Surprising Science — March 25, 2014

Superfluid Appears to Defy Gravity

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In the 1930s, scientists were baffled by liquid helium, which, at extremely low temperatures, exhibited strange behaviors. Learn more about this amazing superfluid by watching this short video clip from BBCFour:

Image credit: JoeFutrelle/Flickr

The most surprising and impactful new stories delivered to your inbox every week, for free.

The image features the phrase "an excerpt from" on a red background next to the book cover of "Playful" by Cas Holman with Lydia Denworth, highlighting insights from play research.

Books

More than a game: How play helps wire our social brains

In this excerpt from “Playful,” Cas Holman surveys the research that brought the neuroscience of play into the mainstream.

A close-up of a spotted nudibranch with translucent, pointed cerata on a brown underwater branch against a black background, inviting reflection on the intricate nature of consciousness in marine life.

Books

What sea slugs can teach us about the nature of consciousness

In this excerpt from “One Hand Clapping,” Nikolay Kukushkin makes the case that neurons reveal how memory, meaning, and even consciousness emerge from the same biological roots in humans, sea slugs, and beyond.

A detailed black and white illustration of a toad on a green background, with the word "Car" written below it.

The Well

Even AI is self-censoring. Here’s why that matters.

If the people controlling AI are biased, the output will also be. Free speech scholar Jacob Mchangama makes the case for completely open-source AI.

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Jacob Mchangama

Books

How to navigate the hidden economics of waiting in line

In this excerpt from “Lucky By Design,” Judd Kessler explains how opportunity costs shape our choices and why time is the real price we pay.

A book cover titled "All That We See or Seem" by Ken Liu rests on a light background, beside text reading "an excerpt from" on a vibrant purple background.

Books

“All That We See or Seem”: A novel by Ken Liu

A preview of the latest novel by the Hugo- and Nebula-winning author.

Up Next

Surprising Science

Throwing a Boomerang in Space

What happens when you throw a boomerang in zero gravity? Japanese astronaut Takao Doi demonstrates on the International Space Station: Image credit: popofatticus/Flickr