society
How sci-fi helps humanity avoid species-level mistakes
Technology of the future is shaped by the questions we ask and the ethical decisions we make today.
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5 min
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Has political correctness gone too far?
The debate over whether or not there is a place for political correctness in modern society is not always black and white.
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13 min
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Rousseau explained: What his philosophy means for us
The philosopher who praised a simple life and inspired the worst of the French Revolution.
One year of COVID-19: What will we learn?
Pandemics have historically given way to social revolution. What will the post-COVID revolution be?
7 dimensions of depression, explained
From baboon hierarchies to the mind-gut connection, the path to defeating depression starts with understanding its causes.
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23 min
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Study: Language (not geography) major force behind India’s gene flow
The study found that people who spoke the same language tended to be more closely related despite living far apart.
Does fact-checking really work? Timing matters.
New research from MIT is unintuitive but could lead to a better system.
How to close the digital gap for the elderly
Older people are in grave danger of being left behind.
Where in the world is Portsea?
This map of Europe's 20 most populous islands holds a few surprises and unlocks a truckload of trivia.
FOSTA-SESTA: Have controversial sex trafficking acts done more harm than good?
The idea behind the law was simple: make it more difficult for online sex traffickers to find victims.
What is the ‘self’? The 3 layers of your identity.
Answering the question of who you are is not an easy task. Let's unpack what culture, philosophy, and neuroscience have to say.
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12 min
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How will we govern super-powerful AI?
The AI constitution can mean the difference between war and peace—or total extinction.
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5 min
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What is the purpose of universities?
For centuries, universities have advanced humanity toward truth. Professor Jonathan Haidt speaks to why college campuses are suddenly heading in the opposite direction.
The social determinants of health, explained
Want to tell someone's future in the US? You don't need a crystal ball, just their zip code.
I don’t believe in blind idealism: An interview with Katarzyna Boni
The author of "Auroville: The City Made of Dreams" talks about the difficulties of establishing (and writing about) utopian societies.
Want Americans to graduate college? Make it affordable.
Research from MIT's School Effectiveness & Inequality Initiative found making college more affordable cut dropout rates and boosted degree attainment.
5 big predictions for 2021
A deeper appreciation for science and less unnecessary spending could be in our future.
13 books everyone should read and why—as voted by you
Add these great titles to your wish list or secure copies for yourself.
Why moral people tolerate immoral behavior
As morally sturdy as we may feel, it turns out that humans are natural hypocrites when it comes to passing moral judgment.
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5 min
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How Europeans wear wedding rings, and what it says about them
For a purely binary choice, wearing a ring either on the left or right hand can say a lot about the wearer.
How showing remorse can save your relationships
Scientists ripped up kids' drawings. This is what they learned about relationships.
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5 min
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Human sexual desire: Is monogamy natural?
Monogamy is often considered a key component of traditional marriages, but it's only half the story.
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8 min
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A brief history of human dignity
What is human dignity? Here's a primer, told through 200 years of great essays, lectures, and novels.
The 3 keys to solving complex global problems
We have the money to change the world. What's standing in the way?
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4 min
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Are humans cruel by nature?
Historian Rutger Bregman argues that the persistent theory that most people are monsters is just wrong.
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6 min
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Experts fear Thanksgiving COVID spikes—Can you have your turkey and stay healthy too ?
Experts plead with Americans to keep gatherings limited this Thanksgiving, while families devise new ways to celebrate the holidays.
When Christmas was cancelled: a lesson from history
Christmas was banned in 1647 and rebellions broke out across the country.
The Matrix is already here: Social media promised to connect us, but left us isolated, scared and tribal
The more you like, follow and share, the faster you find yourself moving in that political direction.
Warrior women: New evidence of ancient female big-game hunters
Turns out gender assumptions have been going on for quite some time.
Should parents de-emphasize gender norms?
The color of toys has a much deeper effect on children than some parents may realize.
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6 min
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