The Humanities and the Future
Our descendants’ lives will be intertwined with advanced technologies—and that will revitalize non-technological disciplines such as philosophy
Stories by Abraham Loeb
Living Near a Supermassive Black Hole
It would pose some dangers, of course—but it could also be fun!
Are We Really the Smartest Kid on the Cosmic Block?
It’s unlikely, and if we keep thinking otherwise, we might be missing some important clues about the existence of extraterrestrial life
Be Kind to Extraterrestrials
We need to tread lightly if we encounter alien ecosystems
Advanced Extraterrestrials as an Approximation to God
Our first encounter with E.T. technology could be as baffling to us as a smartphone would have been to a Neandertal
Our Future in Space Will Echo Our Future on Earth
A spacefaring civilization can be expected to transform its home planet
How to Approach the Problem of 'Oumuamua
The first interstellar object ever found provides an excellent test of the scientific process
6 Strange Facts about the Interstellar Visitor 'Oumuamua
On October 19, 2017, the first interstellar object, ‘Oumuamua, was discovered by the Pan-STARRS survey. The experience was similar to having a surprise guest for dinner show up from another country...
Seeking the Truth When the Consensus Is against You
You should always listen to the experts—except when you shouldn’t
Making the Church Taller
We should not accept our notions of reality as given, but always make them better
How to Search for Dead Cosmic Civilizations
If they’re short-lived, we might be able to detect the relics and artifacts they left behind...
The Fate of Free Will: When Science Crosses Swords with Philosophy
In some domains the two knowledge systems are complementary, but in others they might be headed for conflict...
The Power of Anomalies
Progress in science is sometimes propelled by the discovery of experimental oddities that inspire a fresh perspective on nature
Theoretical Physics Is Pointless without Experimental Tests
Our discipline is a dialogue with nature, not a monologue, as some theorists would prefer to believe
Science Is an Infinite-Sum Game
It’s a win–win endeavor with unlimited horizons for expanding our island of knowledge into the ocean of ignorance
Where Do Ideas Come from?
They’re nurtured by informal dialogues in environments where mistakes are tolerated and critical thinking is encouraged
Finding Fuel for Our Frigid Cosmic Future
As dark energy accelerates the expansion of the universe, civilizations will likely migrate into rich clusters of galaxies
Testing Philosophy through Experiments
New technologies could shed light on old philosophical questions, such as the nature of the mind and whether moral values reflect universal truth
Maybe We Could "See" a Singularity After All
When black holes collide, interactions between their cores might leave an imprint on the resulting gravitational waves
Escape from Proxima b
A civilization in the habitable zone of a dwarf star like Proxima Centauri might find it hard to get into interstellar space with conventional rockets
