Science & Tech

Science & Tech

Explore the discoveries that reveal how the world works, alongside the technologies that extend, reshape, and sometimes challenge what’s possible.

Microscopic image of a small electronic component with clear details of its structure and connections against a gray background.
What would it take to create a truly intelligent microbot, one that can operate independently?
A striking view of a blue planet, similar to earth, seen from space with part of its surface illuminated by sunlight against a starry background.
Explore how the study of exoplanets is transforming our understanding of ocean formation.
A collage of various international banknotes featuring portraits of historical figures.
A physicist, a psychologist, and a philosopher walk into a bar and discuss a framework for thinking better in the 21st century.
distant quasar
The Universe is expanding, and the Hubble constant tells us how fast. But how can it be a constant if the expansion is accelerating?
A vibrant space image showing a star-forming region with clusters of bright stars and colorful nebulas in shades of red and green.
Here's what recent DESI measurements suggest — and why it's too early to update conventional predictions about the Universe's distant future.
pulse light quantum tunnel barrier
In all the Universe, only a few particles are eternally stable. The photon, the quantum of light, has an infinite lifetime. Or does it?
Illustration of a human head with a visible brain, featuring a black circular arrow symbol over the brain, on a yellow background.
6mins
With great genius comes great rigidity. Professor Barabara Oakley on how to stay mentally agile — and get smarter as a result:
space expanding
Yes, the Universe is expanding, but if you've ever wondered, "How fast is it expanding," the answer isn't in terms of a speed at all.
Food transport accounted for only 6% of emissions, but the production of dairy, meat, and eggs accounted for 83%
A digital artwork combining elements of a cityscape, printed circuit boards, and binary code, rendered in yellow and black tones.
"Stargate" could be used to train the world’s most powerful AIs.
Abstract background of glowing green binary digital code numbers signifying data or computing.
Making up false information is one of the biggest problems with AI, but there are no silver-bullet solutions.
A toothbrush with blue and white bristles, topped with a large dollop of minty toothpaste.
Claims circulating on the Internet — some from dentists' websites — suggest toothpaste isn't necessary for dental health. Is that true?
travel straight line
Is the Universe finite or infinite? Does it go on forever or loop back on itself? Here's what would happen if you traveled forever.
heavy neutral atom
No matter how good our measurement devices get, certain quantum properties always possess an inherent uncertainty. Can we figure out why?
Painting of Prometheus holding a flaming torch aloft.
"Hardcore History" host Dan Carlin recently spoke with Big Think about the history of humanity's drive to create — and whether or not we can control it.
Map of the united states indicating earthquake epicenters and areas where people reported feeling at least weak shaking, highlighting a magnitude 6.0 earthquake in central california on september 28, 2004, and a magnitude 5.8 earthquake in central virginia on august 23, 2011.
Across the subterranean United States, not all rocks were created equally.
Elderly man with a full white beard and glasses, wearing a brown jacket, against a white background.
11mins
“Forget about essences.” Philosopher Daniel Dennett on how modern-day philosophers should be more collaborative with scientists if they want to make revolutionary developments in their fields.
There are so many problems, all across planet Earth, that harm and threaten humanity. Why invest in researching the Universe?
Implanting machine components into human bodies, argues one scholar, could make for a better society.
Artwork of a giant spider attacking a city, with buildings in flames and text in japanese.
Aliens are often portrayed in popular culture as humanoid. But in reality, intelligent extraterrestrials might take far stranger forms.