Surprising Science — May 26, 2011

The Brewmaster’s Cure

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Brooklyn Brewery Brewmaster Garrett Oliver suggests this hangover cure: a greasy bacon, egg and cheese sandwich, strong coffee and a lot of water. “Then think strongly upon your sins.”

The most surprising and impactful new stories delivered to your inbox every week, for free.

Collage featuring scientific diagrams, two black-and-white portraits of men, wheat plants, and "Solutionism" text in the center.

Thinking

Blind optimism is not a cure for blind pessimism

We need to fully acknowledge problems, while vigorously pursuing solutions. Call it “solutionism.”

The letters "AI" appear with a glitch effect in multicolored pixels against a black background.

The Present

AI skeptic Gary Marcus on AI’s moral and technical shortcomings

The cognitive scientist argues the current AI environment is failing us as consumers and a society. But it’s not too late to change course.

A group of five people stands in front of a brown van, channeling their inner Richard Feynman. The background features a wall adorned with lush plants, setting the perfect scene for these everyday heroes.

Starts With A Bang

Ask Ethan: Why isn’t Richard Feynman your personal hero?

One of the 20th century’s most famous, influential, and successful physicists is lauded the world over. But Feynman is no hero to me.

A man, engaged in the act of reading, is seated at a table with a newspaper in front of him.

Business

Why leaders should act as “editor in chief” of their organizations

To solve “addition bias” don’t punish people who subtract — call in the “friction fixers” instead.

The head of a man and a woman are shown side by side in a research study focused on ketamine and depression.

Neuropsych

A vaccine for depression

Ketamine’s remarkable effect bolsters a new theory of mental illness.

Up Next

Guest Thinkers

That about wraps it up for the Grímsvötn eruption

Alright, so the title of the post is a little cheeky, but right now it appears that the eruption of Grímsvötn that started last Saturday (May 21) is for all intents […]