# health
A disturbing new trend is invading American discourse: toxic, weaponized positivity and optimism.
# astrobiology
The more spread out an alien species is across the cosmos, the easier it would be to find and contact them. But how widespread could an alien civilization be?
# science
Communication between scientists and believers runs into a fundamental problem. Scientists see knowledge as impersonal. Believers don't.
# tech
In another major step for brain-machine interfaces, a stroke victim can speak using a computer with amazing accuracy.
# science
Science and skeptical blogs seem to be everywhere. Unfortunately their combined audience pales in comparison to the bully pulpits of committed cranks and anti-science activists on a mission.
# tech
A look at all the top stats of 2009 on the last day of the year.
# tech
Another year comes to close at Weird Things and what a year it was...
# science
If you're a divisive, scientifically illiterate crank whose only talents are to start fights and attract attention, you've been living your best decade.
# science
Deepak Chopra proudly accepts his title as King of Woo and goes on a spittle flecked tirade against his critics.
# oddities
A classic scam gets a little Illuminati twist for the conspiracy-minded mark eager to learn the secrets of material wealth and cosmic awareness.
# politics
Indiana governor Mitch Daniels teaches a master class in mindless, empty, hostile zealotry and stringing together supposedly fear-inducing buzzwords.
# space
If we'll ever meaningfully explore space, the first thing we need is a vision from our leaders that stretches beyond just winning the next election.
# space
At the dawn of the universe, enormous black holes were among the first things to be born, and at the end of it, they will be among the last to die.
# space
The IIS is an engineering marvel and one of humanity's biggest accomplishments. Unfortunately, its potential is being wasted and its future is being horribly mismanaged.
# tech
The team behind Duke Nukem Forever failed to learn the most important lesson of any creative and engineering field: at some point you have to stop designing and building the thing.
