Guest Thinkers — August 19, 2011

Sophal Ear: Killing Fields

A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

How loneliness is killing us, according to a Harvard professor

60% of people feel disconnected. Harvard professor Robert Waldinger addresses the science behind humanity’s loneliness epidemic and suggests ways to solve it.

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6 min

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with

Robert Waldinger

The Past

Earth’s magnetic field supports biblical stories of destruction of ancient cities

When battles raged in ancient cities, their rocks blazed so brightly that they could be reoriented according to Earth’s magnetic field.

The baskets are filled with different kinds of vegetables.

Health

Fruits and vegetables are trying to kill you

Antioxidant vitamins don’t stress us like plants do—and don’t have their beneficial effect.

An intricate illustration featuring the centipede's dilemma on a blank white canvas.

Business

The centipede’s dilemma: Why overthinking is killing productivity

Discover the ancient wisdom of not pushing the river.

Hard Science

How Mars lost its magnetic field — and then its oceans

Chemical changes inside Mars’ core caused it to lose its magnetic field. This, in turn, caused it to lose its oceans. But how?

Up Next

Guest Thinkers

Beyond Celebrity Adoptions

What the world needs now – and just might be able to listen to – are humanitarian ambassadors like Sophal Ear, who have experienced atrocity and devoted their lives to doing something about it.