Observations of the cosmic microwave background might deal blow to theory.

Written in the skies: why quantum mechanics might be wrong

The evolutionary psychologist and the documentary filmmaker discuss game theory, Stanley Milgram, and whether science can make us better people.

Seed: Marc Hauser + Errol Morris

Money doesn’t buy happiness, but success does. Capitalism, moored in values of hard work, honesty, and fairness, is key.

Can Money Buy Happiness?

Paul Graham:

Adults lie constantly to kids. I'm not saying we should stop, but I think we should at least examine which lies we tell and why.

Lies We Tell Kids

Steven Pinker:

Many people are vaguely disquieted by developments (real or imagined) that could alter minds and bodies in novel ways. Romantics and Greens tend to idealize the natural and demonize technology. Traditionalists and conservatives by temperament distrust radical change. Egalitarians worry about an arms race in enhancement techniques. And anyone is likely to have a "yuck" response when contemplating unprecedented manipulations of our biology. The President's Council has become a forum for the airing of this disquiet, and the concept of "dignity" a rubric for expounding on it. This collection of essays is the culmination of a long effort by the Council to place dignity at the center of bioethics. The general feeling is that, even if a new technology would improve life and health and decrease suffering and waste, it might have to be rejected, or even outlawed, if it affronted human dignity.

Whatever that is.

The Stupidity of Dignity

In James Howard Kunstler's view, public spaces should be inspired centers of civic life and the physical manifestation of the common good. Instead, he argues, what we have in America is a nation of places not worth caring about.

The tragedy of suburbia

The purpose of this article is to apply a theory of operational and tactical information operations (IO) employment as limited and non-lethal effects during counterinsurgency operations. It focuses on four integrating elements of IO: psychological operations, civil-military operations, public affairs and computer network operations. The author simulates a practical case of IO and develops a concept of operation. The approach presented is from a Spanish army perspective. He finds that the knowledge and managing of IO is of significance and will become essential to understand and face the scenes of future conflicts and new wars.

Information Operations during Counterinsurgency Operations

In the economy of the 21st century, economic and technical innovation is increasingly based on developments that don't rely on economic incentive or public provision. Unlike 20th century innovation, the most important developments in innovation have been driven not by research funded by governments or developed by corporations but by the collaborative interactions of individuals. In most cases, this modality of innovation has not been motivated by economic concerns or the prospect of profit. This raises the possibility of a world in which some of the sectors of the economy particularly the ones dealing with innovation and creativity are driven by social interactions of various kinds, rather than by profit-oriented investment. This Article examines the development of this amateur modality of creative production, and explains how it came to exist. It then deals with why this modality is different from and potentially inconsistent with the typical modalities of production that are at the heart of modern views of innovation policy. It provides a number of policy prescriptions that should be used by governments to recognize the significance of amateur innovation, and to further the development of amateur productivity.

Money Ruins Everything

SIMPLY PUT, America’s image in much of the Muslim world remains abysmal. Iraq, the war on terrorism, American support for Israel and other key features of U.S. foreign policy continue to generate animosity in the Middle East, Asia and elsewhere. In many nations considered central to the war on terror, the general public deeply distrusts the United States. Even in countries like Kuwait that have long been considered relatively pro-American, the U.S. image has declined.

On the bright side, America seems to be winning the battle of ideas on some important fronts.

All the World’s a Stage

A route used by tumor cells to spread could be exploited to make stem cells for regenerative medicine and cancer therapies

Adult Cells Steal Trick from Cancer to Become Stem Cell-Like