Science Archives

Think Like a Rocket Scientist: Test as You Fly

What does the book Think Like a Rocket Scientist mean by “test as you fly”? How might you use this principle in your life? In Think Like a Rocket Scientist, Ozan Varol explains how rocket scientists test equipment in space-like conditions. Similarly, successful people test ideas and products. Varol shares three criteria for successful tests and two suggestions for testing your ideas rigorously. Keep reading to learn how to think like a rocket scientist and apply the test-as-you-fly principle to your own life, career, or business.

How to Overcome Bias When It Gets in Your Way

Is bias holding you back from achieving your goals? How can you overcome bias? Everyone has biases of one kind or another. Those who strive to achieve great things have to find a way to overcome bias so that it doesn’t get in the way of clear thinking and action. Author and former rocket scientist Ozan Varol suggests two ways you can get these blind spots out of your way. Read more to learn how to overcome bias.

To Make Big Leaps, Get Comfortable With Uncertainty

How comfortable with uncertainty are you? Is a fear of uncertainty holding you back? Uncertainty plays a crucial role in science because things often don’t conform to scientists’ expectations. When things don’t go according to plan, scientists learn something new. They are comfortable with uncertainty, because they know it can lead to amazing discoveries. Read more to learn how comfort with uncertainty can lead to big things in your own life.

How SpaceX Used Reasoning From First Principles

What is reasoning from first principles? How can you use this kind of thinking to achieve the impossible? Elon Musk used reasoning from first principles to find a new way to get to space. First-principles thinking is a way to abandon the status quo and question everything until you get to the core of the matter. You, too, can use this type of thinking to reach huge goals. Continue reading to learn how to use reasoning from first principles.

The 6 Hats Theory: Adapt Your Thinking to the Situation

What is Edward de Bono’s 6 hats theory? What are the six types of thinking represented by the six hats? Psychologist Edward de Bono published Six Thinking Hats in 1985, but his concepts still hold up today. He uses his 6 hats theory to represent the six different types of thinking: metacognitive, data-focused, emotional, critical, constructive, and creative. Keep reading to learn about de Bono’s 6 hats thinking theory.

Confidence Development: Is It Nature or Nurture?

How does confidence develop? Is confidence primarily a matter of nature or nurture? Confidence isn’t a matter of nature versus nurture—both our biology and our environment affect us and neither will win out. While up to 50% of confidence might be determined by our genes, that doesn’t mean that any of us are doomed to be under-confident. In this article, we’ll take a look at the role of genetics and environment in confidence development.

Why People Believe in Fake News: What Science Says

Can science explain why people believe in fake news? Are we wired to believe false information? False information is all around us. Not only is it being produced, but it’s also being spread by people who believe it’s true. Science provides some interesting answers to why people believe in fake news. Basically, we’re simply wired to believe. Keep reading to learn why people believe in fake news.

Group Guidelines: Following the CUDOS Rules

How should a group function? Are there clear group guidelines that shape constructive behavior? Sociologist R.K. Merton created four rules of engagement for how he thought the scientific community should operate. Thinking in Bets author Annie Duke believes that these group guidelines also work well for a group of people whom you call on to help you make better decisions. Continue reading to learn about R.K. Merton’s recommended group guidelines.

The Confidence Gap: Why Men Have More Self-Esteem

Why do women tend to be less confident than men? Can the confidence gap between genders be explained by genetic differences between males and females? While there are no genetic differences between men and women—the confidence-related gene variants are evenly distributed between genders—the sexes do have physiological differences in their brains, think in different ways, and have different amounts of relevant hormones. Some of these differences may explain the confidence gap between men and women. Here is what neuroscience has to say about the confidence gap between men and women.

Is Confidence Genetic?—Yes, to an Extent

Is confidence genetic? And if so, how much do genes contribute to one’s sense of self-confidence? It’s scientifically accepted that the big five personality traits—agreeableness, neuroticism, conscientiousness, extroversion, and openness are responsible for around 50% of our personalities. Confidence and optimism are related to these traits, and scientists estimate that 25-50% of our confidence comes from our genes. Here is what science has to say about the role of genetics in confidence.