Why Diagnosing Mental Illness Is Hard: A Psychiatrist Explains

A male psychiatrist in a white coat talking to a female patient illustrates the difficulty of diagnosing mental illness

Is your brain functioning differently than usual? How can you tell if it’s a mental illness or just a temporary change? Psychiatrist Christopher M. Palmer admits that diagnosing mental illness is a complex process. It involves understanding brain function, recognizing symptoms, and considering various factors that affect mental health. Experts use different methods to identify and classify mental disorders. Read on to explore the challenges of diagnosing mental illness and the promising new approaches that could make it easier in the future.

The Climate Change Risk: Is It the End of Earth’s Delicate Balance?

A globe balanced on a teetering rock in the woods illustrates the climate change risk

Are we on the brink of an existential catastrophe due to climate change? Could rising temperatures make Earth uninhabitable? Toby Ord’s analysis in The Precipice paints a stark picture of the climate change risk. He explores feedback effects, emission projections, and potential consequences of global warming. Ord’s work investigates the alarming possibilities if temperatures continue to rise unchecked. Continue reading for a sobering look at our planet’s future and what’s at stake.

3 Types of Dystopian Futures: Toby Ord on Oppressive Societies

A sign on the side of the road in a mountainous area that says "DYSTOPIA AHEAD" illustrates dystopian futures

Are we heading toward a dystopian future? What can we learn from fictional dystopias to prevent real-world catastrophes? In The Precipice, Toby Ord writes that dystopian futures come in various forms, from enforced totalitarian regimes to unintended consequences of human actions. Writers and filmmakers have long explored these possibilities, offering insights into potential societal pitfalls. Keep reading to discover the three main types of dystopian futures and how they might unfold in our world.

3 Anthropogenic Threats to Humanity (Toby Ord’s The Precipice)

A fiery mushroom cloud from a nuclear bomb explosion illustrates anthropogenic threats to humanity

Are we on the brink of a human-made disaster? What catastrophic threats to our existence could be our own fault? Toby Ord’s book The Precipice explores the dangers posed by anthropogenic threats. He speculates on the potential consequences of nuclear weapons, climate change, and environmental damage. These human-driven risks could lead to civilization collapse or even extinction. Keep reading to get Ord’s take on these potential existential challenges.

How to Save Humanity: Strategies to Neutralize Existential Risks

A life preserver in outer space floating toward Earth illustrates how to save humanity

Are we on the brink of extinction? Can humanity be saved from existential threats? Toby Ord’s book The Precipice explores these pressing questions. He outlines potential catastrophes and offers strategies to prevent them. Ord believes we can take steps to avoid disaster and reach our full potential as a species. Read on to discover how to save humanity and secure a brighter future for generations to come.

What Is the Future of Humanity? It Depends on What We Do

The words "THE FUTURE" seen through a telescope illustrates the question, What is the future of humanity?

What is the future of humanity? Are we on the brink of disaster—or at the cusp of unprecedented progress? Toby Ord’s perspective on humanity’s potential and risks offers a thought-provoking glimpse into our species’ trajectory. He explores our remarkable achievements, technological advancements, and the looming threats that could derail our progress. Keep reading for a journey through time, technology, and the human condition as we explore what the future of humanity might hold.

Existential Threats to Humanity: Are We on the Precipice?

A globe teetering on the edge of a cliff in desert mountains illustrates existential threats to humanity

Is humanity on the brink of extinction? Can we do anything to safeguard our future? Toby Ord’s book The Precipice explores existential threats to humanity, from natural disasters to man-made catastrophes. He delves into current risks such as nuclear weapons and climate change, as well as potential future dangers such as pandemics and artificial intelligence. Keep reading for a sobering yet crucial exploration of the challenges facing humanity.

What Can We Learn From Animals? Sy Montgomery’s Experience

A scientist in a yellow jacket studying a white ermine in a field, showing what we can learn from animals

What can we learn from animals? What two animals changed Sy Montgomery’s perspective on living beings? After deciding to become a nature writer, Sy Montgomery had many experiences with animals that helped her appreciate animals and people in new ways. We’ll look at the lessons she learned from two of those animals: a pinktoe tarantula and a chicken-stealing ermine. Continue reading for the lessons animals can teach us.

The Code Breaker: Book Overview (Walter Isaacson)

A woman reading a book in a study with a strand of DNA coming out of the book.

Have you heard of CRISPR and wondered what all the fuss is about? How could this groundbreaking technology change the world as we know it? The Code Breaker, a book by Walter Isaacson, explores the fascinating world of CRISPR gene editing technology. The book lays out its development, focusing on Nobel Prize winner Jennifer Doudna’s contributions, and examines the moral quandaries and potential applications of this revolutionary scientific tool. Continue reading for an overview of this important book.

What Is CRISPR, and How Does It Work? (The Code Breaker)

What is CRISPR, and how does it work? An image of bacterial cells illustrates where this phenomenon was discovered

What is CRISPR, and how does it work? What if we could use nature’s defense mechanisms to revolutionize medicine? CRISPR, a natural biological feature found in some microorganisms, has become a powerful tool for genetic modification. Walter Isaacson’s book The Code Breaker explores its scientific background, discovery in nature, and how it functions as an antiviral defense mechanism in bacteria. Keep reading to learn what CRISPR is and how it works.