Surprising Science — January 27, 2011

Posture Helps Determine Status

Quit slouching—others may see you as weak! A recent study published in Psychological Science says posture plays an important role in how we perceive power in those around us.

bigthinkeditor

A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

Adam Galinsky and co-authors from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University discovered that “posture expansiveness,” or the act of taking up more space with one’s body, proved to be more effective in suggesting power than one’s hierarchical rank alone. Not only do these changes in posture reflect strongly on others—they influence your own tendencies. A more expansive posture activates power-related thought and behavior. These findings on perceived power versus role proved to be true in three separate experiments. … According to Galinsky, the role of powerful postures is important for those seeking new jobs in 2011.

A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

Amidst a backdrop of dramatic clouds, a figure reminiscent of AJ Jacobs, sporting a beard and long hair, dons a red and brown robe while holding a staff and raising their arms skyward.

Books

Why AJ Jacobs’ ‘Year of Living Biblically’ has never been more relevant

Jacobs followed the Bible as literally as possible. Here’s what he learned about God, himself, and what it means to be religious in modern-day America.

Black and white image of a classic flying saucer-shaped object in the sky, tilting to one side with a faint cloudy backdrop.

Books

Science fiction, Project Blue Book, and the beginnings of the UFO craze

In this preview from “The Saucerian,” author Gabriel McKee explains how the combination of fantastical stories and obscure bureaucracy launched the “space age of the imagination.”

Cover of "Target Earth" by Govert Schilling shows a meteor entering Earth's atmosphere, hinting at cosmic catastrophe. The book explores the world of meteorites, asteroids, and comets. Text reads "an excerpt from.

Books

How scientists unearthed the cosmic catastrophe that paved the way for humanity

If an asteroid hadn’t killed off the dinosaurs, humans would almost certainly have never walked the Earth.

People in early 20th-century attire gather outside a building, as an intriguing green geometric pattern overlays the scene. This blend of classic and modern elements evokes the innovative spirit of AI art.

High Culture

The cinematograph, the “noematograph,” and the future of AI art

Hugo-winning author Ken Liu explores what early cinema and Chinese poetry can teach us about AI’s potential as a new artistic medium.

In a futuristic setting, a medical professional in scrubs interacts with a holographic heart and data display, showcasing their understanding of AI to enhance patient care.

Business

Why all companies should think beyond Large Language Models

By looking outside the current wave of hype, we can create a framework for weighing up the practical impact of AI on any business.

Up Next

Surprising Science

Do We Know Our True Intentions?

The fallibility of eye-witness memory is well documented. But what about people’s memories of their own past intentions? This is an issue in memory research with real-life implications.