Guest Thinkers — December 21, 2010

2 for Free

A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

For those too cheap or otherwise unable to buy the latest issue of the American Interest but still want to read the article you can access it here.

The site also includes a link to an article I wrote for the American Interest back in 2006, when I predicted all sorts of doom and gloom for Yemen. I heard a lot of complaints that I was overly pessimistic, but read it for yourselves and see just how far my prophetic powers are off three years out.

A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

An older man with white hair and a suit receives a document from another man in a robe during an event, as several people look on in the background. In the age of viral misquotes, capturing such moments accurately becomes ever more crucial.

High Culture

Einstein didn’t say that: How viral misquotes evolve and replicate

From Einstein to Twain, Garson O’Toole investigates the truth behind your favorite — and often misattributed — quotes.

An image of a cluster of galaxies, meaning science.

Starts With A Bang

10 thoughtful insights about the great cosmic unknowns

An in-depth interview with astronomer Kelsey Johnson, whose new book, Into the Unknown, explores what remains unknown about the Universe.

Two Guy Fawkes masks in a pixelated, digital art style with one mask smiling and the other frowning, set against a dark background with faint green patterns.

The Future

Will AI supercharge hacking — if it hasn’t already?

Hackers are in an arms race with cyber defenders. Will AI tip the balance?

Two hands piecing together a collage of illustrations including elements like the US Capitol dome, an American flag, a portion of the US Constitution, and an eye from a dollar bill against a blue background.

The Present

Americans don’t understand their government. They’re paying the price.

It’s a problem on both sides of the political divide.

A man with long hair, a beard, glasses, and a bandana on his head, reminiscent of David Foster Wallace, poses for a portrait against a plain background.

High Culture

How suicide warped David Foster Wallace’s legacy

The writer’s tragic death at age 46 has led many to view him as a tortured artist. Here’s why this label is reductive.

Up Next

Guest Thinkers

Tuesday Papers: or Al-Qaeda sentencing guidelines

Al-Sharq al-Awsat and al-Quds al-Arabi both devote their coverage of Yemen to yesterday’s death sentence handed down to the six al-Qaeda suspects. Following the sentencing it seems as though the […]