Spontaneous, deep talk on surprise topics. On this week's episode of Think Again – a Big Think podcast, Nigerian-born novelist, essayist, and NYTimes photography critic Teju Cole and host Jason Gots discuss first drafts, the complexities of home, and the greatest innovation in human history. 

If you thought Usain Bolt’s 9.58s world record time in the 100 meters was ever in jeopardy, this shows how unlikely that was. “A lot of legends, a lot of people, […]

Scientists are concerned that the results of studies using mice may be affected by gut bacteria.

The confidence we crave in our leaders compromises their ability to help us avoid risk.

Future clothing will make you look dazzling with amazing special effects.   

Take a deep breath, you're in for a ride. Here is Penn Jillette on Libertarianism, taxes, Trump, Clinton, Sanders, Gary Johnson, sex, drugs and Kurt Cobain.

Once the emergency is over, maybe it's time we drew a different map of Louisiana – however shocking it may be.

If you gazed up at the Perseids, you’ll want to appreciate the fact that we’re still here. “Honestly, if you’re given the choice between Armageddon or tea, you don’t say ‘what […]

Former FBI negotiator Chris Voss sheds light on communication and indirect messages, the value of empathy in business and in life, and when and how to walk away from a deal.

The placebo effect is real. Why don't many people agree?

A lot of us are banking on heaven for ourselves and hell for certain others, but spiritual teacher Rob Bell urges us to think about those concepts as states of consciousness, and rethink the nature of the afterlife.

Professor Patrick McGovern, a world authority on ancient alcoholic beverages, describes how alcohol had a profound effect on early societies.

If perfected, Gene therapy promises to heal in one shot, without complications or side effects.   

Radioactive crystals left behind by ancient bacteria tell us about a long-ago supernova nearby.

Could the Universe loop around on itself, and might you come back out the other side? “For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned […]

University of California, Irvine physicists may have discovered a new fundamental force of nature. 

Billionaires: what have they done for us lately? Well, some of them have developed the tech you're reading this on (scoring good points), but others have gamed the system and nepotismed their way to the bank (bad, bad billionaires).

A Washington think tank raises concerns that U.S. nuclear weapons stored at a military base in Turkey can fall into the wrong hands.

The director of the National Museum of Natural History offers an under-three-minute joyride through the history of life on earth.

The 750 GeV particle that the LHC thought it saw? A sham. And we all should have known. “The first principle is that you must not fool yourself, and you are […]