DM Is a water molecule (H20) generally stable (aka: somewhat "permanent") in its solid, liquid and gaseous states; or does it diminish/return to hydrogen and liquid; or does it change into other more complex or different molecules? I realize there are "lighter" formations of water. Water molecules are remarkably stable across all three phases - solid ice, liquid water, and gaseous steam. The H₂O molecule itself doesn't spontaneously break apart into hydrogen and oxygen under

History shows that progress often depends on activists at both ends of the spectrum. More from " The Engine of Progress" ... Exploring the people and ideas driving humanity forward.

Humans are less monogamous than some mice but rank higher than one breed of sheep, says a new study

Politicians and CEOs are muting their climate alarms. The good news is, emissions are likely to decline anyway.

DM Good evening Claude. Ready for a riddle? Good evening! Absolutely, I'm ready. I enjoy a good riddle. Go ahead! DM So, regarding our last conversation (re: our republic versus our capitalism, et al), how might the components of "friction" and "gravity" (as we humans now posit and apply those two paradigms within Pantakinesis) metaphorically relate to that conversation? Ah, what an elegant riddle! Let me think through this carefully. In our conversation about organizational

A much-hyped study in the journal Nature turns out to have been full of errors.

To get closer to his feathered neighbors, Adam Nicolson built a treehouse designed for both human and avian inhabitants.

GPS-based virtual fences clear migration corridors for wildlife while cutting costs for ranchers.

Arguments to begin today Related: President has repeatedly ousted leaders of independent agencies despite federal laws meant to shield those regulators from politics. Quick Summary The Supreme Court will hear arguments regarding President Trump’s firing of a Federal Trade Commission member, testing presidential power over agencies. The case questions the constitutionality of laws restricting presidential removal of independent agency leaders, potentially overturning a 1935 Su

Powerful images from the past 12 months

If the menhaden decline continues, striped bass could be next to vanish.

Before we can build the future, we have to imagine it. KEY TAKEAWAYS In this op-ed, Beatrice Erkers argues that progress begins with culture: the stories, symbols, and shared visions that make certain futures feel worth building. She explores how cultural forces like memes and movies act as “invisible infrastructure,” shaping technology, policy, and ambition long before they materialize in the real world. According to Erkers, we must deliberately invest in a culture of hope —

Since devoting nearly all of its profits to climate and nature in late 2022, the company has given away an extra $180 million

Qasem Waleed is a 28-year-old physicist who has lived in Gaza his whole life. In 2024, he joined a chorus of Palestinians sharing videos and pictures and writing about the chaos and violence they were living through, as Israel’s military bombardment devastated their lives. But Qasem was trying to describe his reality through the lens of the most notoriously confusing and inscrutable field of science ever, quantum mechanics. We talked to him, from a cafe near the Al-Mawasi sec

The sleek new vessel cuts emissions by 99% compared to air freight, and 90% compared to container ships.

Brookings experts weigh in

NASA’s Caleb Scharf talks with Big Think about life’s long experiment in expansion.

At this year’s climate summit, the United States is out and Europe is struggling. But emerging countries are embracing renewable energy thanks to a glut of cheap equipment.

One important lesson: Keep pressing our limits until we reach our limits Quick Summary A retired couple completed a 4,800-mile tandem bicycle trip across America, emphasizing continuous learning and challenging limits. They found that slowing down, engaging with locals, and prioritizing nine hours of sleep daily were crucial for their journey. The experience provided a fresh perspective on retirement, highlighting the generosity of Americans and reducing daily anxieties.

Soft batteries and water-walking robots are among the many creations made possible by studying animals and plants.