Commentary On Science And Society

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Albert Einstein's formula of relativity.

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Can Scientific Belief Go Too Far?

by Marcelo Gleiser

October 29, 2014 • Can scientists have too much faith, insisting that an idea is right despite contrary evidence? Commentator Marcelo Gleiser says yes, which could pay off in the end — or be a colossal waste of time.

This image from Monday shows extreme ultraviolet light that highlights the hot solar material in the sun's atmosphere. NASA/SDO hide caption

itoggle caption NASA/SDO

Need Perspective? Watch Our Crazy Star, The Sun

by Adam Frank

October 28, 2014 • Astrophysicist Adam Frank often tells his students that one reason to study science is that it puts our lives in perspective. Take a look at this video of the sun, and you'll see what he means.

An Apple employee explains the features of the new iMac, including its Retina 5K display. Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP hide caption

itoggle caption Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP

What An Advertising Challenge Illustrates About The Mind

by Tania Lombrozo

October 27, 2014 • Commentator Tania Lombrozo uses Apple's new Retina 5K display offering to illustrate a deep point about the limits of human learning.

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Behind The Scenes: Ethics Of Wolf Wars And Turtle Travels

by Barbara J. King

October 23, 2014 • Unethical practices are widespread in the making of wildlife films and TV programs, says anthropologist Barbara J. King. She urges viewers to fight back.

The Void Is A Busy Place

by Marcelo Gleiser

October 22, 2014 • Is there such a thing as complete emptiness or nothingness? Not according to modern physics, where empty space gets more active all the time, says commentator Marcelo Gleiser.

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Does Being 'Spiritual But Not Religious' Really Mean Anything?

by Adam Frank

October 21, 2014 • The self-defined "unaffiliated" are apt not to reject science's promise of knowledge based on evidence but, rather, to embrace it, says commentator Adam Frank.

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Are Factual And Religious Belief The Same?

by Tania Lombrozo

October 20, 2014 • Commentator Tania Lombrozo considers a new paper that may help make sense of the coexistence of seemingly contradictory religious and scientific beliefs.

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What Art, And The Game Telephone, Teach Us About Copying

by Alva Noë

October 17, 2014 • The basic phenomenon of speaking, expressing meaning in words — and also that of copying or recording what we hear — is laid bare before our eyes by artist Alvin Lucier, says commentator Alva Noë.

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When Is It OK For Scientists To Become Political?

by Adam Frank

October 16, 2014 • The power of science and pervasiveness of technology puts scientists in a position of unique responsibility that can make political activism very slippery, says commentator Adam Frank.

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The Never-Ending Climb Of Mount Science

by Marcelo Gleiser

October 15, 2014 • Commentator Marcelo Gleiser says the mystery that surrounds us will always be here; there is no complete or final knowledge, and this fact gives science a unique character.

Female sprinters in the starting blocks.

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Why Can't Dutee Run?

by Alva Noë

October 10, 2014 • Commentator Alva Noë says the decision to ban the Indian sprinter from competition suggests her fault is that she isn't "deficient" enough to count as female.

Due to fears of Ebola, Excalibur, the pet of a nurse assistant infected with the virus in Madrid, was euthanized as a precautionary measure. AP hide caption

itoggle caption AP

Ebola, Outrage And The Killing Of A Dog

by Barbara J. King

October 9, 2014 • Excalibur, a dog whose owner was diagnosed this week with Ebola, has been euthanized in Spain. Anthropologist Barbara J. King takes a look at the global response, urging compassion for all creatures.

Pete Coppolillo/ Working Dogs For Conservation

When Dogs, Cats And Rats Come To The Rescue

by Barbara J. King

October 9, 2014 • Humans haven't cornered the market on heroism. As anthropologist Barbara J. King notes, other animals ranging from dogs and cats to elephant seals and African pouched rats can win our hearts, too.

Superintelligence: Triumph Or Threat?

by Marcelo Gleiser

October 8, 2014 • If we are able to create intelligent machines, how can we guarantee they will keep us alive and well, as opposed to wiping us out? Nick Bostrom explores the question in Superintelligence.

Tony Zhou's essay on the dilemma directors face integrating new technologies references this scene from the BBC TV series Sherlock, in which text messages are depicted on screen. YouTube/A Brief Look at Texting and the Internet in Film hide caption

itoggle caption YouTube/A Brief Look at Texting and the Internet in Film

Culture

How Do U Film Txts? Here's How Technology And Cinema Evolve Together.

by Adam Frank

October 7, 2014 • Commentator Adam Frank takes a look at a video essay exploring the dilemma of integrating new technologies, already ingrained in our lives, into movies about those lives.

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Science

Putting A Critical Eye On Brain Imaging Studies

by Tania Lombrozo

October 6, 2014 • Studies based on fMRI scans are released frequently. But how do you know what's for real? Commentator Tania Lombrozo points to MIT's Nancy Kanwisher for tips on how to become a discerning consumer.

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Culture

Is A Picture Always Worth A Thousand Words?

by Alva Noë

October 4, 2014 • Pictures fascinate us in ways it is not easy to understand. But when crimes are made for pictures, it's time to refuse to look at them, says commentator Alva Noë.

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Culture

Can Psychedelics Expand Our Consciousness?

by Barbara J. King

October 2, 2014 • In his new book, Sam Harris wonders if his daughters will miss something if they don't try mushrooms or LSD as adults. Anthropologist Barbara J. King offers thoughts on this, drugs and enlightenment.

Cell phones and social media may be changing the way we live our lives.

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Culture

Should We Live Life, Or Capture It?

by Marcelo Gleiser

October 1, 2014 • Cellphones and social media may be changing the way we engage in — and experience — life. We need to be concerned if they have come to define how we live, says commentator Marcelo Gleiser.

Cosmic microwave background seen by Planck. ESA/Planck hide caption

itoggle caption ESA/Planck

Science

When Science Gets Ahead Of Itself

by Adam Frank

September 30, 2014 • Scientists have found that a March discovery, touted as one of the most important scientific discoveries ever, may not be one at all. Astrophysicist Adam Frank weighs in on the scientific process.

These little robots, called BlabDroids, ask people questions and video record their replies. The footage will be used to create a documentary. Courtesy of Alexander Reben hide caption

itoggle caption Courtesy of Alexander Reben