Surprising Science — April 21, 2010

Unplanned Parenthood

Nearly fifty years after the invention of the birth control pill, we now have a wide variety of options for contraception. Yet nearly half of pregnancies in the U.S. are still unintended.

bigthinkeditor

Nearly fifty years after the invention of the birth control pill, people today have a wide variety of options when it comes to contraception. Yet, despite the availability of these options, nearly half of pregnancies in the U.S. are unintended—a rate that has remained constant. “Why are these numbers so high?” asks Melinda Beck. “The answer is a complex tangle of cultural, religious, behavioral, educational and economic factors.”

A woman, embodying the archetype of a wounded healer, is sitting on a couch engrossed in reading a book.

Neuropsych

The Chiron effect: Are “wounded healers” better healers?

Sometimes you just want to hear, "I know what it's like."

Two hands making a pinky promise with a notification icon showing one like against a blue background.

Neuropsych

“Tend and befriend”: The simple relationship hack for burnout resilience

You really can get by with a little help from your friends — if you also look beyond your personal to-do list.

Ancient bust of a bearded man, believed to depict one of history's generous leaders, with detailed facial features, set against a plain turquoise background.

Business

Aristotle plus generosity: How to soften the hard-boiled leader

Tough and cutthroat leaders are celebrated in a results-driven culture — but there is another path to C-suite success.

Starts With A Bang

The unsurprising non-detection of intelligent aliens

Life arose on Earth very early on. After a few billion years, here we are: intelligent and technologically advanced. Where's everyone else?

A person in a dark robe wielding a glowing red lightsaber on a desert dune under a night sky with a large crescent moon and a visible planet.

High Culture

Does science fiction shape the future?

Six visionary science fiction authors on the social impact of their work.

Up Next

Guest Thinkers

The Invention of Clothes

Scientists have used DNA to trace the evolutionary split between head and body lice to 190,000 years ago. They say this may indicate how long humans have been wearing clothing.