bigthinkeditor
“U.S. policymakers should find every available means over the next decade to ensure that American economic and military power remains indispensable to China’s rise.”
“Some astronomers believe a hidden mini star nicknamed Nemesis is orbiting the sun, but a new analysis of life extinction cycles on Earth suggests this dark companion may not exist.”
“It makes no difference whether determinism is true or false. We can’t be ultimately morally responsible either way.” A philosophy professor takes the gravity out of the free-will debate.
“We’re not in a double-dip recession yet. We’re in a one and a half dip recession.” Robert Reich says the President should advocate a WPA-style public works program.
“The dignity of sumo wrestling vanishing. Allegations of match-fixing, dope-smoking, orgies, and ties to gangsters among the sport’s top stars have enraged the Japanese public.”
Publishers are irrevocably changing their industry as they make more and more titles available as e-books, says Goodnight Gutenburg. Soon agents may be publishing their authors electronically.
Once the process of aging is correctly identified, will pharmaceuticals be able to counteract it? Slate reviews two books that take on aging and the human endeavor for immorality.
Ta-Nehisi Coates asks, “How does one deal with finding out that one of your most beloved artworks was created by a man or woman whose personal behavior is (or was) odious?”
“Behind every successful entrepreneur is a vast network.” And the more diverse the network, the better, says a study of successful entrepreneurs’ social networks.
“I think the primary technological barrier that keeps us from being more emotionally engaged with video games is the barrier of speech,” says Jesse Schell, the video game designer and […]
The U.S. Navy has successfully tested a sea-bound laser weapon, ushering in a new era of warfare. In light of this news, Big Think presents a timeline of the history of laser technology.
Legendary reporter Carl Bernstein stopped by Big Think’s offices this afternoon for a video interview to talk about the legacy of Watergate, the state of investigative journalism today, and how […]
Money doesn’t buy happiness because when we try to treat ourselves, we can end up spoiling ourselves, ruining the enjoyment of everyday pleasures like a chocolate bar, says Wired Science.
“The heaviest and brightest star known to exist—with a mass some 300 times as big as our own Sun—has been discovered by British astronomers.” The Independent reports.
The disturbing imagery of blocking the sun to slow climate change aside, geoengineering faces serious practical concerns. The Economist looks at the ups and downs of this radical solution.
While appreciating music does stimulate the brain, “It will be a sad day when the only way to persuade educationalists to embrace music is via its side effects on cognition and intelligence.”
A former Treasury secretary, a labor union leader, a hedge-fund billionaire, and an heiress all agree: “The estate tax’s impending revival couldn’t come at a better time.”
In his new book, Wesley J. Smith says the precondition for the human rights movement is exactly what elevates humans above animals: namely, a moral sense of right and wrong.
Is current Middle East violence the after effect of a stabilizing Ottoman Empire or a modern consequence of leaders exploiting cultural differences for political gain?
“America, are you happy? The emotional words contained in hundreds of millions of messages posted to the Twitter website may hold the answer.” Two scientists on mulling Twitter data.
BP, Tiger Woods, Goldman Sachs: Why haven’t public relations machines been able to keep their companies’ images better intact? Have social media overwhelmed these propaganda machines?
“What’s wrong with praising our troops to the rafters and adding them to our pantheon of heroes? A lot.” A retired lieutenant colonel laments the blanket praise heaped on our troops.
Entomologist Mark Moffett stopped by the Big Think offices today to share a few lessons that he’s gleaned from his work studying ant societies and his time as a nature […]
Tomorrow at 2:00 PM EST, Big Think will host a live-streamed interview with the Jason Fried, co-founder of 37signals and author of the modern workplace manifesto “Rework.” Fried’s thoughts on […]
Novelist Bret Easton Ellis is used to people asking him about the numb, disconnectedness of his characters—and whether that’s a reflection of his own worldview. Not so much, he says: […]
Paul Di Filippo on, “How a long-dead Frenchman became one of the most important science fiction writers in current American culture.” Join the Jules Verne revival at Salon.com.
“If something has been around longer, it must be better. New research suggests we hold onto that bias even in instances where quality has nothing to do with longevity.”
“Thanks to period-music evangelists, breathtaking virtuosity, and millions of listeners, the art form remains vibrant.” The City Journal on the relevance of classical music today.
The arms industry, much like our domestic pacific economy, is looking for a bump in exports given the recession. Weapons manufacturers want to sell arms in the Middle East and Asia.
Is freedom of religion still a valued principle in America? “The Ground Zero mosque is only one of several mosques that are being strongly opposed. Opposition to mosques is on the rise.”