Guest Thinkers — February 16, 2011

Video – Race to Nowhere trailer

A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

“Our students are pressured to perform. They are not necessarily pressured to learn deeply and conceptually. . . . Things that actually get our students to think are pushed aside. . . .”

Hat tip:Anne Shaw

A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

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.

Two individuals are holding and inspecting a large white balloon outdoors, with a silhouette of trees visible in the background at dusk.

The Future

The startup using balloons to cool the planet

Make Sunsets is bringing solar geoengineering from sci-fi to reality.

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.

A blurred black-and-white image of an American flag, with the stars and stripes visibly distorted, subtly reflecting political polarization.

The Present

Divided we stand: The rise of political animosity

“We’re acting more like fans of a football team going to a game than a banker carefully choosing investments.”

A collage featuring close-up images of hands, faces, eyes, and text excerpts. The central focus is on various hand gestures performing actions with small objects and cards, evoking the mysterious art of mentalism.

Neuropsych

Unlock your potential with mentalism: An interview with Scott Barry Kaufman

Meet the scientist mixing mentalism with principles from positive psychology and the science of human potential.

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