planet with rings is shown against a starry black background, with shadowy humanoid figures visible inside the planet’s outline.

The Past

Aliens, everywhere: Why scientists once assumed every planet was inhabited

Long before the search for biosignatures, scientists imagined a cosmos teeming with intelligent life.

A man in a suit sits at a desk holding a large Hurricane Dorian forecast map, with U.S. flags and official emblems visible in the room, evoking the urgency of a 1938 science manifesto warning about threats to democracy.

Starts With A Bang

This 1938 pro-science manifesto defended democracy against fascism

As democracy recedes and fascism rises in the USA and around the world in 2025, history provides a lesson in how science can fight fascism.

Illustration of a thumbs up and thumbs down, resembling a like button and dislike button, on a black background, both partially covered with red scribble marks.

Business

The future of the “like” button: Thumbs up or thumbs down?

Will platforms continue to offer the like button as an all-purpose tool — or will each of the button’s various functions exist in new forms?

Up Next

Guest Thinkers

Are your local schoolchildren ‘students’ or ‘learners?’

I’m not quite sure how I missed this wonderful table from David Warlick. Take a look below. Are your local schoolchildren ‘students’ or ‘learners?’If they’re not ‘learners,’ what can/should you […]