EDITOR'S PICK SCIENCE Xenolinguistics: The Key To Understanding Alien Language Key Takeaway: In the 2016 sci-fi film “Arrival,” humanity faces the challenge of deciphering an alien language composed of circular, palindromic symbols. AI research, known as “emergent communication,” allows researchers to study language formation within a controlled environment, mimicking how linguistic structures could emerge from scratch. AI agents, or digital “beings,” evolve ways to describe […] Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
EDITOR'S PICK PSYCHOLOGY SCIENCE Why Forgetting Is Essential: The Hidden Power Of Memory Loss Key Takeaway: Memory research has long explored the reasons behind forgetting, with the “forgetting curve” illustrating that people lose details of new information quickly after learning it. Memory formation involves strengthening synapses, making the memory more resilient. Memory is also adaptive, constantly evolving to handle new information. This adaptability is vital for navigating minor changes […] Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
EDITOR'S PICK PHILOSOPHY The Philosophy Of Ghosts Key Takeaway: Philosophers like Henri Bergson and William James were drawn to the field of “psychical research,” which delved into supernatural phenomena like telepathy, clairvoyance, and ghosts. These mysteries led to the development of theories on ghosts, life beyond death, and the strange powers exhibited by trance-induced mediums. C.D. Broad, a Cambridge professor, introduced the […] Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
EDITOR'S PICK SOCIOLOGY Extreme Weather Conspiracy Theories: What Is Really Happening? Key Takeaway: Hurricane Milton in Florida sparked a rise in extreme weather conspiracy theories, which often arise after catastrophic events. These theories aim to explain significant events by attributing them to the secret actions of powerful groups. However, these theories often require a plausible group capable of executing the secretive actions they propose. People embrace […] Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
EDITOR'S PICK SCIENCE Can We Really Change Our Personality? Key Takeaway: Personality tests often suggest that personality is static, but modern psychology shows that traits can evolve over time. People can reshape their personality traits to align with their goals in life. Personality traits are not fixed and can evolve over time, with conscious effort and behavioral adjustments. Studies show that intentional effort can […] Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
EDITOR'S PICK SOCIOLOGY The Dark Side Of Digital Drama Key Takeaway: The subreddit “Am I the Asshole?” has become a cultural phenomenon, with 20 million members and a focus on dissecting digital disputes. The platform encourages users to share stories about their non-violent conflicts, transforming them into moral judgments with quick votes and comments. AITA’s success lies in its structured approach to storytelling, which […] Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
EDITOR'S PICK SCIENCE SOCIOLOGY TECHNOLOGY The Rise Of Robotic Kitchens Key Takeaway: The rise of robotic kitchens is transforming the way we prepare and consume meals, potentially altering the fabric of society. While these innovations are currently being adopted primarily by restaurants and food businesses, it’s only a matter of time before they make their way into homes. The convenience of robotic kitchens could bring […] Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
BUSINESS & ECONOMICS EDITOR'S PICK Reviving State Power: The New Era of Industrial Policy Key Takeaway: State intervention in global economics is gaining momentum, particularly since the 2010s, due to financial crises, geopolitical tensions, and the fragility of global supply chains. The relationship between exports and protectionism is complex, as successful industrial and trade policies often blend export promotion with elements of protectionism. South Korea and Taiwan have used […] Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
EDITOR'S PICK SCIENCE Unveiling The Mysteries Of Death: The Human Autopsy Key Takeaway: An autopsy is a methodical, often quiet, and respectful examination of the body to uncover the truth about a death. It is conducted when the cause of death is unclear and the dignity of the deceased is a guiding principle. Autopsies are categorized into two types: non-coronial and coronial. Non-coronial autopsies are conducted […] Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
EDITOR'S PICK SCIENCE The Ancestor Of All Life On Earth Key Takeaway: A new study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution aims to reconstruct the genome of the last universal common ancestor, Luca, the ancient predecessor from which all life descends. Researchers analyzed genomes from bacteria and archaea, excluding eukaryotes, to determine their functions in modern organisms. They constructed phylogenetic trees, constructing 57 key genes […] Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
The Consciousness Conundrum Key Takeaway: The mystery of consciousness has been a subject of debate for centuries, with numerous theories vying for the title. In 2024, the Cogitate Consortium conducted an “adversarial collaboration” between Global Neuronal Workspace Theory (GNWT) and Integrated Information Theory (IIT). The study aimed to test the theories under neutral conditions, revealing that confirmation bias […] Written by Empirics Asia May 2, 2025May 2, 2025 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
