by Adam Frank
Religion is often organized in terms of a god, or gods. It's a system of beliefs embodied in a being or beings. But that's not always the case. It can mean more, a lot more, says Adam Frank after finding inspiration in the writing of Ronald Dworkin.
by Tania Lombrozo
It's the end of the academic year and students everywhere are taking tests. What for? Commentator Tania Lombrozo suggests we should shift our focus from testing for assessment to testing for learning.
by Alva Noë
Songs, like all art, can take on a life of their own once they are thrust into the public domain. Their meanings can shift substantially, something commentator Alva Noë experienced recently during a school music recital.
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by Barbara J. King
Robot-assisted surgeries have changed the medical landscape for patients with certain diagnoses, including some types of cancer. Commentator Barbara J. King looks forward to meeting her robot surgeon next week and getting the job done.
by Marcelo Gleiser
Improvements in science education can take many forms. Commentator Marcelo Gleiser says that one of the easiest and most rewarding is to simply put real research scientists in front of students. A few volunteer hours from a scientist can change how a student sees the world forever.
by Adam Frank
Dark detective tales never get old. It's the same old story every time, even when events take place off world and the people are nothing more than machines. It's a form we love to relive and revive with every generation, says commentator Adam Frank.
by Tania Lombrozo
Eugenie C. Scott, executive director of the National Center for Science Education (NCSE), explains in a video how she sees parallels between the rejection of evolution and of the rejection of climate science.
by Tania Lombrozo
For those lucky enough to have a mother to thank, consider putting pen to paper for a heartfelt letter of gratitude and appreciation. Your mom will surely love it, and the science says it's good for you.
by Alva Noë
The work of the Dutch master Johannes Vermeer has long puzzled the art world. Some of his pieces just don't quite fit. They're a little off. What gives? Author Benjamin Binstock has an idea, an idea that commentator Alva Noë finds appealing.
by Barbara J. King
Does the breathless excitement seen in media coverage of Amanda Knox amount to sexism? Commentator Barbara J. King argues 'yes' and says its part of an age-old pattern in human culture.
by Marcelo Gleiser
Physicist Marcelo Gleiser recalls his early interest in competing interpretations of the quantum world. Now a successful researcher in his own right, he wonders if it's time to switch gears and turn his casual interest into a professional pursuit.
by Adam Frank
There was a time when superheroes confined themselves to the pages of comic books piled up in a kids room. Now they're on the big screen and in the mainstream of pop culture. Commentator Adam Frank says there are winners and losers in this transformation.
by Tania Lombrozo
A new site called The People's Science aims to bring researchers and the general public together to talk about the work they're doing. Tania Lombrozo takes a look and tries it out for herself.
by Alva Noë
Faculty at San Jose State University are rebelling against pressure from their own administration to integrate MOOCs — massively open online courses — into their teaching. Across the country the issue is being debated on campuses and in state houses. Commentator Alva Noë's dips his toe into the conversation.
by Barbara J. King
Like many parents around the world, some moms and dads in Brooklyn are choosing to raise their children without using any diapers. How does this work and does it make any sense? Commentator Barbara J. King checks in with anthropologist Meredith Small, who embraces the idea with enthusiasm.
