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Longform Essays written by serious and creative thinkers on philosophy, psychology, science, society and culture

A small animal curled up asleep on brown moss against a black background illuminated by a spotlight.

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Biology

Could humans hibernate?

Hibernation allows many animals to time-travel from difficult times to plenty. Could humans learn how to do it too?

Vladyslav Vyazovskiy

Illustration of a child holding a shell to their ear with a bird singing on a branch amidst abstract greenery and flowers.

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Bioethics

The cochlear question

As the hearing parent of a deaf baby, I’m confronted with an agonising decision: should I give her an implant to help her hear?

Abi Stephenson

A solitary figure walking up misty stairs toward an unclear building, creating a mysterious atmosphere.

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Philosophy of science

The nature of natural laws

Physicists and philosophers today have formulated three opposing models that explain how laws work. Which is the best?

Mario Hubert

A person’s hands pouring olive oil into a row of wine glasses with people blurred in the background at a tasting event.

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Food and drink

The flavour of mechanisation

Olive oil was revered and cherished by the ancients. But its distinctive peppery taste is really a modern invention

Massimo Mazzotti

A man floating in the sea beneath a dramatic, stormy sky with large, dark clouds.

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Technology and the self

We need raw awe

In this tech-vexed age, our life on screens prevents us from experiencing the mysteries and transformative wonder of life

Kirk Schneider

People in a church with raised hands in worship, expressions of joy and devotion on their faces.

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Nations and empires

Utopia brasileira

Within less than a decade, Brazil will have as many evangelicals as Catholics, a transcendence born of the prosperity gospel

Alex Hochuli

Painting of two anthropomorphic peacocks in 18th-century attire in front of a stately home surrounded by trees.

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Beauty and aesthetics

Is beauty natural?

Charles Darwin was as fascinated by extravagant ornament in nature as Jane Austen was in culture. Did their explanations agree?

Abigail Tulenko

A sea turtle swimming underwater in clear turquoise water with sunlight shimmering on the surface.

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Philosophy of science

Elusive but everywhere

A new theory argues that unseen ‘fields’ guide all goal-directed things in the Universe, from falling rocks to voyaging turtles

Daniel W McShea & Gunnar O Babcock

Illustration of a person reading a book with glowing hot air balloons and mountains emerging from the pages.

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Physics

The city of wisdom

Don’t be intimidated by physics: it is made of stories and metaphors. Learn these and the field will open up to you

Jamie Zvirzdin

Photo of a soldier in camouflage standing on a busy market street surrounded by people and colourful fabrics.

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Nations and empires

Colonies of former colonies

India’s ongoing subjugation of Kashmir holds portentous lessons about the nature of contemporary colonialism

Hafsa Kanjwal

Black and white photo of a vintage propeller aircraft flying in a clear sky.

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Philosophy of science

The forces of chance

Social scientists cling to simple models of reality – with disastrous results. Instead they must embrace chaos theory

Brian Klaas

Painting of a man and woman in elegant 18th-century attire sitting on a pink sofa with ornate decoration.

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History of ideas

Settling accounts

Before he was famous, Jean-Jacques Rousseau was Louise Dupin’s scribe. It’s her ideas on inequality that fill his writings

Rebecca Wilkin