Philip Ball
Why Nature Prefers Hexagons
The geometric rules behind fly eyes, honeycombs, and soap bubbles.
Describing People as Particles Isn’t Always a Bad Idea
Using physics to describe social phenomena can work—if it’s the right physics.
How Big Can Schrödinger’s Kittens Get?
Scientists are slowly scaling up quantum effects from atomic to human size.
Will ET Drink Water?
The intricate compatibility of water and life on Earth may not extend to other planets.
The Trouble With Scientists
How one psychologist is tackling human biases in science.
The Trouble With Scientists
How one psychologist is tackling human biases in science.
The Strange Inevitability of Evolution
Good solutions to biology’s problems are astonishingly plentiful.
The Strange Inevitability of Evolution
Good solutions to biology’s problems are astonishingly plentiful.
The Scientific Problem That Must Be Experienced
To understand turbulence we need the intuitive perspective of art.
Why Physicists Make Up Stories in the Dark
In unseen worlds, science invariably crosses paths with fantasy.