Guest Thinkers — August 16, 2010

YouTube Clip of GOP Debate on Science Issues

A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

Posted from La Guardia airport in transit to a talk at Cornell University. Will have more comments this weekend.

A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

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.

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.

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 group of vintage uniformed men, some wearing helmets, appear startled or curious while standing in what seems to be an office setting. The man on the left is speaking into a telephone, possibly exemplifying the Peter Principle as he manages the unexpected situation.

Business

The “Peter Principle”: Why most companies are filled with people out of their depth

Why would someone who has spent their entire career following orders become a great leader overnight?

Five people stand or sit around a large, ominous hole in the ground, under a cloudy sky, reflecting on their struggles and supporting each other in raising mental health awareness.

Neuropsych

“Awareness” overload: How TikTok’s mental health content goes off the rails

Mental health awareness is more widespread than ever. Some professionals think it may have gone overboard — especially on TikTok.

Animated countdown timer at zero with the word "MINUS" appearing after the countdown, displayed over a background transitioning from red to blue.

Hard Science

T-Minus: How to not die on (the way to) Mars

The threats Mars astronauts face — and how NASA is working to solve them.

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