November 3, 2011

Editor's Selections: Warring Incans, Deception, and the Alaskan Highway

Join Our Community of Science Lovers!

This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American

Ed Note: Part of my online life includes editorial duties at ResearchBlogging.org, where I serve as the Social Sciences Editor. Each Thursday, I pick notable posts on research in anthropology, philosophy, social science, and research to share on the ResearchBlogging.org News site. To help highlight this writing, I also share my selections here on AiP.

This week on ResearchBlogging.org:

It's no secret that history has long been written by the victors. Fortunately, we have the means of exploring and testing alternative ideas and theories that offer alternative explanations to the social stories that constitute our past. At Bones Don't Lie, Katy Meyers discusses how archaeological evidence has been used to investigate just how warlike the Incans really were as compared to the claims made by the conquistadors.
Do you have a person who lives in your head and offers you (what you hope is) sage advice? We all do. It turns out that voice is an accomplished liar—and you are too, particularly when you don't like the news at hand. Cris Campbell of Genealogy of Religion explains why we're so good at deceiving ourselves.
Teofilo of Gambler's House has a fantastic piece on the construction of the Alaskan Highway highlighting the contributions of a multidisciplinary and culturally diverse team, and the far-reaching impact of this group.

On supporting science journalism

If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.

I'll be back next week with more from anthropology, philosophy, and research.

It’s Time to Stand Up for Science

If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.

I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.

If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.

In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.

There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.

Thank you,

David M. Ewalt, Editor in Chief, Scientific American