Guest Thinkers — November 30, 2010

Correction: “Wire” Creator David Simon Not Optimisitic At All

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A student asked Wire creator David Simon whether he saw any hopeful signs for the younger generation….

[Photo credits: “Correction,” great catch by Dennis G. of Balloon Juice, David Simon would be proud that someone is still paying to read the news in print; “David Simon” by Lindsay Beyerstein.]

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

Five men, immersed in conversation, sit indoors on a blanket, eating from metal bowls. Despite the cloud of ignorance surrounding them about modern science, they share stories and laughter as a red bowl rests prominently at their center.

Starts With A Bang

How glorifying ignorance leads to science illiteracy

If we wish to tackle the very real problems society faces, we require expert-level knowledge. Valuing it starts earlier than we realize.

A person in a red shirt stands next to "Waves in an Impossible Sea," the 2024 science book by Matt Strassler. The background displays a blurred bookshelf.

Starts With A Bang

“Waves in an Impossible Sea”: The 2024 science book of the year

Matt Strassler’s journey into fundamental physics culminates in a brilliant explanation of the Higgs field. Enjoy this exclusive interview.

A collage featuring hands holding a plant, additional hands in sepia tone, a grid background, orange accents, and the text "Reclaim Meaning" with the number 4.

Thinking

How to reclaim meaning in a changing world

What if the barrier to a fulfilled life isn’t technology but culture?

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.

Image with a split view: the left half shows a black-and-white image of Earth, the right half depicts a grayscale crowd scene. Text overlay: "More Humans Are Better," with the number "3" in the top right corner.

The Present

The overlooked virtues of a crowded world

In a world of rising cynicism, a celebration of our capacity to create, adapt, and thrive.

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