Technology & Innovation — December 26, 2009

Defending the New Textbook

How does Nicholas Negroponte know his nonprofit, One Laptop per Child, is improving education in the Third World? When participating schools see their truancy rates drop to zero, he believes it’s doing something right. In his Big Think interview, Negroponte also took on critics who insist that students must learn from print books because laptops are inherently distracting.

The founder and former director of MIT’s Media Labs also provided a preview of some of the most extraordinary new technologies his colleagues are developing, including direct wireless communication with the cells of the human body. Turning to current events, he predicted whether the recent spat between Google and Rupert Murdoch represents the first sign of a more divided media landscape in the years to come.

Starts With A Bang

The Universe might never run out of hydrogen

The most common element in the Universe, vital for forming new stars, is hydrogen. But there's a finite amount of it; what if we run out?

A woman, embodying the archetype of a wounded healer, is sitting on a couch engrossed in reading a book.

Neuropsych

The Chiron effect: Are “wounded healers” better healers?

Sometimes you just want to hear, "I know what it's like."

Two hands making a pinky promise with a notification icon showing one like against a blue background.

Neuropsych

“Tend and befriend”: The simple relationship hack for burnout resilience

You really can get by with a little help from your friends — if you also look beyond your personal to-do list.

Ancient bust of a bearded man, believed to depict one of history's generous leaders, with detailed facial features, set against a plain turquoise background.

Business

Aristotle plus generosity: How to soften the hard-boiled leader

Tough and cutthroat leaders are celebrated in a results-driven culture — but there is another path to C-suite success.

Starts With A Bang

The unsurprising non-detection of intelligent aliens

Life arose on Earth very early on. After a few billion years, here we are: intelligent and technologically advanced. Where's everyone else?

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