Kevin Dickinson
Kevin Dickinson has been an independent writing consultant since 2011. During that time, he's worked as an educator, editor, journalist, and researcher, and written on subjects ranging from religion to Dr. Seuss, film history to Mars' surplus of iron oxide.
Why the U.S. can’t replicate Finland’s educational success
Finland's educational system was driven by a culture that supports a strong social contract, one the United States currently lacks.
Toddlers engage more with print books than ebooks, developmental researchers say
Researchers find that toddlers verbalize and interact more with their parents when reading sessions feature print books, not tablets.
A pleasure to burn: Why do people like spicy foods?
Spicy foods are enjoyed the world over, but scientists don't know why people partake in culinary masochism.
Freud is renowned, but his ideas are ill-substantiated
The Oedipal complex, repressed memories, penis envy? Sigmund Freud's ideas are far-reaching, but few have withstood the onslaught of empirical evidence.
7 best board games to help children think big
Like sneaking veggies into dessert, these board games teach STEM, strategy, and executive functions through the joys of play.
Finland’s education system is failing. Should we look to Asia?
Finland's recent decline in international test scores has led many to question whether its education system is truly the best.
5 realistic ways to save money, according to experts
Saving money doesn't mean sacrificing quality of life; in fact, it can be a way to improve it.
Do participation trophies hinder child development?
The fierce debate over participation trophies ignores a crucial fact: Children aren't idiots.
Standardized tests: Finland’s education system vs. the U.S.
Finland and the U.S. have chosen opposing answers to the question of how much standardized testing is too much.
Why are people sexually attracted to cartoons? Evolution.
Nikolaas Tinbergen's concept of "supernormal stimulus" explains why humans are attracted to a heightened version of reality.
How does Finland’s top-ranking education system work?
The key to Finland's success is to view education not as a privilege, but a right.
2018 was the fourth hottest year on record, say both NASA and NOAA
Experts say global warming is no longer some future worry. It's already here.
How to use tea to biohack your mood, stress, and productivity
Ancient beverages such as tea and chamomile can heighten your modern-day performance.
New therapy turns cancer cells into fat to stop it from spreading
Researchers at the University of Basel in Switzerland have hijacked cancer's cellular plasticity to turn the disease against itself.
Is cursive writing important to child development?
Legislators push to keep cursive in their schools' curricula, but experts seem split as to whether it's necessary.
What is the Green New Deal?
The Green New Deal is an ambitious attempt to fight climate change, but is it destined to hit the political skids?
These new keto diet tortillas are made of 100% cheese
Folios cheese wraps can be a surprisingly healthy substitute for traditional tortillas. Of course, there's a catch.
Sparkling water: Healthy alternative or millennial fad?
As the popularity of sparkling waters grows, many wonder if it represents a fresh turning point or a crisp new snake oil.
9 most common New Year’s resolutions — and how to make them happen
We look at the most common New Year's resolutions and get expert advice to help you check them off 2019's to-do list.
How to brain hack your New Year’s resolution for success
It's not about the resolution but about how your mind tackles the problem.
Decades of data suggest parenthood makes people unhappy
Decades of studies have shown parents to be less happy than their childless peers. But are the kids to blame?
Is wasp venom the next healthcare revolution?
MIT researchers have discovered how to turn wasp venom into an antibiotic.
Video games and the paradox of failure
The paradox of failure explains why even a healthy rage-quit won't keep a good gamer down.
A world first: Luxembourg’s public transport to be free for all
Luxembourg will offer the world's first fare-free public transit system, but is there really such a thing as a free ride?
Canadian healthcare system shows how much money America could save
The Great White North has found a way to provide universal healthcare with more salubrious results and trimmed national costs. Take notes, America.
How to flirt: 7 tips backed by science
When it comes to flirting, love meters have nothing on these researchers' findings.
7 prophetic writings by American presidents
These seven presidents had a window into the future—or were really good guessers.
Why eating turkey really makes you sleepy
Is everyone's favorite Thanksgiving centerpiece really to blame for the post-dinner doldrums?
7 scientists we are thankful for this Thanksgiving
You may not recognize the names, but these seven scientists have improved the lives of people the world over.
The appendix may have a purpose after all—and it’s not good news
Is the appendix a useless organ, an immune system benefactor, a Parkinson's disease instigator, or all of the above?