The Latest from Big Think

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Neuroscientist and author Sam Harris discusses a form of spirituality founded on science and reason.
“The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.”
Is there an ideal atmosphere for creativity and innovation? Research suggests that dim light, a little messiness, and a shot of liquid courage are all boons to the artistic spirit.
Science writer Benedict Carey explains in his new book that the brain is a forager, not a school learner. Carey advocates for teaching students more about how and why they learn.
In “The Numbers Game: Why Everything You Know About Soccer Is Wrong” authors Chris Anderson and David Sally begin their argument with a quote from Bill James: “In sports, what […]
Social media swashbucklers have been hurling loads of "aarghs" and "mateys" today in celebration of the silliest made-up holiday of them all, International Talk Like a Pirate Day. The only problem: that sort of pirate talk is nothing more than the stuff of 20th century pop culture.
Is there a way to see past the barrier the Universe puts up before it became transparent to light? Image credit: Mark Kamionkowski, of gravitational waves. “From earliest times, humans — explorers […]
As the importance of interpersonal interaction grew, so did variations in our ancestors' facial appearance. This why the face and it features are the most diverse parts of the human body.
"In the information age, you don't teach philosophy as they did after feudalism. You perform it. If Aristotle were alive today he'd have a talk show." -Timothy Leary
How the location of the famous Ebbets Field facade appears today in Brooklyn, NY. (h/t @DugoutLegends)
With limited land space and widespread public distrust in nuclear power, the Japanese have taken to the seas to cull energy by installing sprawling solar power plants that float right on the water.
There are some industries in which a company that embraces quirkiness can thrive and succeed on the strength of its authenticity. 
8mins
Shmuley Boteach argues that men have affairs because their low self-esteem requires constant affirmation. Boteach, an American Orthodox rabbi, is author of "Kosher Lust: Love is Not the Answer."
Kant’s proposal may seem implausible, but it’s good advice: give up the search. 
How we discovered what the Universe was made of when it first formed. Image credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/PSU/K. Getman et al.; IRL NASA/JPL-Caltech/CfA/J. Wang et al. “The nitrogen in our DNA, […]
The above photo, taken by Greg Varinot, is part of a larger album you can peruse here.  For all things ocean-related check out our collection of interviews with renowned oceanographer Sylvia […]
A recent Annenberg survey reveals what we already know: Americans, by and large, are ignorant of their country's constitutional framework. The predictable calls for tougher high school civics standards ignore the fact that people don't have much of a reason to care about the government.
Today I want to share the most powerful and useful model of behavior that I’ve ever encountered: The Fogg Behavior Model. There have been few other ideas that have impacted […]
Everyone's come across a real-life Michael Scott at some point. Bosses who try way too hard to keep their workers happy run a risk of ultimately alienating employees and losing their respect. The important thing to remember is to not smother anyone in your efforts.
One day while walking through Rutgers' Quad Two on the way to the gym, I noticed my friend Shelton across the lawn. As he bounced along the sidewalk—he was in […]