Guest Thinkers — December 21, 2010

Vacation Schedule

Posting at Waq al-waq will be greatly reduced over the next two weeks as I take time off to celebrate Christmas and spend with my own family and another one that is near and dear to my heart.

We will return in the new year. (Or possibly if something newsworthy happens, but that is questionable given all the holiday movies I still need to watch.)

A digital graphic featuring a vibrant blue circle showcasing a clear sky with clouds, surrounded by radiating white lines and particles on a dark background.

The Future

Philosopher Nick Bostrom’s predictions on life in an AI utopia

Big Think recently spoke with Nick Bostrom about how humans might find fulfillment in a post-scarcity world.

View of a cityscape through a large glass window framed by steel beams, showcasing high-rise buildings burdened with debt under an overcast sky.

The Present

How we all got into debt

Consumer debt shapes American lives so thoroughly that it seems eternal and immortal, but it’s actually relatively new to the financial world.

Three men looking at a smartphone and laughing, embodying everyday philosophy, with two faded figures and a sketch of a thinker with a question mark.

Thinking

Everyday Philosophy: “Should I disinvite my bigoted friend from group trips?”

You've got to know when to fight and when to laugh.

A black and white image of Isaiah Berlin.

Business

Do you try to avoid your boss? For Isaiah Berlin that’s a big problem

Leadership evasion might seem like a plan for workplace freedom but it isn't a good thing — it's a denial of opportunity.

Starts With A Bang

How the cosmic microwave background proves the Big Bang

In the 20th century, many options abounded as to our cosmic origins. Today, only the Big Bang survives, thanks to this critical evidence.

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