Words of Wisdom — March 31, 2014

Neil deGrasse Tyson on the Universe

A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

“We are part of this universe; we are in this universe, but perhaps more important than both of those facts, is that the universe is in us.” – Neil deGrasse Tyson

A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

Two people viewed from behind against a blue sky, one wearing a pink top and the other an orange top, share a moment of quiet solace as the person in pink rests their head on the other's shoulder. It’s a serene scene that hints at healing and support after trauma.

Neuropsych

3 emotional intelligence tips for helping a friend in a rough patch

Listen, set boundaries, and point them where to go.

A golden-brown turkey being carefully lowered into a metal pot outdoors, ready for a deep fry amidst the grassy area and wooden fence.

Starts With A Bang

What happens if you deep fry a frozen turkey?

It’s the ultimate setup for a Thanksgiving Day disaster. The physics of water and its solid, liquid, and gas phases compels us not to do it.

The Present

Microplastic overload: Is cutting production the only realistic way to curb pollution?

On November 25, U.N. members will meet in South Korea to cap off a series of meetings aiming to reduce global plastic pollution.

Three red, cloud-like structures are set against a starry background in space.

Starts With A Bang

What do JWST’s “red monster” galaxies mean for cosmology?

The most massive early galaxies grew up faster, and have more stars, than astronomers expected, according to JWST. What does it all mean?

A gloved hand grips a vaccine-loaded syringe, framed by a red-tinted portrait of a historical figure in the center and a grainy black-and-white landscape on the right.

Thinking

Everyday Philosophy: When should you try to change your friend’s beliefs?

“I have a friend who thinks vaccines cause autism,” writes Nina. “What can I do?”

Up Next

The Scholar-Athlete Becomes a Unionized Employee

A regional division of the NLRB has ruled that Northwestern’s football players are more like employees of the university than students. So they are entitled to unionize and bargain collectively […]