The Illusion Of Control Key Takeaway: Magicians have long exploited the quirks in our perception and thought processes, manipulating the gaps between perception and reality. Recent scientific research shows that the real magic lies in what their craft can teach us about the human brain. Magic is increasingly becoming a research tool in psychology and cognitive science, uncovering profound […] Written by Empirics Asia April 30, 2025April 30, 2025 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
Is Big Tech Killing Free Speech or Saving It? Key Takeaway: President Donald Trump’s executive order titled “Restoring Freedom of Speech and Ending Federal Censorship” accused the previous administration of stifling free expression by working with social media companies to curb misinformation and label misleading content. However, recent research suggests that less regulation can actually make the internet a less free place for speech, […] Written by Empirics Asia April 23, 2025April 23, 2025 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
How The Brain Learns Key Takeaway: Recent research published in Science has revealed that the brain uses multiple learning mechanisms simultaneously, revealing the complexity behind brain wiring. Neurons communicate through electric signals called synapses, which form complex networks of connections that transmit information. The traditional theory of synaptic plasticity assumes uniformity between neurons, but the new study found that […] Written by Empirics Asia April 22, 2025April 22, 2025 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
Did We Just Discover Life On A Distant Planet? Key Takeaway: A new study published in Nature Astronomy claims that the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has detected atmospheric signals on K2-18b, a distant world 124 light-years from Earth. The researchers found traces of molecules often associated with biological activity on Earth, including dimethyl sulphide (DMS). The scientists are 99.7% confident in the presence […] Written by Empirics Asia April 21, 2025April 21, 2025 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
Why So Many People Believe In The Supernatural Key Takeaway: Belief in the supernatural, including ghosts, spirits, astrology, and psychic powers, is more common than people might expect. These beliefs offer a sense of control, meaning, and comfort in the face of life’s unpredictability. They fall outside the boundaries of conventional science and include ideas like fate, spiritual forces, and life after death. […] Written by Empirics Asia April 18, 2025April 18, 2025 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
The Future Merging Of Mind And Machine Key Takeaway: Brain-computer interface (BCI) technology is rapidly redefining human potential, with breakthroughs in artificial intelligence and machine learning enabling the translation of thoughts into action. The brain is a complex network of over 80 billion neurons, processing thoughts, memories, emotions, and sensory inputs. Advances in AI, miniaturized electronics, and neuroimaging have led to the […] Written by Empirics Asia April 16, 2025April 16, 2025 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
Rethinking Education Key Takeaways: The Industrial model of education that fueled the modern era and its dizzying reach did its job incredibly well. In his writing, Flynn illustrates study after study, spanning nations and decades, in which modern educational gift of abstraction — a transcendent sign of intelligence, as we saw in Raven’s Matrices — has been […] Written by Anthony Fieldman March 2, 2022October 19, 2022 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
How China Is Transforming Its Economy Through Learning I highly recommend reading the McKinsey Global Institute’s new report, “Reskilling China: Transforming The World’s Largest Workforce Into Lifelong Learners”, which focuses on the country’s biggest employment challenge, re-training its workforce and the adoption of practices such as lifelong learning to address the growing digital transformation of its productive fabric. How to transform the country […] Written by Enrique Dans February 1, 2021February 1, 2021 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
Why You’re Not Seeing Success With Influencer Marketing With the new year around the corner, now is a good time to re-evaluate your past marketing strategies and gear up for the year ahead. For some businesses, influencer marketing has simply not seemed to live up to its lofty promises of genuine engagement, credibility, and transparency. Some have claimed that it has been failing […] Written by Michael Tan January 14, 2021January 15, 2021 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
A New Philosophy of Business I’m about to ask you to take a mental leap. For the next 8 minutes, suspend your notions of what a business is, and I’ll propose a new lens for you to look through. There are a lot of questions asked around what “community” means for business. “Where should community fit in my organization?” and […] Written by Empirics Asia September 5, 2018September 5, 2018 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked