The Best of Big Think
20+ most popular Big Think articles, as voted by our community.
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Bayesian search: A simple rule to find stuff you've lost
Bayesian search is based on a simple probability rule. It can help you find stuff you've lost, like your phone, wallet — or nuclear submarine.
«The point is that each time you acquire more information, the probability density function changes»
"Time inequality" is the world's real problem, not income inequality
Inequality should be measured in terms of the time it takes for us to earn the money to buy the things we need.
«For every 1% increase in population, personal resource abundance increased by 4% and global resource abundance increased by 8%.»
Earth's magnetic field supports biblical stories of destruction of ancient cities
When battles raged in ancient cities, their rocks blazed so brightly that they could be reoriented according to Earth's magnetic field.
We need boredom to live better lives. But social media is destroying it
When boredom creeps in, many of us turn to social media. But that may be preventing us from reaching a transformative level of boredom.
Why scientists can't give up the hunt for alien life
There will always be "wolf-criers" whose claims wither under scrutiny. But aliens are certainly out there, if science dares to find them.
Big Think on Consciousness
Neuroscience research triggers revision of a leading theory of consciousness
Data shows that unconsciously processed images are distributed to higher-order brain networks. A popular consciousness theory needs revision.
Big Think on Deep Work
We all can reach a "flow state." Here's how.
Journalist Steven Kotler offers tips for how to reach a psychological flow state, granting peak mental performance.
«Curiosity can lead you to become passionate about something, which can in turn drive that thing to give you purpose. The activity itself becomes fulfilling. It is the means and the end.»
Flow state: How to trigger the best performance of your life
‘Flow state’ is a peak performance mental state experienced by the world's highest achievers. Learn how it works in just 7 minutes.
«Flow actually feels 'flowy.' More specifically, it refers to any of those moments of rapt attention and total absorption.»
Big Think on Philosophy
To make great changes in your life, follow the philosophy of kaizen
When we set insurmountable and unrealistic goals, it's easy to get demoralized and just give up. Kaizen offers us another (better) way.
«There’s something wrong with each of us. Even if you tried to live a faultless, blameless, perfect life, there is always something left to criticize.»
The Swedish philosophy of lagom: how "just enough" is all you need
Just because a thing is good doesn't mean that you need more of it. "Lagom" teaches us to appreciate that "just enough" is all we need.
«A “fulfillment wheel” is a way to measure balance across different aspects of life. Lagom is to be well-rounded and to take pleasure in that»
Big Think on Physics
Not just light: Everything is a wave, including you
A concept known as "wave-particle duality" famously applies to light. But it also applies to all matter — including you.
Flamingos stand on just one leg, and physics is the surprising reason why
There’s an enormous evolutionary advantage for flamingos to stand on one leg, but genetics doesn't help. Only physics explains why.
Big Think on Quantum Entanglement
Brain experiment suggests that consciousness relies on quantum entanglement
New research indicates that consciousness may rely on quantum mechanics. Perhaps the brain does not operate in a "classical" way.
Does consciousness change the rules of quantum mechanics?
Maybe our understanding of quantum entanglement is incomplete, or maybe there is something fundamentally unique about consciousness.
Big Think on Quantum Physics
The fundamental problem with gravity and quantum physics
We have two descriptions of the Universe that work perfectly well: general relativity and quantum physics. Too bad they don't work together.
Our language is inadequate to describe quantum reality
The quantum world defies our ability to describe it in words. Human experience does not prepare us for its weirdness and uncertainty.
Big Think on Science
Ask Ethan: How do fundamental particles create consciousness?
At a fundamental level, only a few particles and forces govern all of reality. How do their combinations create human consciousness?
The 4 fundamental meanings of "nothing" in science
All the things that surround and compose us didn't always exist. But describing their origin depends on what 'nothing' means.
Big Think on Space
17 pictures that show how mind-bogglingly large the Universe is
The observable Universe is 92 billion light-years in diameter. These pictures put just how large that is in perspective.
What's the real reason you can't go faster than the speed of light?
The real reason that we cannot travel faster than light speed is far more interesting than the textbook answer.
«On the bright side, now that you know about spacetime, the next time your boss gets on your case for just sitting there, you can tell them that they are being unreasonable. You’re moving as fast as possible.»
Big Think on Success
The 5-hour rule: How to turn a wasted day into a successful one
From Benjamin Franklin to Elon Musk, the most successful people in the world share one thing: they allocate time in the day to learning.
«5-hour rule.” In short, this is the rule where we spend one hour a day learning, reflecting, and thinking. The rule dates to Benjamin Franklin»
5 ways to set yourself up for success
Any success formula must start with your values and life goals. Here are five ways to find those and set yourself up for success.
«Success isn’t a condition without failure; it’s the condition of overcoming failure and improving.»
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An ancient technique can improve your attention span
Modern conditions have overwhelmed our brain's attention system, but research shows 12 minutes of mindfulness training a day can help.
«Similarly, a negative mood can signal that something is wrong. That unease can propel you to solve the problem and lift the emotional pall.»
3 rules to express your thoughts so that everyone will understand you
It can be challenging to express your thoughts clearly. Alan Alda recommends three rules of three for effective and empathic communication.
«Maybe this sounds familiar: You’re expressing a difficult idea, thought, or feeling, and at the moment, it seems to be going well. Your audience is nodding at the appropriate beats. Your cadence has an uncharacteristic flow and eloquence. You even snuck in the world profligate and are 90% sure you used it properly. (Well, 80% sure. Definitely going to look it up later.)»
This 715-song playlist is scientifically verified to give you the chills, thanks to "frisson"
Listening to some songs can cause a powerful physiological response known as "frisson." What is it, and why does it happen?
«While it is understood that appreciation of beauty is central to what makes us human, it is not clear to researchers what»
Theory of mind: What chess and drug dealers can teach you about manipulation
From grandmasters to drug dealers, people who make deft use of "theory of mind" can remain several steps ahead of their rivals.
«Every social interaction is a game of chess, trying to get inside someone’s head to navigate what they are thinking or what they will do.»
Habits change your life. Here’s how to change your habits.
Here's what research says are the most effective ways to get rid of bad habits and replace them with healthy ones.
«Habits form when you receive a reward for a behavior. And like Pavlov’s dogs, you might not even realize that you’re learning something new.»
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