Guest Thinkers — December 24, 2009

Sex and the Single Islamist

Didn’t see this one coming: I thought Shiites were attracted to Hezbollah for its fight against Israel, or its aura of piety, or its social welfare programs. Didn’t know that, thanks to the practice of mutaa, or temporary marriage, some young men are also in it for the sex.

An image of a blue egg on a white background.

Neuropsych

A magnetic therapy for depression gains precision

For people with hard-to-treat depression, a non-invasive technique called transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) can provide relief.

A map of a city with a lot of pink dots.

Strange Maps

Germany to legalize cannabis — but not here, there, or just about anywhere

Legally smoking joints in city centers will require alertness and a keen sense of orientation — two things stoners are not known for.

A model of a temple inspired by Herostratus.

The Past

Herostratus: the man who destroyed an ancient wonder of the world

His crime was so great, he was not only sentenced to death but his name was to be erased from memory.

Business

How the “challenger brand” mindset can change the world

When leaders connect enterprise ambition with the driving spirit of activism, everyone wins.

A diagram of the solar system with the sun, earth, and uranus.

Starts With A Bang

Astronomer Johannes Kepler solved life’s hardest problem: marriage

How can you maximize the amount of love and happiness in your life? One of history's greatest scientists found the answer: with math.

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