False sense of security from pollsters
Polls are different from elections, though the difference can feel subtle. It's a mistake to assume that because pollsters project that an election is a foregone »
Thermostats and thermometers
There are people who act like thermostats who change the temperature of a room, introducing new ideas and making things happen. There are people who are »
The uncanny valley
In aesthetics, the uncanny valley is a hypothesis that describes why we find cartoons like XKCD more compelling, despite being stick figures, than drawings that are »
Surgeon General warnings on technology
As people become increasingly addicted to consumer electronics, it's time for the Surgeon General to issue warnings about their potentially detrimental side effects. In the same »
Baby wipes
Why do parents use baby wipes instead of toilet paper when changing babies' diapers? Likely, it's to keep things clean and follows a similar rationale for »
Do I really need that picture?
When people bring GoPro's with them to tourist attractions, what do they plan on doing with the footage? Are they actually going to scrub through it »
Consolidate the train system
I overheard that there's a separate train line for Peruvians to get to Machu Picchu that's cheaper and less fancy. While I understand the desire to »
Cash transactions
It's no surprise that in cash economies people are often skeptical of counterfeit bills. As transactions grow in size, the recipient is forced to bear the »
Customizing English class
From a young age, math classes are tracked to group students who are more and less comfortable with numbers. This helps teachers better engage students and »
On patinas
Why do we have a desire to restore some old things to mint condition, while we prefer patinas on others? By extension, who gets to decide »