Personal Growth — May 13, 2011

Turn Adversities into Opportunities

Some examples of courageous individuals who dared to think for themselves and ignore the commands of their mullahs. They are worthy of your emulation.

bigthinkeditor

A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

What’s the Latest Development?

Here are some examples of ordinary but courageous individuals who dared to think for themselves and ignore the commands of their mullahs, finding ways around life’s inevitable obstacles and nay-sayers.

What’s the Big Idea?

“That is what a free mind does; turns adversities into opportunities. Suharto imprisoned Prameodya Ananta Toer, but only his body. His mind was free, free to craft his world-acclaimed Buru tetralogy. As he said in an interview, ‘I create freedom for myself.’ I hope you do too!”

A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

A statue of a thoughtful, seated philosopher on the right seems to be contemplating a calling, while a standing figure holding a lyre on the left adds harmony against the textured background.

Thinking

Everyday Philosophy: Can you have a “calling” without a caller?

If you’re an atheist with a vocation, who laid that path for you?

Close-up image of a human iris featuring vibrant blue and yellow hues with a dark pupil in the center.

The mystery at the heart of consciousness

“Is it possible that consciousness is a much more basic phenomenon in nature and is essentially pervading everything?”

▸

10 min

—

with

Annaka Harris

Starts With A Bang

Ask Ethan: Does the CMB really “prove” the Big Bang?

Since the mid-1960s, the CMB has been identified with the Big Bang’s leftover glow. Could any alternative explanations still work?

A wasp illustration in blue on grid paper is overlaid on a close-up image of effervescent bubbles in a golden alcoholic liquid.

Health

The first known animal that’s “immune” to alcohol intoxication

Could studying the Oriental hornet lead to a treatment for people with alcohol use disorder?

Collage showcasing a stratospheric balloon soaring over Earth and a close-up of fingers, with "The Nightcrawler" emblazoned at the top, capturing the spirit of a creative renaissance.

Business

How AI is ushering in a creative renaissance

Welcome to The Nightcrawler — a weekly newsletter from Eric Markowitz covering tech, innovation, and long-term thinking.

Up Next

Technology & Innovation

Corporate Revolution

Traditional management’s goal is to make money for shareholders and managers aim to control individuals. Radical management aims to delight customers and enable teams.