Culture
Our Language of Refusal Reveals a Shifting Stance on Prejudice
The ways in which we're speaking out against Syrian refugees indicates that we are redefining prejudicial discourse
Anthropology in Practice
Exploring the human condition.
Behavior
What do those temporary Facebook profile pictures really mean?
We know that online peer pressure is powerful. But what we don't know is whether that pressure is driving real change
Behavior
We've Modified Our Behavior So We Can Text and Walk
We may be driving technology to respond to our needs in various areas, but this is one instance where we've definitely demonstrated that we're also adapting to accommodate technological change...
Health
How Do We Normalize Pregnancy?
Is our cultural antipathy toward pregnancy and children creating a health hazard?
The Sciences
Why Does Everything Look the Same?
Wooden floors. Open concept. Giant kitchen islands. Marble countertops. Large windows. High ceilings. Walk-in closets. Space for entertaining. Stainless steel appliances. These are some of the criteria that potential television home-buyers list when discussing what they want in a home. We live in an age that celebrates the person. So why are we striving to be the same from a design perspective?...
Culture
How Information Builds a Community
Social media has changed the way we access and process local news. It empowers individuals to share what they know, which can be both good and bad as people may sometimes share (and continue to share) inaccurate information. We know Facebook and Twitter can help serve the public's information needs during times of crisis...
Mind & Brain
Context Matters When It Comes to Travel Time
People will often feel that the return trip covering the same geographical distance requires less time to complete. It doesn't. When all factors are equalized--same distance, traveling at approximately the same speed, no external delays, roughly the same number of rest stops--the duration of the return trip will be almost identical to the original journey...
The Sciences
A Story of Wood
Wood has played an important role in the history of civilization. Humans have used it for fuel, building materials, furniture, paper, tools, weapons, and more. And demand for wood continues to increase annually, spurring conflicts between neighboring states over control of shared resources...
The Sciences
Rice and Beans: Shaping the Customer's Choice
As more cultural commodities enter the market, cultural distinctions will become muted to suit the appetites of a wider clientele
The Sciences
Rice and Beans: The Private Role of Food
The signfiicance of selling a personal substance in the public market.
Blog Index
@ScientificAmerican
STAFFBehind the scenes at Scientific American
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Anecdotes from the Archive
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Anthropology in Practice
Exploring the human condition.
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Beautiful Minds
Insights into intelligence, creativity, personality, and well-being
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Budding Scientist
Everything you always wanted to know about raising science-literate kids
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Cross-Check
Critical views of science in the news
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Dark Star Diaries
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Dog Spies
Explore the science behind the dog in your bed
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Extinction Countdown
News and research about endangered species from around the world
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Eye of the Storm
The Science Behind Extreme Weather
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Frontiers for Young Minds
Science by and for kids ages 8-15
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Guest Blog
Commentary invited by editors of Scientific American
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Hot Planet
Climate science in a changing world
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Illusion Chasers
Illusions, Delusions, and Everyday Deceptions
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Life, Unbounded
Discussion and news about planets, exoplanets, and astrobiology
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Observations
Opinion, arguments & analyses from guest experts and from the editors of Scientific American
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Roots of Unity
Mathematics: learning it, doing it, celebrating it.
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Rosetta Stones
Adventures in the good science of rock-breaking.
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SA Visual
STAFFIllustrating science since 1845
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Talking back
STAFFA science blog, sans blague
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The Artful Amoeba
A Blog About the Weird Wonderfulness of Life on Earth
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Voices
Exploring and celebrating diversity in science.
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