Guest Thinkers — February 16, 2011

6,000 Twitter followers. Wow.

A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

Sarah Daly (@IrishAsian05) – a self-described Spanish teacher, school counselor, almost criminologist, Notre Dame grad, shoe addict, and pug lover in New Jersey – is my 6,000th Twitter follower.

Thanks for the follow, Sarah, and thanks to the rest of you Tweeps too. I’m humbled and encouraged by the support.

A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

Strange Maps

How did chess pieces get their names?

One player’s pawn is another’s farmer. And at one time, the queen was a rather powerless virgin.

Collage of geopolitical symbols, featuring a close-up of a man's bald head, China's flag, a globe highlighting Taiwan, and circuit patterns.

The Present

Why the USSR and China fell behind the US in the Chip Cold War

Both nations made missteps, but China still has a chance to make up lost ground.

Person examining a petri dish with tweezers, holding small colored objects, against a dark background.

Health

Are microplastics really destroying our health?

They’re in our brains, hearts, and blood — but what are they doing to us?

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.

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Guest Thinkers

Should we get rid of technology directors?

[This is a guest post from Doug Green. If you’re interested in being a guest blogger, drop me a note. Happy reading!] Update: see also Don Watkins’ response to this […]