Guest Thinkers — September 1, 2010

Quick update for 2/23/2010

Nothing like the flu to get you off track

A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

Posts might be a little sparse for the next few days – I’m recovering from a rather nasty bout with a flu-type thing, so I’m fallen behind in pretty much everything. I’ll try to get back up to speed here in a few days, but if you run across any fascinating volcano news, feel free to post it here.

A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

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.

A Rubik's cube with a red X floats in space, next to a planet and moon—each marked with green checkmarks—that boast their perfect round shape.

Starts With A Bang

Is “round” the only allowable shape for planets?

All the stars, stellar corpses, planets, and other large, massive objects take on spherical or spheroidal shapes. Why is that universal?

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.

Close-up of a colorful microchip wafer with geometric patterns and reflective surfaces.

The Future

Why futurist Amy Webb sees a “technology supercycle” headed our way

Hang on to something — or ride the wave — because three big tech trends are about to converge.

Collage featuring mouths, graphs, and text elements: a bold "CANCELLED" stamp, line graphs indicating a tipping point, and "change coming," all set against the backdrop of a striking matchstick.

Neuropsych

The “magic third” rule: How just one voice can transform a group

In his latest book, Malcolm Gladwell explores a strange phenomenon of group dynamics.

Up Next

Guest Thinkers

Friday Flotsam: Another rumbling Russian and tossing nuclear waste into volcanoes

The latest USGS/SI volcano report, how we use the magnetism of minerals to tell us about a volcano and should we dispose of nuclear waste by throwing it into a volcano (?!)