Surprising Science — March 5, 2014

The Science of Pain

A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

Why is it that athletes have a higher tolerance for pain than the average person? Does their training better prepare them to handle pain or are they born that way?

AsapSCIENCE takes us through the science of pain and why athletes seem to be programmed to believe “No pain, no gain.”

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Image credit: Boston Public Library/Flickr

A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

A man with long hair, a beard, glasses, and a bandana on his head, reminiscent of David Foster Wallace, poses for a portrait against a plain background.

High Culture

How suicide warped David Foster Wallace’s legacy

The writer’s tragic death at age 46 has led many to view him as a tortured artist. Here’s why this label is reductive.

A man holding a transparent rectangular object up to his eyes, reminiscent of the analytical gaze of Robert and Frank Oppenheimer.

The Past

The atomic bomb, exile and a test of brotherly bonds: Robert and Frank Oppenheimer

A rift in thinking about who should control powerful new technologies sent the brothers on diverging paths. For one, the story ended with a mission to bring science to the public.

Two elderly women walking alongside and interacting with a statue of a man holding a briefcase.

Neuropsych

The new science of optimism and longevity

A growing body of research suggests that optimism plays a significant role in promoting both physical and mental well-being.

Michael Jordan and Mike Jordan, both impact players.

Business

The manager’s playbook for fielding a high-impact team

It’s not enough to nurture star players — the key is to cultivate everyone’s ability to collaborate and bring value.

A failure of a paper airplane constructed from crumpled paper.

The Learning Curve

How to find success with the 4 conditions of “intelligent failure”

When we prepare for our plans to go wrong, we build the foundations for lasting profit.

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