Science Archives

Why Modern Academia Fails to Practice Good Science

What does good science look like? What are the implications of scientific research being done in institutions that aren’t even involved in its implementation? In his book Skin in the Game, Nassim Taleb argues that modern academics fail to practice good science because they lack what he calls “skin in the game”—they are isolated from the real world in which their ideas are implemented. Taleb argues that areas of science and academia that lack skin in the game yield faulty, harmful ideas and theories that would cause major damage if implemented at a large scale. In this article, we’ll take

What Is Lateral Thinking? An Underrated Skill

What is lateral thinking? Can you really come up with great ideas based on old knowledge or technology? In his book Range, David Epstein discusses the importance of lateral thinking in innovation. He says that contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to think outside the box and come up with brand new ideas to be innovative—sometimes it just takes looking at an existing product and improving upon it. Keep reading for examples of lateral thinking from David Epstein.

How to Rewire Your Negative Thinking Patterns

Do you often catch yourself ruminating about the bad experiences from your past? Why do people tend to focus more on the negative and take the positive for granted? People don’t choose to develop negative thinking patterns—they’ve simply developed the habit of dwelling more on the bad experiences in their lives. Psychologists refer to this tendency as negativity bias. Research shows that you’re hardwired to notice and dwell more on negative events than on positive ones. In this article, you’ll learn how negative thought patterns develop, and how you can rewire your mind for positivity.

Why We Sleep: Quotes by Dr. Matthew Walker

Are you looking for Why We Sleep quotes by Matthew Walker? Do you want to better understand the science behind sleep? In his book Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker, Ph.D., he discusses how sleep happens, its major benefits, and the best ways to get better sleep. This is important research because sleep can affect everything from productivity at work to whether or not you develop diabetes or cancer. Here are the top Why We Sleep quotes by Walker with explanations.

Natural Circadian Rhythm and Adenosine: Explained

What role does the circadian rhythm play in sleep? How does the circadian rhythm work with adenosine to regulate the sleep cycle? The sleep cycle is made up of the circadian rhythm and a chemical called adenosine. The circadian rhythm keeps you up during the day, and adenosine puts you to sleep at night. Learn how these two mechanisms work below.

The Science Behind Dreams: The Sleeping Brain

What exactly are dreams? What is the science behind dreams? How can scientists research them? In his book Why We Sleep, Matthew Walker discusses dreams from a scientific point of view. He goes over older theories related to dreaming and explains what happens during the REM cycle. Here is what Walker has to say on the science behind dreams.

The 5 Common Biases Discussed in Nudge

What are the most common biases? How do those biases affect your ability to make snap decisions? In the book Nudge, the authors discuss the most common biases which are the anchoring bias, the availability bias, the representativeness bias, the status quo bias, and the loss aversion bias. These biases, whether intentionally or not, can skew your judgments. Continue below to learn about each of the most common biases from Nudge.

How Much Sleep Do Kids Need? Psychologist Explains

Do kids and teens need more or less sleep than adults? How much sleep do kids need for optimum cognitive development? In his book Why We Sleep, Matthew Walker discusses the different amounts of sleep the body requires at different stages in life. As it turns out, there can be serious developmental implications if a child doesn’t get enough sleep at night. Here is what Matthew Walker had to say about sleep in children and teens.

Why We Sleep: Review, Context, and Critique

Is Matthew Walker’s Why We Sleep worth reading? What were the biggest complaints after the book’s publication? Why We Sleep explores every aspect of sleep, including the physical and mental benefits, how sleep works, factors that affect sleep, sleep and development, and more. However, the book was highly criticized after its release due to its research methods and interpretations. Below is a review of Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker.

Are Humans a Monogamous Species?

Are humans monogamous by nature? What does body-size dimorphism tell us about human sexuality? In their book Sex at Dawn, authors Ryan and Jethá say that the small body size difference between men and women means that humans are meant to be polygamous. However, there are other interpretations of this data. Keep reading to learn what body-size dimorphism between males and females tell us about human sexuality.