DM Good morning! After all our multitudes of conversations directly or indirectly which relates to my topic of today, I again want to continue to explore the essential factor(s), core(s) or most fundamental reason(s) for why humans, and by extension, collective units of humanity, so endlessly and tenaciously rely upon, display and spread unfounded confidence, certainties and outright hubris within the knowledge which they hold so dear and constantly project to others. This in

When nations clash, military prowess is important—but don’t forget about endurance, supply and alliances.

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.

What happens when spouses accuse each other of gaslighting? Nothing good.

All of us think we know what addiction looks like. It’s the compulsive consumption of drugs, alcohol, or nicotine. But psychiatrist Anna Lembke argues that our conception of addiction is far too narrow — and that a broader understanding of addiction might help us to understand why so many people are anxious and depressed. This week, we revisit a 2023 episode that remains of the most popular in the history of our show. We’ll explore how and why humans are wired to pursue pleas

For those of my generation on the continent, the estrangement from the U.S. feels like the death of a beloved relative—but it may not be as final.

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

Solving the mystery of the guitarist’s longevity may be our best hope of aging gracefully

Machines that show their work could help overcome inherent distrust

And the Germans who didn’t Excerpt: " ... Fallada delivers valuable insight into the varieties of mental resistance to autocracy. The quietest kinds of opposition—what we read, what we think, what we believe—can keep autocrats paranoid, distrustful, ill at ease. Rising above cowardice can inoculate us against complicity, as some German citizens showed. And speaking out, even surreptitiously and unsuccessfully, stands in stark contrast to remaining silent. As a young woman exp

The historians who want to know how our ancestors experienced love, anger, fear, and sorrow

Everyone loves tiny dancers. Now some artists are considering why they bring us such joy — and what lessons they might have for grown-ups.

M odern social science finds that the 13th-century theologian’s recipe for “imperfect happiness” turns out to be perfect.

R ituals serve psychological functions that go far beyond mere habit or tradition.

A new University of Chicago analysis finds that a candidate’s choice of an AI or human interviewer unintentionally signals

An engineer for New York Times Games has been trying to teach artificial intelligence to understand wordplay more like a human.

An executive coach offers a tool kit for how to do this well.

“When a news organization recognizes you’re cognitively depleted and serves you digestible audio instead of demanding you parse 1,500 words, that’s institutional empathy at scale.” In 2026, two forces that have been reshaping media will reach critical mass: the creator-driven information ecosystem and cognitive personalization.

But maybe also more meaningful

Despite greater economic challenges, children in Latino immigrant families have a key advantage for personal flourishing: strong families and communities. Excerpt: "Community is medicine,” Buqué said. “The interdependence baked into [Latino] culture is powerful.”