Wisdom
idea
Wisdom is a virtue, but how do we judge if someone has it?
Our team explored who is considered wise in cultures with contrasting philosophical traditions. The results surprised us
by Maksim Rudnev & Igor Grossmann
Stories and literature
idea
Your life is not a story: why narrative thinking holds you back
Our stories help us make sense of a chaotic world, but they can be harmful and restrictive. There’s a liberating alternative
by Karen Simecek
Mental health
guide
How to recover from burnout
Feeling worn down, checked out, or bitter about work? The answer is not to ‘just work harder’. Try these steps instead
by Debbie Sorensen
Sadness and sorrow
idea
Avoiding sadness can backfire, here’s how to turn towards it
Everyone has stretches of sadness. Shifting how you think about and relate to sad feelings could help you through these times
by Beth Kurland
Communication and language
idea
The tentacles of language are always on the move
An evolutionary biologist explains how human language can shift as slowly or rapidly as organisms adapting to life on Earth
by Klaus M Stiefel
Popular this month
Civic life
idea
Bureaucracy and other civic bullshit can be good for us
No one enjoys waiting in stuffy buildings or on congested roadways, but there’s an upside to our fellowship of frustration
by Joel Cox
Place
idea
‘Place authenticity’ is an important, overlooked part of life
From indie bookshops to artisan cafes, spending time in unique, characterful places can enrich your own sense of self
by Ashley Krause
Work and vocation
idea
Six ways to use clothes to boost your confidence at work
Regardless of your budget or fashion sense, dressing with more intention can benefit your mindset and performance
by Dahlia Stroud
Technology and media
idea
Why teenagers are deliberately seeking brain rot on TikTok
Talking to teens reveals a hidden sophistication to their media use. Rather than policing it, maybe we could learn from it
by Emilie Owens
Knowledge and reason
idea
Long COVID brain fog was my enemy. How did it become my friend?
The confusion of my illness helped me understand Buddhist theories of ignorance and its role in the relief of suffering
by Emily McRae
Altered states
film
A woman summons a stoic calm after accidentally trapping herself in a shower
A film by Tom Schroeder
History of emotions
idea
To ancient Assyrians, the liver was the seat of happiness
Cutting-edge computational techniques are shedding light on how the emotional experiences of past cultures compare to ours
by Juha Lahnakoski & Ellie Bennett
The self
idea
Why bad doodles can reveal more about you than good drawings
For Marion Milner, ‘not being able’ is a valuable state – one that allows for new and unexpected forms of learning
by David Russell
Human rights and justice
idea
Most protests fail. What are activists doing right when they win?
The science of protest reveals successful tactics and common weak points. Those who want change should take it onboard
by Lisa Mueller
Parenting and families
film
No kidding! Inside one childless comedian’s choice to get a vasectomy
A film by Jordan Temple
Sleep and dreams
idea
The brain’s twilight zone: when you’re neither awake nor asleep
Neuroscientists are demystifying this in-between state, uncovering its role in memory processing and its creative potential
by Célia Lacaux
Thinking and intelligence
idea
Expert tips on using gestures to think and talk more effectively
The gesticulations that accompany your speech are so much more than mere hand-waving – they contain and convey meaning
by Susan Goldin-Meadow