Michio Kaku describes how our prefrontal cortex disengages as we dream, thus suppressing the fact-checking component of our consciousness.

Investigative journalist Eric Schlosser describes the terrifyingly close calls we’ve had with nuclear weapons, and the odds that a disaster would result in global catastrophe.

Theoretical physicist Alan Lightman suggests that our universe is one of many possible variations, leaving physicists at a cosmological dead end. Lightman’s latest book is The Accidental Universe: The World […]

Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, the fifth President of Iceland, explains the perilous environmental situation in the Arctic in light of climate change.

Sheryl WuDunn explains the complex worlds of charitable giving, volunteering, and altruism. WuDunn is the co-author of “A Path Appears: Transforming Lives, Creating Opportunities.”

Esther Perel discusses the very important distinction between sex and eroticism, the latter being exclusive to humans. Perel is recognized as one of the world’s most original and insightful voices […]

Diamond Dallas Page explains how he hesitantly turned to yoga to overcome his wrestling injuries. Page went on to found DDP Yoga, a program that borrows heavily from yogic traditions while featuring his own innovations.

In this 5-part Big Think Mentor workshop Mihnea Moldoveanu teaches us how to systematically analyze the epistemic structure of networks by using a diagramming tool called the epinet. In this […]

Sam Harris says that stress-reductive benefits of meditation are rather trivial compared to the insights one can discover about the nature of the self.

The stress-reductive benefits of meditation are trivial compared to the insights one can discover about the nature of the self.

Sometimes to be able to make a good decision about digital marketing, it helps to see where other companies err.

How can companies cope with digital disruption?

Brad Templeton discusses the vast computational power that a quantum computer could have, provided that someone were to build one.

Hal Luftig is optimistic that theater will not die as an artform, even in the face of our on-demand, digital consumption.

Paul Taylor, Executive VP of Special Projects at the Pew Research Center, discusses the phenomenon of boomerangers: millennials who come back home to live with their parents after college.

Jeffrey Kluger describes some of the key traits of narcissistic personality disorder, pointing out that some of our greatest leaders have narcissistic tendencies.

Shmuley Boteach argues that men have affairs because their low self-esteem requires constant affirmation. Boteach, an American Orthodox rabbi, is author of “Kosher Lust: Love is Not the Answer.”

Former US House Representative Barney Frank argues that the ignorance underlying resistance to same-sex marriage and marijuana legalization is similar. In both cases, he says, reality will overcome prejudice and […]

Luis von Ahn describes the model for the free language-learning platform, Duolingo. The idea, he says, goes back to his childhood, where he imagined a model for a gymnasium that […]

Sam Harris describes the properties of consciousness and how mindfulness practices of all stripes can be used to transcend one’s ego.

Professional skateboarder Chris Cole explains how skaters are trendsetters, innovators, and outside-of-the-box visionaries.

We owe it to ourselves, says Perel, to be happy and search for our own gratification and sexual expressiveness.

Leila Janah describes how the idea of microwork can be used to employee those in need of work in the developing world. Janah is the founder and CEO of Samasource.

OkCupid co-founder and president Christian Rudder opines on the blurred lines of data ownership in the digital world.

Vivek Wadhwa points out the lack of women in the technology sector and discusses the negative public backlash to his coverage of the issue. Wadwha is a fellow at Rock […]

Lisa Bodell discusses the reasons that companies and individuals resist change. To overcome this tendency, she says, we must change our mindset, reconsider our assumptions, deploy a top-down strategy, and […]

Bill Nye (The Science Guy!) discusses two lines of logic for Common Core opponents.

Junheng Li discusses the “gifting economy” in the Chinese business sector. The exposure of such corrupt practices is so disruptive that it can be detected in stock prices of luxury […]

Xapo CEO and founder Wences Casares explains why, after a 5,000 year reign, gold has been surpassed by bitcoin as the ideal ledger.

Roberto Mangabeira Unger offers an in-depth analysis of religion’s failed attempt at confronting the world. Unger is a philosopher and professor at Harvard Law School.