Bozo Sapiens

Burnout

The Rodney King Riots: Individuality

Michael Kaplan on April 29, 2010

What forces drive a race riot?

What forces drive a race riot?

Behavioral Economics

Taxes: the Morning After

Michael Kaplan on April 15, 2010

Give to charity, you feel pleasure; give to the government, you feel pain.  Why?

Give to charity, you feel pleasure; give to the government, you feel pain.  Why?

Conformity

Obedience: the Lesson of Eichmann

Michael Kaplan on April 11, 2010

What the trial of the Holocaust's logistics man teaches us about conformity.

What the trial of the Holocaust's logistics man teaches us about conformity.

Understanding Twins

Reincarnation: the Cabinet of Dr. Stevenson

Michael Kaplan on February 8, 2010

There's real evidence for reincarnation; so why does science ignore it? The answer lies in the Cabinet of Dr. Stevenson.

There's real evidence for reincarnation; so why does science ignore it? The answer lies in the Cabinet of Dr. Stevenson.

Trust

Trust Me: Why Ponzi Schemes Work

Michael Kaplan on December 11, 2009

Madoff, Son of Ponzi: the frauds we always fall for.

Madoff, Son of Ponzi: the frauds we always fall for.

Genetics

Facing Up to the Other

Michael Kaplan on November 16, 2009

Why you are right to hate the Pirese.

Why you are right to hate the Pirese.

Spirituality

Signs and Portents: the Miracle of the Sun

Michael Kaplan on October 13, 2009

70,000 people (and the Pope) saw it; so must it be true?

70,000 people (and the Pope) saw it; so must it be true?

Media

Goggling at the Box

Michael Kaplan on October 9, 2009

Why there is no such thing as "educational television."

Why there is no such thing as "educational television."

Trauma

Secret Conspiracy Revealed!

Michael Kaplan on October 2, 2009

The man on the grassy knoll: what makes us suckers for conspiracy?

The man on the grassy knoll: what makes us suckers for conspiracy?

Politics

Pilgrim's Progress: One Man's Lost Battle with Authority

Michael Kaplan on September 25, 2009

One man's battle with City Hall shows how human nature itself leads to an oppressive State.

One man's battle with City Hall shows how human nature itself leads to an oppressive State.

Parenting

To College with Lord Chesterfield

Michael Kaplan on September 21, 2009

Dropping our only son off at college, I struggled for the perfect piece of essential advice, the ideal nudge that would somehow set his lone trajectory from this moment forward in exactly the right direction. I failed.

Dropping our only son off at college, I struggled for the perfect piece of essential advice, the ideal nudge that would somehow set his lone trajectory from this moment forward in exactly the right direction. I failed.

Anger

Message from a Bomber

Michael Kaplan on September 20, 2009

What can we learn from a "mad bomber?"

What can we learn from a "mad bomber?"

Anger

Holy Places, Profane Practices

Michael Kaplan on September 14, 2009

It's who you keep out that makes a place special.

It's who you keep out that makes a place special.

Politics

!00% Unamerican!

Michael Kaplan on August 28, 2009

What does it mean to be American?  Let's ask Congress!

What does it mean to be American?  Let's ask Congress!

Evolutionary Psychology

Monsters from the Deep

Michael Kaplan on August 21, 2009

Beasts of the imagination: why we see animals everywhere.

Beasts of the imagination: why we see animals everywhere.

Evolutionary Psychology

Apocalypse… Soon

Michael Kaplan on August 12, 2009

The end of the world will be on DVD.

The end of the world will be on DVD.

Diet

Curse of the Yummy

Michael Kaplan on July 31, 2009

Modern science + ancient urges = obesity.

Modern science + ancient urges = obesity.

Neuroscience

Seeing Things

Michael Kaplan on July 24, 2009

What are your illusions telling you?

What are your illusions telling you?

Personality

Burning for Celebrity

Michael Kaplan on July 21, 2009

What will you do to be famous?

What will you do to be famous?

What makes a politician think adultery's OK?