Latest Articles

Latest Articles

The newest essays, interviews, and features from Big Think.

Higgs boson
On July 4, we celebrate the tenth anniversary of the discovery of the Higgs boson, the missing piece of the Standard Model of particle physics.
Two hands reaching towards each other against a bright blue sky with clouds, subtly exploring why empathy is bad when it leads to emotional overwhelm.
4mins
Not an empathetic person? Here’s why that might be a good thing.
John Templeton Foundation
oldest trees
1859's Carrington event gave us a preview of how catastrophic the Sun could be for humanity. But it could get even worse than we imagined.
success
Success can be measured in different ways. When it hinges entirely on our careers, we fall victim to a devastating addiction.
Yahweh
In the Canaan religion, Yahweh was a lesser god, who was assigned the land of Israel. Here's how he became "God Almighty."
arguing
Arguments are a normal and often healthy part of a relationship. It all depends on picking the right kind of arguments, though.
Does memory start to work only at a certain age?
The idea of gravitational redshift crossed Einstein's mind years before General Relativity was complete. Here's why it had to be there.
Since at least 600 BC, people have been mesmerized by the concept of the infinite.
People often ask "What should I do?" when faced with an ethical problem. Aristotle urges us to ask "What kind of person should I be?"
Research sheds light on social behavior of these mysterious predators.
The English writer left behind a mind-expanding collection of books.
Illustration of a human brain with a metallic on/off switch embedded in its side, set against a solid dark purple background.
8mins
Having trouble learning? A PhD engineering professor gives you one key tip.
John Templeton Foundation
inflationary beginning big bang
No matter how beautiful, elegant, or compelling your idea is, if it disagrees with observation and experiment, it's wrong.
nuclear spacecraft
Experts believe they could cut the time it takes a rocket to reach Mars by up to 25%, shaving about two months off the trip.
neutrinos
Experiments cannot confirm what theory predicts about neutrinos. And particle physicists have no idea why.
hydrogen fuel
A "bio-battery" made from genetically engineered bacteria could store excess renewable energy and release it as needed.
Here's what the weather phenomenon baking large parts of the country actually means.