Mind and Behavior

Mind and Behavior

A yellow brain drawing on a blue background, emphasizing speech.
The structure is fully developed in humans, partially developed in chimps, and completely absent in Old World monkeys.
A fish fossil is on display in a museum.
Metaphors like the Great Chain of Being can lead people to misunderstand evolution and humanity’s place in the web of life.
A man with sunglasses and a hat on against a purple background.
Decades of Alzheimer's research might have missed a cellular culprit hiding in plain sight.
An image of a spiritually enlightened man posing with a celestial blue ball in tribute to Carl Sagan.
In polarized times, our shared cellular origin can unite us in solidarity and awe — from the embryonic scale to the grandest cosmic perspective.
Ancient headless stone Buddha statue with one arm missing, seated cross-legged against a solid dark purple background.
9mins
Spirituality declines, depression rises. Is there a link?
An image of a sunset through a window.
How the simple act of watching twilight can radically transform our perception of the world and our role within it.
John Templeton Foundation
A person's hand is interacting with a blue screen.
AI programs like ChatGPT can create "thanabots" based on deceased loved ones' digital communications, allowing us to talk with the departed.
Black and white abstract drawing of a bull with geometric shapes and bold outlines, standing on a plain background.
5mins
Evolution doesn’t fix things — it reinvents them. A biologist explains.
John Templeton Foundation
An image of a face with a blurred background.
1hr 13mins
This two-time debate world champion gives three tips for constructing the perfect argument.
The demixed Beatles are shown in a crowd of people at the Hollywood Bowl.
Engineer James Clarke liberated John, Paul, George, and Ringo from their mono and stereo straitjackets using algorithms at Abbey Road.
A creative spark ignites amidst darkness.
Scott Dikkers discusses comedy, the creative process, and life lessons learned playing peekaboo.
A night sky filled with numerous shooting stars during the Perseid meteor shower.
Each year in mid-August, Earth plows through the debris stream of an enormous comet, creating the Perseids. 2023's show will be magnificent!
A woman in a vibrant dress is standing against a minimalist backdrop.
Why does the DMT experience feel so familiar to some people — even those who are trying the psychedelic for the first time?
A black and white drawing of a **shark** with its mouth open.
If cocaine affects sharks at all, it does so as an anesthetic, not as a stimulant.
Dune features a determined protagonist in Frank Herbert's science fiction masterpiece.
These initially sympathetic characters take readers down a dark path.
Judith Butler in a black jacket and grey scarf.
A primer on Judith Butler’s theory of gender and performativity.
A man's hand holding a pair of dumbbells on a black background.
Exercise can have surprisingly transformative impacts on the brain, according to neuroscientist Wendy Suzuki. It has the power not only to boost mood and focus due to an increase in […]
A painting showcasing the enigmatic visage of a bearded man, invoking intrigue and perhaps evoking insight into the psychology of criminals through subtle symbolism.
Great writing can unveil the criminal psyche better than any other artistic medium.
Two men sitting in front of a modern typewriter.
Probability, lacking solid theoretical foundations and burdened with paradoxes, was jokingly called the “theory of misfortune.”
A woman experiencing a near-death event with her head uplifted.
There were many similarities, but also some profound differences.
A monochrome portrait showcasing a man's head.
"I thought strangers knew who I was and were whispering about me as I walked by."
A vintage illustration shows two rows of glowing, human-like figures with radiating lines, set against a dark, textured background.
6mins
Modern life replaced spirituality with goal-setting — and it’s making us depressed. Here’s how to win back your happiness.
A phenomenological representation of a man's head with an intricate diagram.
The idea is to study the thing itself — be it a work of literature, death, family, a car, a vaccine, or the hospital — without preconceived notions, trendy easy answers, or dogma imposed on it.
A stoic man with a beard in a black and white photo.
Stoicism is popular today but often misunderstood and misapplied. In fact, a naive interpretation of Stoicism is damaging to your well-being.
A drawing using the loci method depicting a tunnel with variably colored pillars.
Modern memory athletes use this ancient technique to memorize thousands of digits of pi.
A carnival-themed painting of a crowd.
The carnival spirit was in full swing when the priests got wasted and made indecent gestures while dressed like pimps.