How the wisdom of crowds could solve the mystery of Shakespeare's 'lost plays'

Apr 14, 2016 15:33 pm UTC| Insights & Views Economy

Are the many wiser than the few? Are the masses cleverer than the expert? This is a question which has in recent years attracted an explosion of interest, perhaps most famously popularised by James Surowieckis 2004 book,...

Fundamental Evaluation Series

'Helicopter money' – why economists are now thinking the unthinkable

Apr 14, 2016 15:27 pm UTC| Insights & Views Economy Central Banks

For the 85th month in a row, the Bank of England has voted to keep interest rates at a low of 0.5%. Along with the European Central Bank and US Federal Reserve, it remains wedded to the idea that low interest rates,...

Led Zeppelin, plagiarism, and why we should be worried about the future of music

Apr 14, 2016 15:16 pm UTC| Insights & Views Law Entertainment

Led Zeppelins Robert Plant and Jimmy Page will soon face a jury trial in order to determine whether they copied the opening chords for their 1971 classic Stairway to Heaven from the song Taurus, recorded by the...

Climate Change Series

Delaying shutting power stations will bring big disruption later: Climate Institute research

Apr 14, 2016 15:09 pm UTC| Insights & Views Nature

Modelling done for the Climate Institute indicates that without big policy changes Australias path to zero emissions from the electricity sector by 2050 would mean huge disruption after 2030. The report, A Switch in...

Octopuses are super-smart ... but are they conscious?

Apr 14, 2016 15:07 pm UTC| Insights & Views Nature

Inky the wild octopus has escaped from the New Zealand National Aquarium. Apparently, he made it out of a small opening in his tank, and suction cup prints indicate he found his way to a drain pipe that emptied to the...

Briferendum Series

Choice of Vote Leave as lead Brexit group paves way for legitimacy questions

Apr 14, 2016 14:59 pm UTC| Insights & Views Politics

The Electoral Commission has selected Vote Leave as one of the two lead campaigns in the European referendum. The nature and circumstance of this decision have highlighted the complexities associated with exercises in...

How cults exploit one of our most basic psychological urges

Apr 14, 2016 14:56 pm UTC| Insights & Views Life

The new Hulu TV series The Path described by Time as the streaming services best show yet centers on a cult-like faith, Meyerism, whose adherents seek fulfillment under the guidance of their leader, Cal. As pure...