Guest Thinkers — December 21, 2010

No April Fools For You

A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

Or so says Shaykh ‘Abd al-Muhsin al-‘Abaykan of Saudi Arabia.

A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

Collage showcasing a stratospheric balloon soaring over Earth and a close-up of fingers, with "The Nightcrawler" emblazoned at the top, capturing the spirit of a creative renaissance.

How AI is ushering in a creative renaissance

Welcome to The Nightcrawler — a weekly newsletter from Eric Markowitz covering tech, innovation, and long-term thinking.

The Present

Microplastic overload: Is cutting production the only realistic way to curb pollution?

On November 25, U.N. members will meet in South Korea to cap off a series of meetings aiming to reduce global plastic pollution.

In a black and white illustration, four cartoon characters stand among poppies, set against a fantasy world backdrop. Overlaid text delves into the 19th-century currency debate, highlighting the clash between "Silverites" and "Goldbugs," merging historical intrigue with imaginative charm.

High Culture

5 beloved fantasy novels based on real history

Many beloved fantasy adventures take place in worlds that bear a striking resemblance to our own.

Map of the Sovereign State of the Bektashi Order, showing key locations such as the World Headquarters and Library, with details on independence, language, religion, government, and currency.

Strange Maps

This Muslim microstate could soon be the world’s smallest country

The Sovereign State of the Bektashi Order would be just one quarter the size of Vatican City.

This graph shows the highest recorded temperatures in five Middle Eastern cities from 2010 to 2020. The temperatures range from 49.9°C to 53°C. An inset map highlights the locations of the cities.

Strange Maps

Earth’s hottest cities are all in this little corner of the planet

You could call this rectangle covering parts of Iran, Iraq, and the Arabian Peninsula the “Oven Window.”

Up Next

Guest Thinkers

Really easy tea leaves

GENEVA – The United Nations food agency said on Friday a lack of funds had forced it to cut back rations for around one million people in Yemen, despite growing […]