Besides Earth itself, Mars is the most-studied planet in the solar system. The 47 missions that have been launched since the start of the space age have put probes in orbit and landers on the surface from half a dozen space agencies. One reason
The secret behind the world’s happiest country
For the seventh year running Finland has just been declared the world’s happiest country by the World Happiness Report, launched in 2012 to promote the sustainable development goals of the United Nations (UN). Those surveyed were asked to evaluate t
In praise of magical thinking
One humid afternoon, I accompanied my friend Amadou Gano to the Central Market in Mali’s capital, Bamako. Amadou needed to buy some lion fat, which he would rub on his joints, for arthritis. A decade ago, before war had swallowed up central Mali
The sport in which nine-year-old prodigies are world-beaters
The Grandmaster sits at the pinnacle of chess. The title evokes excellence and experience, a garland for someone who has mastered the game and all its many intricacies. The term was first used in 1838 to describe a British player, William L
How Will You Measure Your Life?
Don’t reserve your best business thinking for your career. by Clayton M. Christensen Discover - How Will You Measure Your Life?:- Editor’s note (2010): When the members of the class of 2010 entered business school, the economy was strong and th
Should You Just Give Up?
Sisyphus couldn’t stop pushing his boulder—but you can. By Joshua Rothman Discover - Should You Just Give Up? :- Around fifteen years ago, an old college friend of mine had a close call in the mountains. He and a companion were on a ski trip when
The disruption nexus
Moments of crisis, such as our own, are great opportunities for historic change, but only under highly specific conditions. Discover - The disruption nexus: Polycrisis. Metacritic. Omnicrisis. Permacrisis. Call it what you like. We are immersed i
Governing for the planet
Nation-states are no longer fit for purpose to create a habitable future for humans and nature. Which political system is it? Discover - Governing for the planet - Everybody knows that pestilences have a way of recurring in the world,’ Tedros Adh
Will we ever… understand why music makes us feel good?
The catalysts No one knows why music has such a potent effect on our emotions. But thanks to some recent studies we have a few intriguing clues. Why do we like music? Like most good questions, this one works on many levels. We have answers on
Why aren’t smart people happier?
The catalysts Intelligence is a very general mental capability that, among other things, involves the ability to reason, plan, solve problems, think abstractly, comprehend complex ideas, learn quickly and learn from experience. It is not merely b