Blogs

Science and Cruelty

How brains, beliefs, and being human give rise to the horrors of human cruelty.

by Kathleen Taylor

Kathleen Taylor is a freelance science writer and researcher affiliated with Oxford University. See full bio

September 25, 2009

Antidotes to human nastiness

Human cruelty is disturbing and depressing. How do you cope? Read More

July 30, 2009

Could we stop killing?

I like to be in America ... to talk about killing? Read More

June 22, 2009

Creeping up on consciousness

Consciousness remains a mystery. But we may be one step closer to understanding it. Read More

June 21, 2009

Of microwaves and their effects on brains

Someone, somewhere, is trying to manipulate your brain ... Read More

June 11, 2009

Has Myra Hindley's successor just been chosen?

Paedophilia: a parent's nightmare; a journalist's dream; a problem desperately needing further research. Read More

June 3, 2009

"Standing isn't torture;. I stand in my office every day." According to some people, death threats, water-boarding or a little light physical abuse aren't torture either. Now a new study shows that in torture it's the context which matters, not whether one specific method is used or not. Bright lights and loud music in a nightclub are not the same as in a prison cell. Read More

May 26, 2009

Milgram with bugs (II): Thinking and Findings

To get psychology students to kill, first catch your woodlouse Read More

May 26, 2009

Milgram with bugs (I): the Method

Could you be a killer? Almost certainly yes. Read More

May 15, 2009

Milgram on TV

Ethics and television ... uneasy bedfellows? Read More

May 14, 2009

Beyond the Horizon: Michael Portillo on violence

This week, Horizon, the BBC's 'flagship' science programme, considered the brain and violence in an episode featuring ex-Conservative politician Michael Portillo. This is a major national network, communicating the cutting edge of brain research. Expect to be informed? Looking forward to some revelations? (You can see it coming, can't you?) Read More