Personal Growth — April 6, 2009

opinion…as close to the truth as it can get

adrik tibbs

A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

Portrait of an older man with a beard wearing a hat, depicted in purple tones, with scientific and alchemical symbols in the background, capturing the essence of a truth machine.

Thinking

The perpetual quest for a truth machine

Why human attempts to mechanize logic keep breaking down.

Black and white illustration of two men in ancient attire, one standing with a scroll and the other seated, engaged in debate against a split red and beige background.

Thinking

Everyday Philosophy: Should you always call out bad opinions?

A reader asks whether we have an ethical responsibility to always debate bad beliefs, especially those that come from our elders.

Illustration of a young woman with closed eyes, smiling, next to a large, detailed eye and surrounded by vibrant, abstract elements and smiley faces.

Neuropsych

Eyes wide shut: Why closing your eyes intensifies psychedelic trips

A recent study suggests that exposure to visual stimuli can diminish the effects of psychedelic drugs.

A close up of a fork, endorsed by a Harvard astronomer.

Starts With A Bang

The humiliating truth behind Harvard astronomer’s “alien” spherules

Harvard astronomer Avi Loeb claimed to track down and find alien spherules on the ocean bottom. Here’s the sober truth.

A Jester standing before a sound wave, reminding us to speak truth to power.

Business

“Parrhesia”: The importance of speaking truth to power and how to do it well

It’s time for an honest conversation.

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