Surprising Science

To what extent do we treat computers like humans? If computers praised our abilities, told us we were doing a good job, would it flatter us or would we see through the artificial compliments?

“People are more likely to acquire new health practices while living in networks with dense clusters of connections—that is, when in close contact with people they already know well.”

“The universe arises from scientific processes, not God—as Hawking himself would have agreed decades ago.” Hawking hasn’t changed his mind about God, says a former interviewer.

Is a person’s propensity toward evil a matter of malfunctioning synapses and neurons? Michael Stone, professor of clinical psychiatry at Columbia University and author of “The Anatomy of Evil,” says […]

“The universe was not created by God, scientist Stephen Hawking has said in his new book. Professor Hawking believes the laws of physics were behind the Big Bang instead.”

“Apple is expected to use its press conference later today to unveil new-look iPods, a revamped Apple TV and possibly a music-streaming service, according to industry observers.”

“People who drink heavily live longer than those who completely abstain from alcohol, according to a new study conducted by a psychologist at the University of Texas.”

Despite its social taboo, the use of hallucinogenic drugs in laboratory experiments has a robust history in the treatment of diseases like alcoholism and depression.

“Human charity is ultimately rooted in our compassionate feelings, and not in some rational, utilitarian calculations. We are not Vulcans.” The Frontal Cortex on why we help want to help others.

“The men are real. The girls are cartoon.” Increasing numbers of Japanese men are flocking to Atami, a city that promotes weekend date packages with one of three virtual girlfriends.

The bottle of wine you and your partner shared last night didn’t kill a single neuron in your head and, contrary to what you’ve been told, you are always using […]

Today is the last day of the Month of Thinking Dangerously here at Big Think, and in that spirit, we are presenting some more dangerous ideas from bioethicist Jacob Appel. […]

“More doctors are turning to repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) of their patient’s brains, but fears of possible seizures may be limiting its growth as a therapeutic tool.”

“If our’ sense of time is largely a cognitive illusion, then where does the illusion come from?” The Frontal Cortex blog follows neuroscientists looking for the nature of time from within the mind.

Scientists at MIT are working to synthesize bacteria found living in sea sponges on the ocean floor, which when in danger emit a chemical that has been shown to eliminate tumor cells.

“Mobile phones have been sold as business tools, fashion accessories and social organisers. But they can also be lifesavers.” The Telegraph reports on ten apps with tangible health benefits.

Media consultant Frédéric Filloux rejects the notion that the internet has been taken over by mobile applications and that the web as we know it will soon be dead.

“Swiss health care is a blend of public and private, free to those who need it but with extra options for those who can afford them.” The Adam Smith Institute asks: “Would it work here?”

“English does oblige you to specify certain types of information that can be left to the context in other languages.” A researcher at the University of Manchester explains how language affects thought.

“Move over solar, wind and wave power—there’s a new renewable on the block. Researchers are experimenting with devices that can pull electricity from the air.” Wired Science explains.

“Why did our ancestors eat each other? Simple: They were hungry.” Discovery News reports on findings of cannibalism that refute explanatory theories like ritualism or starvation.

The world’s top mathematics prize that outshines even the Nobel, the Fields Medal ceremony in India contrasts the romanticized and turbulent life of mathematical revolutionaries.

A novelist and two neuroscientists came by Big Think’s offices this past week. Jonathan Safran Foer, one of the most acclaimed young novelists of the past decade, spoke to us […]

As we discussed in the previous Going Mental posts, some of the most fundamental mechanisms of the human brain remain a mystery to scientists. Consciousness, intelligence, and sleep are so […]

A groundbreaking 1981 study that showed that it is not our physical state that limits us, but our mindset about our own limits, is set to feature in a movie starring Jennifer Aniston.

Facing a slow-motion food crisis the world should learn from Brazil, which reacted to its farm crisis with boldness, expanding production through science, not subsidies.

“As far as scientists can tell, we humans seem to be the only species that shed tears for emotional reasons.” Is there an evolutionary advantage to being inspired to weep?

“Walking up the side of buildings like Spiderman could soon be a reality, scientists have claimed.” But the new technology was inspired by the gecko rather than the spider.

“A debate on Cartesian dualism has led to radically differing approaches to the treatment of depression.” A new book reveals how much is at stake in our understanding of the mind.

Jonah Lehrer at Frontal Cortex explains the most recent housing slump in terms of behavioral psychology: because humans innately fear loss, both sides of the market have stalled.