This Elegant Math Problem Helps You Find the Best Choice for Hiring, House-Hunting and Even Love
Math’s “best-choice problem” could help humans become better decision-makers, at everything from choosing the best job candidate to finding a romantic partner
Here’s What the ‘Manosphere’ Gets Wrong about Cuckoldry
In online forums the term “cuck” has become synonymous with “sucker” and “loser.” But this use distorts its history and meaning, creating a baseless moral panic that harms both women and science
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How Your Brain Tells Speech and Music Apart
Simple cues help people to distinguish song from the spoken word
The Next President Should End the ‘Senate’ Launch System Rocket
Rather than building an obsolescent, obscenely-over-budget jumbo rocket, NASA should turn to building truly innovative space technologies and plan a realistic lunar landing program
Sitting in a Chair All Day Can Lead to Disease. Standing Up and Moving Around Every Hour Can Help
Days spent in a desk chair can lead to heart disease or cancer. Getting up often and exercising more vigorously can stave off the ill effects
The Arctic Seed Vault Shows the Flawed Logic of Climate Adaptation
The difficulties of the Svalbard seed repository illustrate why we need to prevent climate disaster rather than plan for it
How to Understand Your Child’s Screenings for Autism and Other Conditions
The predictive value of childhood screenings for autism and other conditions depends on how common the condition is, a limit that parents need to understand
Vote for Kamala Harris to Support Science, Health and the Environment
Kamala Harris has plans to improve health, boost the economy and mitigate climate change. Donald Trump has threats and a dangerous record
Was Life on Earth Inevitable or Incredible?
We can’t yet tell how life got its start on Earth. That’s one great reason to keep looking for life elsewhere
Elon Musk Owes His Success to Coming in Second (and Government Handouts)
The world’s richest man, Elon Musk, owes his superstar success to self-satisfied competitors who blew obvious opportunities
Why This Great Mathematician Wanted a Heptadecagon on His Tombstone
Mathematician Gauss left behind a trophy case of mathematical achievements to highlight on his tombstone, but above all he wanted a regular heptadecagon etched on it
‘Forever’ Pesticides Threaten Worse Environmental Harms Than DDT
A looming and poorly regulated PFAS threat comes from these chemicals’ common use in pesticides on farms nationwide