Latest

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Einstein
More than any other equation in physics, E = mc² is recognizable and profound. But what do we actually learn about reality from it?
Illustration depicting "Humanity vs. Nature" with diagrams of evolution, ecocentrism, biocentrism, and anthropocentrism, featuring images of a tree, human evolution, and a whale.
Slowing growth and limiting development isn’t living in harmony with nature—it is surrendering in a battle.
Ancient ruins with stone columns and damaged walls, featuring a statue partially visible in the background. Clear blue sky above.
In popular culture, the eruption is usually depicted as an apocalyptic event.
Four images of tennis matches on grass courts, showing different stages of play, each with two players. The courts show varying degrees of wear from fresh to significantly worn.
How has tennis changed in recent decades? The wear and tear on Wimbledon’s Centre Court may tell the tale.
two particles different wavelength speed of light
The Michelson-Morley experiment of 1887, despite expectations, revealed a null result: no effect. The implications were revolutionary.
A glowing light bulb is in the center of the image, surrounded by various mathematical formulas and equations on a blue background.
Why dispelling the notion that it's all about getting the correct answer is so powerful.
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In new business use cases where AI is the default, the potential results are phenomenal — but humans should play a key strategic role.
For centuries, Newton's inverse square law of gravity worked beautifully, but no one knew why. Here's how Einstein finally explained it.
A close-up digital rendering shows a glowing blue orb with intricate internal patterns, resembling a microscopic or sci-fi object, set against a dark background with scattered lights.
Quarks and leptons are the smallest known subatomic particles. Does the Standard Model allow for an even smaller layer of matter to exist?
A person in a suit stands on stage, gesturing with both hands while speaking into a headset microphone, passionately discussing direct giving in their presentation.
Big Think guest writer Rory Stewart — former UK Secretary of State for International Development and co-host of The Rest Is Politics podcast — made a profound discovery about leadership while working with GiveDirectly.
how many planets
From size to mass to density and more, each world in our Solar System is unique. When we compare them, the results are truly shocking.
A person is lying down in the dark and looking at a smartphone held above their face.
What are we supposed to do when experts look at the same data yet reach starkly different conclusions?
A pink, geometrically shaped object on a light pink background, with colorful sparkles emerging from the top, reminiscent of visual styles often generated by AI models.
More accurate uncertainty estimates could help users decide about how and when to use machine-learning models in the real world.
A computer-generated visualization shows particle collision data with yellow lines and red dots against a black background. The simulated particles appear to interact within a transparent geometric shape.
Today, the Large Hadron Collider is the most powerful particle physics experiment in history. What would a new, successor collider teach us?
A hand holding tweezers grips a small black square against a blue background with concentric white circles.
The lithium-ion alternatives could help create a safer, greener future.
Two ancient statues, framed by red lines, appear to be conversing through modern emoji speech bubbles. One statue displays several emojis, while the other shows a typing indicator.
"I know what you're thinking" can sound kind or creepy — depending on who's saying it.
Digital illustration of a human brain, displaying vibrant colors transitioning from green to blue and pink, set against a gradient and black background.
25mins
“We can use neuroscience and tools from psychology to learn how to take advantage of anxiety.” From Zen Buddhism to flow state, these 3 experts explain how to hack your brain.
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3mins
“Say what you want to say, and not what you feel.” Harvard happiness professor explains ‘metacognition’ techniques so you can grow your emotional intelligence:
Dark matter's hallmark is that it gravitates, but shows no sign of interacting under any other force. Does that mean we'll never detect it?
A digital rendering of a black hole with a glowing, distorted light accretion disk around its event horizon in space, set against a pitch-black background.
A recent paper in the journal Physical Review Letters claims to prove that a "kugelblitz" is not possible.