Shut Up and Listen!

Artificial Intelligence

Is AI Alive? Thoughts From a Human

George Michelsen Foy on March 4, 2024

Big, complex systems often seem "strongly emergent"—behaving in ways we don't expect. As AI improves, will it be the next stage in evolution?

Big, complex systems often seem "strongly emergent"—behaving in ways we don't expect. As AI improves, will it be the next stage in evolution?

Depression

Tinnitus Is Psychologically Damaging, New Research Finds

George Michelsen Foy on December 7, 2023

New studies show that tinnitus—ringing in the ears—causes psychological stress, but new therapies may provide relief.

New studies show that tinnitus—ringing in the ears—causes psychological stress, but new therapies may provide relief.

Fear

Sharks! What Lies Behind Our Fear of Them?

George Michelsen Foy on August 17, 2023

Sharks trigger terror in humans, despite the near-zero chance we will actually be hurt by one. Scary aspects and a lack of cuddliness are two reasons. So is media hype.

Sharks trigger terror in humans, despite the near-zero chance we will actually be hurt by one. Scary aspects and a lack of cuddliness are two reasons. So is media hype.

Stress

Can Soundscape Tuning Improve Your Quality of Life?

George Michelsen Foy on May 20, 2023

We may improve our quality of life by examining and tuning the soundscape around us.

We may improve our quality of life by examining and tuning the soundscape around us.

Stress

Why Are the UN's Black Helicopters Targeting Me?

George Michelsen Foy on March 27, 2023

Conspiracy theories flourish in an environment of informational stress.

Conspiracy theories flourish in an environment of informational stress.

Health

The Faulty Message of "It's a Wonderful Life"

George Michelsen Foy on December 5, 2022

Personal Perspective: In real life, the Mr. Potter-types are coming out ahead.

Personal Perspective: In real life, the Mr. Potter-types are coming out ahead.

Media

Polarization, the Township, and Social Media

George Michelsen Foy on November 14, 2022

Deprived of neighborhoods and hooked on Twitter, it's no wonder we rage at others.

Deprived of neighborhoods and hooked on Twitter, it's no wonder we rage at others.

Fear

Why Does Polarization Happen?

George Michelsen Foy on October 24, 2022

How our brain is structured contributes to political polarization.

How our brain is structured contributes to political polarization.

Fear

Caveman Brain Versus Explorer Brain

George Michelsen Foy on September 2, 2022

Why is modern life still in thrall to the fight-or-flight reflex? Our brain structures provide an answer.

Why is modern life still in thrall to the fight-or-flight reflex? Our brain structures provide an answer.

Flow

The Creative Benefits of Writing Longhand

George Michelsen Foy on May 30, 2022

Writing with pen or pencil boosts recall and analysis and—maybe—creativity

Writing with pen or pencil boosts recall and analysis and—maybe—creativity

Teamwork

If Aliens Showed Up, Would Humans Stick Together?

George Michelsen Foy on March 15, 2022

The discovery of extraterrestrial life forms of whatever nature may profoundly affect how humans view themselves—but not how they may react to aliens.

The discovery of extraterrestrial life forms of whatever nature may profoundly affect how humans view themselves—but not how they may react to aliens.

Environment

What a Woodland Can Teach Us About Human Society

George Michelsen Foy on January 28, 2022

The symbiosis in a Cape Cod wildlife sanctuary contains lessons for America's highly polarized society and politics

The symbiosis in a Cape Cod wildlife sanctuary contains lessons for America's highly polarized society and politics

OCD

COVID-19 Precautions May Have Triggered OCD Symptoms

George Michelsen Foy on November 23, 2021

Protective measures against COVID-19 can mirror and spike obsessive behaviors. But there are ways to mitigate these effects.

Protective measures against COVID-19 can mirror and spike obsessive behaviors. But there are ways to mitigate these effects.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Tinnitus: Another Symptom of COVID-19?

George Michelsen Foy on June 18, 2021

While COVID-19 might be causing a spike in tinnitus cases, new research offers hope for sufferers

While COVID-19 might be causing a spike in tinnitus cases, new research offers hope for sufferers

Sex

Randomness in Mating Boosts Our Evolutionary Chances

George Michelsen Foy on March 31, 2021

Sex with strangers works at an evolutionary level. Is that why humans glorify romance?

Sex with strangers works at an evolutionary level. Is that why humans glorify romance?

Fear

Accident and Exploration

George Michelsen Foy on February 27, 2021

Humanity's road to progress has always come down to confronting and exploring the unknown, the random, the accidental

Humanity's road to progress has always come down to confronting and exploring the unknown, the random, the accidental

Optimism

For Want of a Nail: Accident and Human Evolution

George Michelsen Foy on January 1, 2021

Humans might have become optimists to survive in an uncertain universe.

Humans might have become optimists to survive in an uncertain universe.

Environment

If Accident Rules Our Lives: The Reign of the Random

George Michelsen Foy on December 7, 2020

What if accident rules our lives? First in a four-part series

What if accident rules our lives? First in a four-part series

Stress

The Kinder Side of COVID: A Rare and Beneficial Quiet

George Michelsen Foy on August 17, 2020

Quiet: A kinder side to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Quiet: A kinder side to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Can a Deadly Illness Have a Silver Lining?

George Michelsen Foy on May 27, 2020

Can a lethal flu have a silver lining? COVID-19 warns us of grave social changes, and reminds us that we're animals, too.

Can a lethal flu have a silver lining? COVID-19 warns us of grave social changes, and reminds us that we're animals, too.