Big Think Media Bias

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What's better than maps or stamps? Maps on stamps! - Big Think

Maps and stamps do have a few things in common. Both are essentially utilitarian graphics. Both often transcend their original mission to become delightful works of art, communicating a wide range of messages. And both have achieved their “classic” form via the medium of paper, which is why their translation into digital form feels like a threat to their continued existence.
Big Think     Jan 12, 2023

3 steps to cure your money anxiety

Talking about money, especially how much you earn, is often considered taboo. But talking about money can sometimes be a good thing. It’s not exactly known why talking about money is taboo, but one hypothesis is that it highlights inequality or causes resentment. Depending on the culture, the comfort level of talking about money differs. Some companies are looking to open up the compensation conversation more. The post 3 steps to cure your money anxiety
Big Think     Jan 11, 2023

New physics? Ultra-precise measurement in particle physics confounds scientists

science

Modern physics is in an unsettling state. The Standard Model is the name of the best theory ever devised to explain subatomic physics, and it is wildly successful, with many measurements agreeing extremely well with predictions. However, there remain some very big mysteries. For instance, current theory cannot explain why antimatter isn’t observed in nature, nor can it provide an explanation for dark matter or dark energy. So, it is clear that the Standard Model is incomplete. Despite decades of experimentation using large particle accelerators, researchers have not found any discrepancy that points them in a promising direction. However, particle accelerators are not the only way to study the laws of nature.
Big Think     Jan 11, 2023

Need to find your focus? Take some time to lose it.

Why do people lose focus and get distracted? It’s a common conception that people might be deeply focused on something, then along comes an interruption, and afterward, it’s hard to focus again, leading to boredom. But what if a person’s particular attentional state makes them susceptible to distractions?
Big Think     Jan 11, 2023

Your circadian rhythm influences how well your medication works

health

All living organisms on Earth are exposed to a 24-hour day-night cycle. This cycle is the reason why people rest during the darkness of night and are active during the light of day. Consequently, allhuman body functionsalso follow this daily rhythm, and the timing of behaviors like exercise or food intake can significantly influence your health. For example,eating at nightcan lead to weight gain over time because while daytime food intake is used for activities, food intake at night leads to increased fat storage because the body expects to be at rest. When you take your medications is also influenced by your circadian rhythm.Many drug targetsin the body follow a 24-hour cycle.
Big Think     Jan 11, 2023

If we live in a capitalist world, why is it taboo to talk about money?

From weekly episodes of Keeping up with the Kardashians to the outrageously expensive costumes and jewelry displayed at the MET Gala, mainstream media is full of reminders that our culture mostly revolves around money and consumerism. But while we are taught from a young age that one of our primary goals in life is to amass as much wealth as possible, talking about our own income with other people is considered inappropriate. Before we discuss how this blatant contradiction came into being, it’s important to recognize that the so-called “money taboo” is a bit more nuanced than we tend to give it credit for.
Big Think     Jan 11, 2023

Scientists discover a previously unknown part of the brain - Big Think

science

The Subarachnoidal LYmphatic-like Membrane, or SLYM for short, divides the subarachnoid space, the region that contains cerebrospinal fluid surrounding the brain, into two compartments. Researchers in the labs of Maiken Nedergaard, co-director of the Center for Translational Neuromedicine, and Kjeld Møllgård, a professor of neuroanatomy, discovered the diminutive layer, which is just a few cells thick, using high-resolution two-photon excitation microscopy. Coupled with fluorescent protein dyes, the technique produced remarkably detailed images on the micrometer scale within living organisms.
Big Think     Jan 09, 2023

A new look at the strange case of the first gene-edited babies

health

In the four years since an experiment by disgraced scientist He Jiankui resulted in thebirth of the first babies with edited genes, numerous articles, books andinternationalcommissionshave reflected on whether and how heritable genome editing – that is, modifying genes that will be passed on to the next generation – should proceed. They’ve reinforced an international consensus that it’s premature to proceed with heritable genome editing. Yet, concern remains that some individuals might buck that consensus and recklessly forge ahead – just as He Jiankui did. Some observers –myself included– havecharacterized He as a rogue. However, the new documentary “Make People Better,” directed by filmmaker Cody Sheehy, leans toward a different narrative.
Big Think     Jan 08, 2023

A far-out plan to build an asteroid city

science

Okay, look, theyknowtheir paper is a bit… out there. But what are a bunch of physicists to do when a pandemic grinds the world to a halt if not work on something “wildly theoretical,” as they put it? And there’s few things more aptly described as such than an asteroid city. Even more wild: they’ve got an idea they think — and the math says — could work (if we are ever in a position to do it). “Our paper lives on the edge of science and science fiction,” University of Rochester professor of physics and astronomy (and Big Think 13.8 columnist) Adam Franksaid.
Big Think     Jan 08, 2023

"Jumping genes": A new model of Alzheimer's - Big Think

The causes of Alzheimer’s Disease are complex and mysterious. Alzheimer’s is characterized by the build-up of plaques and tangles, consisting of insoluble amyloid and tau proteins, respectively, in the brain tissue, and for decades it was widely believed that plaques are the culprit.
Big Think     Jan 08, 2023

Harvard professor argues for rationality

science

There is no force in the Universe called progress. But there are plenty of natural forces that only seem to make it harder for us to make progress as a species, such as disease, the laws of entropy, and the dark sides of human nature. So, what pushes humanity forward in the face of all these obstacles? To psychologist Steven Pinker, the answer is rationality. When people use their reasoning skills and other cognitive abilities to help improve the lives of others, the result is progress. From pseudoscience to religious extremism, irrational beliefs can cause real harm. That’s why Pinker argues that society would be better off if more people learned to be more rational.
Big Think     Jan 07, 2023

How biologist and artist Ernst Haeckel defrauded and hijacked science

tech

You’ve probably seen Ernst Haeckel’s work, without realizing it.His illustrationsof radiolarians, bat faces, mosses, crustaceans, mushrooms, hummingbirds, and other specimens are breathtaking — iconic to this day. He found extraordinary success inharnessing visual mediatoconveyandembellishhis ideas to scientists and laymen alike. Credit: Ernst Haeckel, Kunstformen der Natur via Wikimedia / Public domain While the art lives on, his technical brilliance is overshadowed by the consequences of his relentless championing of science. His fervent beliefs led him to disregard truth and preach dark ideas. Haeckel’s kingdom Haeckel’s contributions to biology were substantial. HedefinedProtista, the first kingdom of life recognized outside of plants and animals, as well asecology, the now ubiquitous concept of studying life in the context ...
Big Think     Jan 07, 2023