Guest Thinkers — December 21, 2010

Coming Home

A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

It should come as little surprise to readers of this blog, despite the fact that I attempted to fly under the radar, that I have been in Yemen for the past three weeks. But I am now on my way home and posting should resume as normal on Monday.

I owe a special thanks to all of the many people, the vast majority of whom do not wish to be named for various reasons, that kindly agreed to meet with me and talk with me over the past few weeks. I learned a great deal, as is always the case. It was also nice to meet so many readers of the blog – see I knew you guys (and gals) existed even if you don’t comment.

There are a number of things that I learned that I will be discussing further in writings and talks over the next couple of months. Stay tuned.

A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

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Thinking

Can AI write authentic poetry?

Cognitive psychologist and poet Keith Holyoak explores whether artificial intelligence could ever achieve poetic authenticity.

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Neuropsych

The growing link between microbes, mood, and mental health

Research suggests that to maintain a healthy brain, we should tend our gut microbiome.

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Business

Why “linguistic similarity” is so often the key to success

Want to get ahead at work? It ain’t what you say, it’s the way that you say it — and adaptability is essential.

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An untold story of LSD psychotherapy in communist Czechoslovakia

Uncovering the story of Milan Hausner, the Sadská clinic, and LSD psychotherapy behind the Iron Curtain.

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Starts With A Bang

Giant ring? Giant arc? These “structures” may not even be real

Astronomers claim to have found structures so large, they shouldn’t exist. With such biased, incomplete observations, perhaps they don’t.

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