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A culture of hyper-reality made paranoid delusions true
Schizophrenics used to see demons and spirits. Now they talk about actors and hidden cameras – and make a lot of sense
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What the idea of civilisational ‘collapse’ says about history
The idea that the Maya or Easter Islanders experienced an apocalyptic end makes for good television but bad archaeology.
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Mad, or bad?
Even in the decade of dissent, Thomas Szasz stood alone when he attacked the idea of madness from the political right
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Blaming individuals for obesity may be altogether wrong
As the American people got fatter, so did marmosets, vervet monkeys and mice. The problem may be bigger than any of us.
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What if jobs are not the solution but the problem?
Economists believe in full employment. Americans think that work builds character. But what if jobs aren’t working anymore?
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The Black Death
At least one in three Europeans and untold millions in Asia died. What was the source of this brutal, lethal efficiency?
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Why the Western philosophical canon is xenophobic and racist
Academic philosophy in ‘the West’ ignores and disdains the thought traditions of China, India and Africa. This must change.
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A former inmate returns to teach meditation
In the harsh environment of a Rhode Island men’s prison, fifty inmates are transforming their lives through the practice of mindfulness meditation.
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Why pregnancy is a biological war between mother and baby
A ferocious biological struggle between mother and baby belies any sentimental ideas we might have about pregnancy
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The myth of ‘mad’ genius
The Romantic stereotype that creativity is enhanced by a mood disorder is dangerous, and dissolves under careful scrutiny
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The selfish gene is a great meme. Too bad it’s so wrong
For decades, the selfish gene metaphor let us view evolution with new clarity. Is it now blinding us?
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How did usury stop being a sin and become respectable finance?
Moneylending has been taboo for most of human history. So how did usury stop being a sin and become respectable finance?
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Your brain does not process information and it is not a computer
Your brain does not process information, retrieve knowledge or store memories. In short: your brain is not a computer
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Going nowhere fast
After the success of the Standard Model, experiments have stopped answering to grand theories. Is particle physics in crisis?
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The evidence is in: there is no language instinct
For decades, the idea of a language instinct has dominated linguistics. It is simple, powerful and completely wrong.
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Why is linguistics such a magnet for dilettantes and crackpots?
The study of languages has long been prone to nonsense. Why is linguistics such a magnet for dilettantes and crackpots?
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Not your Tibetan Buddhism
Behind the beatific image of Tibetan Buddhism lies a dark, complicated reality. But is it one the Western gaze wants to see?
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Innovation is overvalued Maintenance often matters more
Capitalism excels at innovation but is failing at maintenance, and for most lives it is maintenance that matters more.