Think like a scientist: The power of a scientific mindset
Imagine approaching the world with curiosity and a desire to understand how things work. This is the core of a scientific mindset, a way of thinking that allows you to…
Avoid false equivalence: You can critique Elon Musk without derailing the discourse
I don't care much for Elon Musk. There. I got the mandatory mantra out of the way before stating the following: As far as I know, some people have unjustly…
Falling for fallacies: the differences you need to know between formal and informal reasoning errors
How do you stay sane with the daily bombardment of arguments? From the gossiping neighbor cutting the hedge to the politician who reaches out just before the elections. Advertisers seek…
Observe, test, reflect: A better life with the scientific method
It's safe to say the scientific method is one of the main pillars of science, which helps researchers understand our complex world. In simple terms, the scientific method structures the…
Activate your inner researcher, embrace critique, and get a belt
I recently defended my PhD thesis and got grilled… or did I? Why pretend? I was shaky at first. My thoughts were all over the place, and my 10-min presentation…
Brandolini’s law: why you struggle to refute BS (and how to solve it)
I sometimes find myself in discussions, unable to counter highly doubtful statements that I feel I should be able to debunk. There—I said it. But how about you? You've probably…
Do you challenge your idols as you should?
“Listen to me, don’t believe me. Trust but verify.” A former UN weapons inspector’s final remarks during an interview got me thinking almost as much as his interview. I consider…
Back on track but with a slightly different format
Alright. She’s been giving me the evil eye and judging me for too long now. It’s time to pick her off the floor. It’s time to dust off the dandruff-covered…
The Gattaca movie: when your valuable genes get abused
Even an optimist beyond saving like me can sometimes get the shivers from a dystopian science fiction portrayal of the potential dangers of genetics, especially if they are realistic, like…
Bad breath created by Quinn Dombrowski https://www.flickr.com/photos/quinnanya/35984024324/ (CC BY-SA 2.0)
How long does the coronavirus last in the air? The latest you need to know
Although I’m happy they finally let us out for an hour a day in our part of the world, I’m sick of wearing a surgical mask whenever I go out…