Modern life has made it increasingly difficult to focus on a single task. We know that brain-powered activities like reading, meditating, and even daydreaming have high value. But be honest: when was the last time you successfully read anything for half an hour without checking your messages? If you feel like your attention span has […]
Looks aren’t Everything
Here’s a sobering statistic: about half of girls between the ages of five and nine wish they were skinnier. Before they’re even old enough to read, these kids are taught that being thin is what it means to be beautiful. Kindergarteners should not be anxious about their weight. Renee Engeln, a psychology professor at Northwestern […]
Thinking About a Job Change?
The labor market has been especially volatile over the last few years, which has led to many people contemplating major career moves. But making a big change can be intimidating. For married couples, and especially people with children, the calculus is very complicated. Here’s a modest proposal: try implementing small changes before you make a […]
Have You Hit Your Optimal Speed?
Kenyans have dominated the world running scene for decades. Fascinated by their superiority, journalist and cross-country runner Adharanand Finn moved his family from their home in England to Kenya for six months so he could train with the best. One of the techniques that Finn learned was barefoot running. Our bodies are made to run […]
The War on Secrets
Information has always been a valuable resource. For thousands of years, codemakers have struggled to hide secrets—and codebreakers have worked just as hard to find them. Codes have decided the results of wars and the fates of kings and queens, who historically relied on secret communication to keep sensitive messages out of the wrong hands. […]
Do You Trust Yourself?
The ways in which you experience the world—all your perceptions and emotions—feel fundamentally true. But are they? After all, the human brain hasn’t evolved to understand itself perfectly. Its main function is to help you survive. In service of that, your brain isn’t above obscuring the truth, or even telling lies. Consider your emotions. When you’re […]
Is High Cholesterol Really a Worry?
Cholesterol is an essential molecule, and without it, human life would be impossible. In fact, cholesterol is so deeply necessary that it can be synthesized by almost every cell in your body. So why do physicians around the world prescribe billions of dollars’ worth of medicines to inhibit the creation of cholesterol in our bodies? […]
What Makes a Top CEO?
Since the mid-1900s, the degree to which a CEO is a key predicator of a company’s success has more than doubled. But over that same period, the job has become exponentially more difficult. Today’s CEOs must effectively manage new problems like technological change, a volatile workforce, and cybersecurity threats. On top of those challenges, more […]
The Other Pandemic
Elton John is accustomed to singing for audiences all over the world. But the scariest performances he’s ever had to put on were for the US government. Over the years, he’s made a number of nerve-wracking presentations to urge leaders to help him in the fight against HIV and AIDS. One of John’s key points […]
How to Build Out Your Professional Network
Our brains have evolved to perceive strangers as a threat. So it’s not a surprise that you start to sweat when you walk into a large room of people you don’t know. Your heart beats faster, your breathing quickens, and your palms get clammy. Your nervous system wants you to run! Reframing the situation can […]
