Guest Thinkers — July 11, 2011

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A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

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.

Silhouettes of three people in red stand on a podium made of white cubes, evoking the spirit of ranked choice voting, with blue circles against a dark grid background.

The Present

Can ranked-choice voting heal our poisoned politics?

The electoral reform also known as instant-runoff voting promises bridge-building and broad appeal instead of culture war and gridlock.

Starts With A Bang

Why the black hole information paradox still hasn’t been solved

Black holes encode information on their surfaces, but evaporate away into Hawking radiation. Is that information preserved, and if so, how?

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.

Illustration featuring an eye, an ear, and a hand, each encircled by overlapping multicolored circles.

Perception Box

How to step out of your inner monologue and understand the world better

Expanding your worldview starts with understanding your brain. Stanford neuroscientist David Eagleman explains.

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8 min

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with

David Eagleman

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The War on Teachers?

School reform efforts across the country hang on the notion of annual teacher evaluations based heavily on student test scores. But if this process isn’t consistently accurate, it will get the wrong teachers fired and discourage talented people from entering the profession.