Politics & Current Affairs — November 12, 2009

Controversy Brewing

Who are the “Tea Party” activists, and what do they hope to accomplish? Will their crusade purify American conservatism or factionalize it further? Former Republican House Minority leader Dick Armey, a key Tea Party supporter, offered his take at Big Think today.

In a wide-ranging discussion, Armey, who helped author the “Contract with America” in 1994, described how he believes the Republican Party has lost its way in the 15 years since. A onetime economics professor, he also proposed a path out of the current recession, which he faults the Obama Administration for perpetuating. His interview will be featured as part of Big Think’s special “Future of Conservatism” series next week.

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Neuropsych

25 years since Columbine: We’re closer to decoding mass-shooter psychology

Public mass shooters almost always have worldviews shaped by the "3 Rs": rage, resentment, and revenge.

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Thinking

Everyday Philosophy: “Is there anything wrong with trauma dumping?”

When does "oversharing" become an issue?

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Leadership

Adam Grant on how to identify and develop high-potential leaders

The ability to toggle between abstract and concrete thinking is a key differentiator of high-potential leaders.

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Business

Want true success? Be more philosophical about “good” and “bad” failure.

Bob Dylan gave us the paradoxical gem "there's no success like failure, and failure's no success at all." He had a point.

Starts With A Bang

The idea that matter is mostly empty space is mostly wrong

Practically all of the matter we see and interact with is made of atoms, which are mostly empty space. Then why is reality so... solid?

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