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History and Society
Tech expert Peter Leyden argues that we have a historic opportunity to harness AI and other transformative technologies in order to make a much better world over the next 25 years.
All scientific theories are limited in scope, power, and application, being mere approximations of reality. That's why consensus is vital.
The history of catastrophe shows that true resilience comes not from restoration, but from reinvention.
Some nebulae emit their own light, some reflect the light from stars around them, and some only absorb light. But that's just the beginning.
When we see spiral galaxies, some are face-on, others are edge-on, but most are tipped at an angle. But which side is closest to us?
Barnard's star, the closest singlet star system to ours, has long been a target for planet-hunters. We've finally confirmed it: they exist!
Back in 1970, Sister Mary Jucunda wrote NASA, decrying large investments in science. A former Nazi's legendary response is still relevant.
Just 165,000 light-years away, the Large Magellanic Cloud is suspected to house a supermassive black hole. At last, evidence has arrived.
There are some 26 fundamental constants in nature, and their values enable our Universe to exist as it does. But where do they come from?
By weaponizing the global economy, the U.S. initiated a new era of economic warfare and transformed how major powers compete.
Under extreme conditions, matter takes on properties that lead to remarkable, novel possibilities. Topological superconductors included.
A new bill introduced into the US Senate claims to make us safer. Instead, it would destroy all virology research, and for no real cause.
A study on the “moral circles” of liberals and conservatives gets drafted into the culture wars — with mixed results.
Whether we should tear down philosophy’s Berlin Wall and let East and West finally merge depends entirely on what we think philosophy is—and what it’s for.
While death-bed utterances are more famous, baby’s first words have influenced us too.
We've wasted our time and resources ideologically policing and punishing each other for far too long. Here's a better route to prosperity.
The full extent of the Andromeda galaxy, the nearest large galaxy to our own, has been entirely imaged with Hubble's exquisite cameras.
The more you know, the better you can act.
From acclaimed novels to heretical treatises, sometimes a writer just doesn't want to put their name on the cover.
A brief guide to habits that separate deep understanding from superficial knowledge — and how to cultivate them.
Ring galaxies are rare, but we think we know how they form. A new, early-stage version, the Bullseye galaxy, provides a new testing ground.
Delirium is one of the most perplexing deathbed phenomena, exposing the gap between our cultural ideals of dying words and the reality of a disoriented mind.
Could AI develop true intelligence without sentience? Philosopher Jonathan Birch explores the boundaries of artificial and evolved minds.
The primary causes of global climate change are all due to human activity. Adding aerosols to our atmosphere only exacerbates the problem.
Migration statistics should be regarded with wariness as they are difficult to analyze properly and easily manipulated for political gain.
Retrofitting America's aging dams for hydropower — while removing ecologically harmful ones — may be a productive path forward.
Historically, astronomers have often named things creatively, bizarrely, and often inaccurately. But which terms are the most egregious?
Welcome to The Nightcrawler — a weekly newsletter from Eric Markowitz covering tech, innovation, and long-term thinking.
If we wish to tackle the very real problems society faces, we require expert-level knowledge. Valuing it starts earlier than we realize.
We need to fully acknowledge problems, while vigorously pursuing solutions. Call it “solutionism.”