ScienceSeeker Editor's Picks: Superstition, "Up" North, Addiction, Mental Illness
By Jason G. Goldman
This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American
Here are my Science Seeker Editor's Selections for the past week:
"To prepare for Wimbledon, Bjorn grew a beard and wore the same Fila shirt during the matches." At Why We Reason, Sam McNerney discusses the science of superstition.
Why do we say that we travel "up north" or "down south"? It turns out that people, in general, assume it's hillier up north. Even if it isn't! Read about it at BPS Research Digest.
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.
At the TEDMED 2012 conference, Addiction Inbox blogger Dirk Hanson caught up with Retraction Watch's Ivan Oransky to discuss the disease model of addiction.
There's a lot of talk about the relationship between creativity and mental illness. But let's not romanticize it, warns the Neurocritic: suffering for art is still suffering.
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.
