Experimental Tests of Theology
It's understandable why some people prefer not to test their beliefs, but evidence-based science teaches us that reality does not go away when you ignore it...
Stories by Avi Loeb
Why Do We Assume Extraterrestrials Might Want to Visit Us?
The idea presumes we’re inherently fascinating, but that’s not necessarily the case
Did We Receive a Message from a Planet Orbiting the Nearest Star?
A radio blip, seemingly from Proxima Centauri, where an Earth-size planet world orbits in the habitable zone, is tantalizing—but it’s probably not a signal from aliens
The Cosmic Dawn of Technology
Earth may well be a latecomer to the fraternity of technological civilizations
Let’s Search for Alien Probes, Not Just Alien Signals
“Multimessenger” SETI would broaden the quest to find celestial companions
Endless Creation Out of Nothing
Could our universe have been an experiment by an ancient civilization?
Noah’s Spaceship
A craft built to save Earth’s biodiversity from a planetary crisis would be far tinier—but vastly more far-reaching—than the biblical Ark
The Scientific Benefits of Social Distancing
Avoiding too much direct contact with colleagues can lead to more independent thinking
The Empty Half of the Glass May Also Be Full
How many scientific breakthroughs have been lost because they came from outside the mainstream?
Black Holes Are Finally Trending
A Nobel Prize is just the latest proof that a concept rejected by Einstein in 1939 has become one of the hottest topics in physics
Living near a White Dwarf
A planet orbiting the glowing corpse of a sunlike star might be a surprisingly benign place to be
Searching for the Atoms of Life
Any extraterrestrial organisms we find will be made of the same atoms we are—yet their existence will be profoundly important to us nonetheless
Academia after COVID
The pandemic offers colleges and universities an unexpected opportunity to reinvent themselves in ways that better serve students and faculty
Nature’s Splendor Exceeds Our Imagination
When you’re unprepared to find exceptional things, you never will
Social Distancing on a Cosmic Scale
Advanced extraterrestrials may just not be interested in travel or communication
The Hawking Limit
The late, great physicist showed us how to keep embracing life and work even as his physical condition deteriorated
The Dangers of Intellectual Territorialism
Narrow expertise has its value, but it’s also vital to let scientists step out of their “lanes”
What if We Could Live for a Million Years?
Vastly extended life spans would bring dazzling opportunities—and daunting risks
A Movie of the Evolving Universe Is Potentially Scary
The Vera C. Rubin Observatory will reveal all sorts of short-term changes in the cosmos—and some could have dire consequences for humanity
The Power of Scientific Brainstorming
The process can be inefficient, but it can also get research out of a rut
