Surprising Science — February 27, 2014

See a Color Humans Can’t See

In this easy tutorial by popular science teacher Robert Krampf, you can see one of these colors that are not visible to the human eye.

bigthinkeditor

A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

It’s well-known that there are colors that humans can’t see. But now in this easy tutorial by popular science teacher Robert Krampf, you can see one of these colors that are not visible to the human eye. It’s a neat trick to impress your friends, but keep in mind it’s still just one color and there are more that we are missing out on. To better understand how we perceive color, check out Big Think‘s interview with philosopher Alva Noë.

Image credit: Nagarjun/Flickr

A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

Neuropsych

Google’s AI spotlights a human glitch: Mistaking fluent speech for fluent thought

It is all too easy for humans to fall into the cognitive trap of thinking that an entity that can use language fluently is sentient or intelligent.

Collage showcasing a stratospheric balloon soaring over Earth and a close-up of fingers, with "The Nightcrawler" emblazoned at the top, capturing the spirit of a creative renaissance.

Business

How AI is ushering in a creative renaissance

Welcome to The Nightcrawler — a weekly newsletter from Eric Markowitz covering tech, innovation, and long-term thinking.

Two colorful cells with purple nuclei, green cell edges, and radiating filament structures against a black background.

Health

When muscles work out, they help neurons to grow

The findings suggest that biochemical and physical effects of exercise could help heal nerves.

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.

Arms burdened with a large stack of papers, folders, and rolled-up documents, a person exemplifies toxic productivity. Their black bag hangs precariously from their arm as they navigate the weight of their workload.

The Learning Curve

How to break free from your “toxic productivity” cycle

Psychotherapist Israa Nasir explains how a “value-aligned life” can help us crush our goals — without being crushed by the need to accomplish more.

Up Next

Double Rainbow: What Does This Mean?

Witnessing a double-rainbow in nature may seem like a mystical experience, according to the famous video shot in Yosemite where the cameraman yells out in bliss: “What does this mean!” […]