How an economist ended up in such an enviable position is a common theme of late, economists turning up on the bestseller lists with easy-to-digest tomes using the dry principles of cost/benefit analyses, risk and self-interest to explain everything from teen pregnancy to drug abuse. … Continue readingTrading Places

With neurons and synapses forging new connections and strengthening or discarding old ones, the brain is like the grand staircase in the Harry Potter films, constantly reshifting structure on a microscopic scale. Is it so hard to imagine those changes affecting the macroscopic scale? … Continue readingThe Brain that Changes Itself

"You don’t want to take yourself too seriously," Pretor-Pinney cautions, "we make fun of a certain nerdiness in talking about clouds and it’s important to see the funny side in what you do. Finding shapes in the clouds is a pointless, aimless activity that has great value in reminding us not to be too adult or clever." … Continue readingHead in the Clouds

Without warning, Freemantle is inspired to sketch and paint the endless Gulf of Mexico that stretches away in front of his rented house, then finds himself inserting abstract objects into his work from memories of his accident, family, and unexplained objects that you just know are sinister. … Continue readingDuma Key