Observations
When Leaders Are Bullies
In primate societies, whether human or nonhuman, a leader who's a bloated, self-serving egotist creates mayhem and confusion
Blogs
Observations
Save the Sharks!
We harm and kill vastly more of them than they do of us—but a research/educational project in the Bahamas aims to help change that
Observations
Care about Science? Demand a Better Democracy
We won’t get science-based policies unless our political system permits them
Recent Posts
Select Topic
Should Reality Make Us Glad or Sad?
Some sages say seeing things as they truly are should make us feel fantastic, but others demur.
Hibernating Squirrels and the Government Shutdown
In my lab and many others, time-sensitive research is in peril
Happy Sesquicentennial, Periodic Table!
The organizing scheme that revolutionized our understanding of the chemical elements turns 150 in 2019
Voronoi Tessellations and Scutoids Are Everywhere
So what are they, anyway?
The Cost of Giving Birth in the U.S.
Data visualization reveals how much hospitals across the nation charge for some of the most common procedures
Bringing Individual Potential to a Team Opportunity
The Broadcom MASTERS competition gives middle schoolers a chance to step out from behind their science fair posters and up to a series of hands-on challenges as part of a team
The Evolutionary Advantages of an Addictive Personality
It’s often correlated with risk-embracing behavior, which could have benefited our distant ancestors
The Myth of Genetic Superbabies
Gene-editing technologies are advancing rapidly, but human enhancement is harder than many seem to think
Cypher's Choice: Painful Reality or Pleasant Delusion?
The care of people with dementia poses an agonizing philosophical dilemma
In the Nature–Nurture War, Robert Plomin Is Fighting a Losing Battle
One of the leading behavioral geneticists of our time is promulgating outdated and potentially pernicious notions about the interplay of nature and nurture
Blog Index
@ScientificAmerican
STAFFBehind the scenes at Scientific American
Read
Anecdotes from the Archive
STAFF
Read
Anthropology in Practice
Exploring the human condition.
Read
Beautiful Minds
Insights into intelligence, creativity, personality, and well-being
Read
Budding Scientist
Everything you always wanted to know about raising science-literate kids
Read
Cross-Check
Critical views of science in the news
Read
Dark Star Diaries
STAFF
Read
Dog Spies
Explore the science behind the dog in your bed
Read
Expeditions
Read
Extinction Countdown
News and research about endangered species from around the world
Read
Frontiers for Young Minds
Science by and for kids ages 8-15
Read
Guest Blog
Commentary invited by editors of Scientific American
Read
Hot Planet
Climate science in a changing world
Read
Illusion Chasers
Illusions, Delusions, and Everyday Deceptions
Read
Life, Unbounded
Discussion and news about planets, exoplanets, and astrobiology
Read
MIND Guest Blog
Commentary invited by editors of Scientific American Mind
Read
Not bad science
New discoveries in animal behavior and cognition
Read
Observations
Opinion, arguments & analyses from guest experts and from the editors of Scientific American
Read
Plugged In
More than wires - exploring the connections between energy, environment, and our lives
Read
Roots of Unity
Mathematics: learning it, doing it, celebrating it.
Read
Rosetta Stones
Adventures in the good science of rock-breaking.
Read
SA Visual
STAFFIllustrating science since 1845
Read
Talking back
STAFFA science blog, sans blague
Read
Tetrapod Zoology
Amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals - living and extinct
Read
The Artful Amoeba
A Blog About the Weird Wonderfulness of Life on Earth
Read
Voices
Exploring and celebrating diversity in science.
Read
