Guest Thinkers — April 14, 2010

What’s Life Like Without Sex?

Ever wonder what it’s like to lead a life of chastity? Jesuit priest and author James Martin explains. “I find people can be freer with me. When I become close friends with somebody they’re not wondering, is he becoming friends because of sex? On a practical level it makes you a lot more mobile.” To Martin, celibacy has nothing to do with the abuse scandals in the Catholic Church–those have to do with the church’s culture of secrecy.

Martin touches on everything from his recent feud with Glenn Beck over the concept of social justice, to what it’s like to appear in Stephen Colbert’s hot seat. He also talks about the prevalence of anti-Catholicism in entertainment today.

Collage of classical art suggesting a theme related to somatic markers.

Business

How “somatic markers” can transform your decision-making

Ditch the old brain vs. heart assumptions, and instead think about a heart-led brain.

A black and white image of a bunch of spheres, symbolizing the multiverse concept discussed by scientists.

Starts With A Bang

How logic and reasoning can fail as scientific tools

In logic, 'reductio ad absurdum' shows how flawed arguments fall apart. Our absurd Universe, however, often defies our intuitive reasoning.

A wooden sign indicating "assisted migration rep 2" in a pine forest under a clear blue sky.

Life

Moving trees north to save the forests

As the world warms, trees in forests such as those in Minnesota will no longer be adapted to their local climates. That’s where assisted migration comes in.

Historical map illustration depicting a planned city layout with a circular central area and radiating streets.

Strange Maps

Ohio’s Circleville ditched the grid system. Then it got squared.

A small Ohio town tried to escape America’s addiction to rectangular grids. It didn’t last long.

Bullet Cluster separation mass gravity x-ray lensing

Starts With A Bang

Flagship NASA space telescope faces a penny-pinching death

NASA's only flagship X-ray telescope ever, Chandra, still works and has no planned successor. So why does the President want to kill it?

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