Steve Jobs, Bill Gates and Richard Branson all dropped out of school before becoming huge successes. They are exceptions, to be sure, but should we reconsider the value of higher education? 

The micro-lending revolution, which made it possible for community-based lending institutions to bundle together micro-donations of $25 into loans for entrepreneurs in emerging markets, is making its way to your […]

I debated the excellent libertarian author Ronald Bailey over this question at Wheaton College in Massachusetts.  Ron has already responded to me here.  Before I respond to him, I thought […]

I am optimistic for the economic and social outlook for the United States! During the next four or five years we will, once again, shift into gear. "Occupy Wall Street" […]

Robots are usually designed with very specific tasks in mind. But the “foambot”, though it looks ungainly, lets you decide on the task and build on the spot.  

The Italian Renaissance remains one of those amazing hinges of human history where civilization made a great leap that continues to be felt today. For German art historian Hans Belting, […]

In a previous post, Big Think speculated about what Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi's death would mean -- for the Arab Spring, for the price of oil, for President Barack Obama, etc. […]

A woman recently shared with me the secret to finding a husband. She told me to write a list of qualities that my ideal man would have and tape it […]

This paper, published online yesterday in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B, introduces a new term to neuroscience: The FBN, or "Facebook number." Your Facebook number is, of course, […]

The CEO of IDEO, a global design consultancy, explains how to use design to facilitate creativity, collaboration, and engagement at work.

How do you bring technology to countries underserved by the Internet and other tech the U.S. takes for granted? An SMS social network & a slate that converts handwriting to data.

What are five disruptive cleantech innovations that could enable large-scale change? 3D printing, energy harvesting, energy storage, fuel cell technology, and smart meters.  

Light field technology is the key to a new camera allowing you to be re-focus images minutes, days or even years after the shot, or to view them in 3D.

The prototype of a hydrogen fuel cell tram has been built in Spain. The emission-free tram can carry 20-30 passengers at up to 20 kmh and should enter service next year.

I've been having a high old time the last couple of weeks watching both Republican presidential candidates and TV political pundits squirm whenever the phrase “9-9-9” is uttered. Nevertheless, Herman […]

Why didn't humans become as peaceful as we are today tens of thousands of years ago?

Charities that depend on donations and fund-raising to survive have it hard enough in the best of times. But in this depressed economy, it must be more difficult than ever. […]

My friends, I have to confess an unpardonable lapse of judgment. I have some very bad news to deliver, and what's worse, I forgot to tell you until now, when […]

Deb Roy has created a machine that connects TV show impressions to expressions in social media. This has extraordinary implications for advertising, and also promises to "rewire how our democratic process works in the future."