Consciousness, philosophy, psychology and wisdom traditions.
A new study in Nature shows that psilocybin does more than cause chaotic brain activity: it produces a hidden organization linked to the depth of the experience and positive psychological changes.
An experiment with chimpanzees in Uganda showed that close social bonds reduce food theft and influence both animals' reactions. The researchers believe the findings shed light on the evolutionary roots of friendship and mutual social expectations.
Anthropic has revised its usage policy, banning prolonged and unprovoked abusive or cruel behavior toward its models. The change is linked to the debate over whether artificial intelligence can be conscious, without providing evidence that it is.
Economist Barbara Ward linked the fight against poverty with protecting nature and international cooperation. An Aeon essay reexamines this planetary perspective, highlighting both its significance and its Western-centric contradictions.
In an excerpt published by Tricycle, Thich Nhat Hanh presents mindfulness as a way to make meaningful contact with life. His Buddhist approach connects acceptance of impermanence with joy, compassion and care for others.
The Thai teacher Ajahn Lee Dhammadharo explains why sincere intent and the four bases of success are essential for meditation and every action to bear fruit.
Venice's decision to confine Jews to the geto novo in 1516 grew out of a contradiction: the city wanted to expel them but could not survive without them. The result was an institution of segregation that would lend its name to every form of exclusion to this day.
In an 1884 letter to his brother Theo, Vincent van Gogh argues that fear of mistakes and the “blank stare” of the white canvas lead to stagnation and mediocrity; Amanda Palmer says the gift we have to give usually lies where we do not want to go and do not feel safe.
In an essay, Teague de La Plaine argues that excerpts lose their meaning when taken out of context, and defends slow, careful reading over collecting snippets from wise thinkers.
Nick Dunbar draws a parallel between Julian Jaynes's theory of the transition from the “voices of the gods” to consciousness and today's autonomous AI agents, amid claims that OpenAI has solved a famous fluid dynamics problem.
After losing a woman who was like a mother to her, writer Lisa Kwon found an unexpected grieving ritual in Pokopia, a cozy Pokémon social simulation game about restoring a deserted world.
Social psychologist Catherine Sanderson examines the psychological misperceptions that keep bystanders silent during sexual violence—and the evidence that correcting them and teaching intervention skills can reduce assaults.
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