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13.7: Cosmos And Culture 13.7: Cosmos And Culture

13.7 Cosmos & Culture

Commentary On Science And Society

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The True, The Real And The Beautiful: 7 Years Of 'Cosmos And Culture'

Astronauts aboard the International Space Station took this image of southern Scandinavia, showing the northern lights aurora, just before midnight under a full moon on April 3, 2015. NASA hide caption

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Opinion

Science

The True, The Real And The Beautiful: 7 Years Of 'Cosmos And Culture'

April 13, 2018 • Through science commentary, we created a place for exploration of deep, complex issues. There's a hunger in all of us for more than just facts — we hunger for meaning, says astrophysicist Adam Frank.

A Thank You To NPR's Science Commentary Readers

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Opinion

Science

A Thank You To NPR's Science Commentary Readers

by Barbara J. King

April 12, 2018 • For 6 1/2 years, Barbara J. King has written commentaries for NPR on everything from animals and anthropology to gender and higher education. Here, she offers up some of her favorite pieces.

From The Big Bang To This Commentary

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Opinion

Culture

From The Big Bang To This Commentary

by Marcelo Gleiser

April 11, 2018 • In 13.7, we aimed to present the passion, the drama, the social and intellectual relevance of science as one of the deepest expressions of engagement with the unknown, says physicist Marcelo Gleiser.

Giving Notice: Reflections On Capturing The Light

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Opinion

Science

Giving Notice: Reflections On Capturing The Light

by Tania Lombrozo

April 9, 2018 • For years, 13.7 has brought opinions on science and culture to NPR's online readers. Commentator Tania Lombrozo reflects on her time writing for the blog, and on the science and culture of writing.

What Do Hamburgers Have To Do With Gender?

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Opinion

Culture

What Do Hamburgers Have To Do With Gender?

by Barbara J. King

April 5, 2018 • Meat and veggie burgers evolved together in the 20th century, but when it comes to associations with gender, their histories diverge. Anthropologist Barbara J. King explores a new book on the topic.

Suffering From Nature Deficit Disorder? Try Forest Bathing

Andrew Clark/Getty Images/EyeEm

Review

Science

Suffering From Nature Deficit Disorder? Try Forest Bathing

by Marcelo Gleiser

April 4, 2018 • Positive scientific results aside, the idea of shinrin-yoku shouldn't be surprising: Who hasn't felt an inner sense of well-being when walking along a forest trail? asks commentator Marcelo Gleiser.

Time Travel With Your Fridge?

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Opinion

Science

Time Travel With Your Fridge?

by Jimena Canales

April 3, 2018 • If the history of thermodynamics can teach us anything, it is that modest entropy reversals have not taken us back in time at all. But it is more fun to think otherwise, says guest Jimena Canales.

Is Humanity Unusual In The Cosmos?

Artist's rendering of the first planet outside of our solar system to be imaged orbiting a brown dwarf star, called the 2M1207 system. ESO hide caption

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ESO

Opinion

Science

Is Humanity Unusual In The Cosmos?

April 2, 2018 • Commentator Adam Frank talks with Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb about exo-civilizations, techno-signatures, and the search for alien life — living or long-gone.

Teaching And Learning At The Boundaries Of 2 Cultures

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Opinion

Philosophy

Teaching And Learning At The Boundaries Of 2 Cultures

by Marcelo Gleiser

March 28, 2018 • We all stand to lose from the gulf between the sciences and the humanities, and the classroom is the ideal place for conversations between these two cultures to unfold, says professor Marcelo Gleiser.

The Psychology Of Fake News

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Opinion

Culture

The Psychology Of Fake News

by Tania Lombrozo

March 27, 2018 • How can we succeed in creating and perpetuating a culture that values and promotes truth? Cognitive scientist Tania Lombrozo considers the science of fake news — and how to protect ourselves.

Why Not Talk About Death?

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Opinion

Culture

Why Not Talk About Death?

March 26, 2018 • Many people just don't want to talk about what it means to live in the face of death. Astrophysicist Adam Frank reflects on life and death — and invites others to do the same.

Wrinkling Time To Heal A Family

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Review

Culture

Wrinkling Time To Heal A Family

by Marcelo Gleiser

March 21, 2018 • Showing science's enchanting side has the almost magical effect of opening new portals to what is possible, says astrophysicist Marcelo Gleiser.

The Puzzle Of Quantum Reality

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Science

The Puzzle Of Quantum Reality

by Adam Becker

March 20, 2018 • Despite the incredibly accurate predictions of quantum theory, there's a lot of disagreement over what it says about reality — or even whether it says anything at all about it, says guest Adam Becker.

Why Are Iguanas' Skulls Being Crushed In The Name Of Science?

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Opinion

Culture

Why Are Iguanas' Skulls Being Crushed In The Name Of Science?

by Barbara J. King

March 20, 2018 • A scientific project for killing invasive green iguanas in Florida has become the center of national attention. Anthropologist Barbara J. King looks at wildlife management and methods.

Is It Time To Bring Risk Back Into Our Kids' Playgrounds?

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Opinion

Culture

Is It Time To Bring Risk Back Into Our Kids' Playgrounds?

by Barbara J. King

March 15, 2018 • Are playgrounds in the U.S. too sterile and risk-averse to help our kids thrive? Anthropologist Barbara J. King considers play and child development in evolutionary perspective.

The Universe According To Albert Einstein: Relativity

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Science

The Universe According To Albert Einstein: Relativity

by Marcelo Gleiser

March 14, 2018 • When Einstein, born 139 years ago on Wednesday, came onto the science scene, physics was in crisis. New ideas were badly needed — it was the perfect moment for a trailblazer, says Marcelo Gleiser.

An Ode To Insignificance: Buttons, Touchscreens, And Other Dangerous Technologies

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Opinion

Culture

An Ode To Insignificance: Buttons, Touchscreens, And Other Dangerous Technologies

by Jimena Canales

March 13, 2018 • The most successful technologies are so seductive, user-friendly, and so apparently innocuous that we hardly notice them entering our lives, says Jimena Canales. One such technology? The pushbutton.

No Man Is An Island: The Wisdom Of Deliberating Crowds

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Science

No Man Is An Island: The Wisdom Of Deliberating Crowds

by Tania Lombrozo

March 12, 2018 • What can a competition to estimate the weight of an ox tell us about democratic decision-making? Cognitive scientist Tania Lombrozo considers two studies, conducted 100 years apart.

Getting Climate Change Right: In Light Of The Stars

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Opinion

Philosophy

Getting Climate Change Right: In Light Of The Stars

March 9, 2018 • When it comes to facing global warming, dealing with climate change and making informed choices for our cherished "project of civilization," we've been asking the wrong question, says Adam Frank.

Calling Team Cephalopod: Why Octopuses Could Never Disappoint

One writer refuses to downplay the attraction and achievements of the octopus. Fred Tanneau/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Fred Tanneau/AFP/Getty Images

Opinion

Culture

Calling Team Cephalopod: Why Octopuses Could Never Disappoint

by Barbara J. King

March 8, 2018 • Evidence for smart, sassy octopus behavior once again impresses our resident cephalopod fan Barbara J. King, who is standing up for octopuses against a recent broadside.

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