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Philosophy
3 min
The case for useless knowledge
Astrobiologist Betül Kaçar on why the simple act of asking questions (without needing a reason) is one of the most powerful things a human can do.
40 min
The Roman Empire, explained in 39 minute
"One of the ways you can see the Roman Empire is it's the worldwide web of its day."
Ask Ethan: Are parallel universes and the multiverse real?
Parallel universes are among the most profound notions in all of quantum physics. It's a compelling and fascinating idea, but is it true?
The importance of intuition and the limits of rationalism
Welcome to The Nightcrawler — a weekly newsletter from Eric Markowitz covering tech, innovation, and long-term thinking.
20 min
How two freak accidents shaped human evolution
“So many things could have happened in a different way that we wouldn't be here at all, both individually, for sure, and certainly as a species.”
6 min
The true cost of always needing to win an argument
“What did you win? You won awkward silence. You won their contempt. You won the first to apologize. When you win an argument, you will lose their confidence, you will lose their respect, you will lose the connection.”
3 min
How to expand your influence, according to 2 experts
Your body language sends messages before your mouth does. Author Robert Greene and negotiation expert Daniel Shapiro PhD explain the key characteristics of nonverbal power and emotional presence that shape how others perceive you.
Unlikely Collaborators
What a nuclear reactor on the Moon really means for NASA’s future
There are real concerns with long-term power generation on the Moon; nuclear could be the answer. But for NASA, will the cost be too high?
Einstein didn’t say that: How viral misquotes evolve and replicate
From Einstein to Twain, Garson O’Toole investigates the truth behind your favorite — and often misattributed — quotes.
The Bogumil Baranowski interview: “Treat everyone with care”
The investment advisor and host of the Talking Billions podcast explores childhood curiosity, building networks through kindness, and more.
1 min
Michio Kaku wants to solve Einstein’s unfinished equation
“An equation, perhaps no more than one inch long, that would allow us to, quote, 'Read the mind of God.'”
Ask Ethan: Why do scientists avoid the possibility of God?
When it comes to our Universe's origins, scientists discuss the Big Bang, cosmic inflation, and other theories. Why doesn't "God" come up?
18 min
Anxiety gives you an advantage. Unlock it with neuroplasticity
“Anxiety is focused on things that are important to you in life. That is the key.”
Most social trends aren’t what they seem
Our minds crave simple, linear narratives. But society rarely follows a straight line.
Why “vibe physics” is the ultimate example of AI slop
The conversation you're having with an LLM about groundbreaking new ideas in theoretical physics is completely meritless. Here's why.
5 big unanswered questions about the origin of life
Somewhere, at some point in the history of our Universe, life arose. We're evidence of that here on Earth, but many big puzzles remain.
3 min
How and why your memories shift over time, explained by neuroscience
Your brain changes when you experience something, and it changes again when you remember it. Two neuroscientists explain what that means for memory, perception, and identity.
Unlikely Collaborators
3 min
This one essential trait begins shaping us seconds after birth
What if emotional regulation isn’t just a trait, but a skill parents and teachers can help develop? Ethan Kross reveals what science says about shaping young minds.
5 science facts that come from simply watching the Moon
Even just by examining the Moon with the unaided eye, we can learn an incredible amount about the Moon, Earth, and more.
1 min
What 85 years of research says is the real key to happiness
“We can make ourselves more likely to be happy by building a life that includes the conditions that make for happiness.”
Ask Ethan: Did our Universe really arise from nothing?
The Big Bang was hot, dense, uniform, and filled with matter and energy. Before that? There was nothing. Here's how that's possible.
The art of mentorship and long-term thinking
Welcome to The Nightcrawler — a weekly newsletter from Eric Markowitz covering tech, innovation, and long-term thinking.
17 min
How the illusion of self shapes your reality
"The sense that we are a solid entity, an unchanging entity that exists someplace in our body and takes ownership of our body, and even ownership of our brain rather than being identical to our brain, that is where the illusion lies."
The Universe requires quantum fields, not just quantum particles
Realizing that matter and energy are quantized is important, but quantum particles aren't the full story; quantum fields are needed, too.
The public-private myth: Why religion can’t be kept behind closed doors
It makes no sense to talk about a “religious life” and a “public life” — there is just life.
8 min
The genius guide to future-proofing your career
“The simplest, most powerful way to reinforce work, not jobs, is to ask people to do something different.”
How to escape the “dopamine crash loop” and rewire your curiosity
Stuck on a hamster wheel of mindless social media scrolling? Neuroscientist Anne-Laure Le Cunff explains how to consciously redirect your reward system.
The migraine mystery: Why evolution never cured the pain in our heads
In "The Headache," Tom Zeller Jr. explores one of the human brain's most enduring, and painful, enigmas.