EXPLORING THE UNIVERSE

Why Do We Love Sports?

Why Do We Love Sports?

Today, the Olympics still brings countries of the world together in the spirit of healthy competition, many of whom are not friendly with one another anywhere else. Why do we love sports so much that we’re willing to put aside even our most extreme differences to participate in them? Maybe it’s because we want to feel the highs of winning without the fear of the consequences of losing. When the soldiers played against each other, they could get excited over the potential of winning, without worrying about what would happen to them if they didn’t.
Read more
TikTok Is Causing A Mass Psychosis

TikTok Is Causing A Mass Psychosis

In June 2019, Kirsten Muller-Vahl, a psychiatrist at Hannover Medical School and head of its Tourette’s outpatient department, noticed unusual symptoms in her new set of patients. To begin with, all of them were teenagers, and they were suffering from sudden and uncontrollable tics. Even though none of them had any history of the condition, they were all shouting different kinds of obscenities. 
Read more
The History of the Entire Universe

The History of the Entire Universe

The entire Universe, every electron, proton, atom, every star and galaxy, was born out of a singularity that brought about our whole existence. The Big Bang, an isolated moment in space and time, created something out of nothing. For eons we didn’t know much about the Universe, but through advancements in science and technology we’re now able to travel back in time, right to the point just after the Big Bang to finally piece together its entire history. And in the next 10 minutes, I’ll be sharing that history with you.
Read more
Thought Experiments No One Can Solve

Thought Experiments No One Can Solve

This is a thought experiment. It uses a hypothetical and oftentimes somewhat ridiculous situation to help get us to the core of a deeper philosophical or scientific question. This one being: Is there anything about you that’s irreplaceable? If some kind of computerized robot-clone were to replace your body, mind and memories, would that new you be enough to fool your parents, siblings, best friend or partner? Or would there be a vital, unseen, internal piece of you missing? Something that can’t be quantified physically.

Read more
The Artemis Program: One Giant Leap for Humankind

The Artemis Program: One Giant Leap for Humankind

Now, after five decades of remote exploration, we are once again aiming to send humans back to the Moon. This time, with much greater ambitions that are set to revolutionize space travel and catapult us into further planetary exploration of our Solar System. Apollo, the Greek god of the Sun, took us to the Moon and back, but it’s Artemis, his twin sister, who’s going to lead us toward building a base there and guide us in landing the first human on Mars.
Read more
What if Black Panther Was Real?

What if Black Panther Was Real?

Who is your favorite superhero? There are so many to choose from that it can be tough to pick just one, but for millions of people, the answer is undoubtedly Black Panther. Portrayed on the big screen by the beloved Chadwick Boseman, Black Panther was an instant global phenomenon. Millions of moviegoers the world over flooded into theaters, some more than once, to escape into the colorful, Afrofuturist nation of Wakanda and watch the daring exploits of King T’Challa.
Read more
Minimalism: The Pursuit of Less

Minimalism: The Pursuit of Less

The new PlayStation you swore you couldn’t live without. The heap of clothes in your wardrobe that you said you might have a need to wear again someday. We hoard so much stuff and convince ourselves that we need it all. But when our eyes glow red and the fire truck blares its sirens in the distance, none of that seems to matter. Why then do we cling on to these things so much?
Read more
How to Buy Happiness With Money

How to Buy Happiness With Money

Evelyn Adams was the first person in American history to ever win multiple million-dollar prizes. Basically overnight, she went from working in a convenience store to being worth more than some CEOs. With her newfound wealth, Adams paid off bills, set up a college fund for her daughter, bought a car, and lavished friends and family with gifts. You’d think a story like this would come with a happily ever after finale, but you’d be very wrong.
Read more
Why Do We Laugh?

Why Do We Laugh?

We know a lot about human behavior. We eat for energy to keep us moving. We breathe to bring more oxygen into our blood and to expel carbon dioxide. We blink to keep our eyes moist and sweep away dust particles.We yell to get the attention of someone or a group. We cough to clear our throats and airways of germs, mucus and dust. We shiver to warm up and we sweat to cool down. 
Read more
Dopamine: The Most Controversial Hormone

Dopamine: The Most Controversial Hormone

We live in a constant state of anxiety, waiting for the next time our phones will light up so that our brains can be flooded with that rush of pleasant emotions caused by none other than dopamine, the most controversial hormone. On the one hand, Pinterest is rampant with photos of people tattooing the molecule on themselves. Fashion magazines and blogs flaunt dopamine fashion trends, bright, bold colors that can supposedly trigger the coveted chemical release.
Read more
Augmented Reality and the Gamification of Society

Augmented Reality and the Gamification of Society

Smartphones have long aspired to break down the barriers between users and the digital realm. For the most part, this has been successful. So much so, that many people view their smartphones as an extension of themselves. In a sense, technology has become a part of us. Augmented reality takes this idea to the next level by fully merging the digital with the physical. However, one serious drawback of this technology is that it makes it even harder to unplug. Spending a few hours staring at your phone is bad enough, but what about being immersed all day in a digitally altered environment? What kind of effect would that have on us? 
Read more
Is Iran Experiencing a Revolution?

Is Iran Experiencing a Revolution?

Iran has a long history of civil disobedience, especially in recent years as political corruption has grown and the economic situation in the country has deteriorated. But Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the rest of Iran’s authoritarian leaders have survived all past attempts to undermine their control. Some observers are suggesting that this time may be different. Although more than 200 people have been killed in the fighting, protesters are showing no signs of backing down. Many seem willing to give up their lives for the cause. Considering all of this, it begs the question, are we seeing a revolution happening before our very eyes?

Read more