Innovation Hub

Surprised by the election? Us too. Psychologist Mahzarin Banaji thinks our unconscious biases might explain the difference between the public’s expectations and the results.

There are things you should be very afraid of. According to security expert Juliette Kayyem, terrorism isn’t one of them. But science writer Annalee Newitz tells us that mass extinction is. Plus, our seeds are becoming less diverse. Conservationist Cary Fowler says this is something you should care about, if you consider eating crucial to your health.

Afraid of the apocalypse? Well, maybe you shouldn’t worry too much. The Earth has already gone through at least five.

It’s very unlikely that you will be killed by a far-off terrorist group. So why do we worry about it so much? National security expert Juliette Kayyem explains what we should - and shouldn’t - be afraid of.

Cary Fowler thinks we might be in trouble. But he’s got a solution. A tiny, tiny solution.

That quick glance at Facebook… it’s kind of a big deal. Professor Cal Newport says it can significantly derail your train of thought for about 10 minutes. Plus, Immigration may be a contentious issue in this election, but immigrants are absolutely essential to our economic success. Cabinet member Maria Contreras-Sweet explains. And finally, economist Robert Frank talks love, money, and happiness.

Robert Propst was a brilliant inventor who wanted to make a better office. Instead, he created something he hated.

According to researcher Brittany Solomon, there’s one personality trait in a husband or wife that can predict success for their spouse: conscientiousness.

Do you remember your first job? Odds are, it was with a local small business. One of President Obama’s cabinet members talks small businesses, immigration, and jobs.

Think glancing at Facebook isn’t a big deal? Well, Cal Newport says it can significantly derail your train of thought for about 10 minutes.

How do money and happiness intersect when it comes to finding a job? Economist Robert Frank thinks he might have the answer.

Are you really, really tired of this election? Well, maybe democracy isn’t the best form of government. Plus, teenagers are… hard to understand. Neurology professor Frances Jensen says it’s all because of their still-developing brains. And finally, what if campaigns aren’t as important as you thought?

It seems like every election is a high-wire race whose outcome is always in doubt. But what if campaigns weren’t as important as you thought?

Thinking about this election kinda makes you wonder: is there a better system than democracy? Jason Brennan thinks there should be.

Why can’t you get your teen out of bed in the morning? Why are they so impulsive? Frances Jensen says their still-developing brains are to blame.

Even if you don’t know an Allen wrench from an isosceles triangle, we’ve got a show for you. From why high school math is overrated to why you aren’t able to repair your iPhone, here are some of our best conversations about the fun side of our technical world.

Healthcare in our society needs a band-aid. Here are a few of our favorite conversations about the big challenges in health – and how we might fix them.

There was a battle for the soul of Silicon Valley, and the libertarians won. Investing legend Roger McNamee talks about how the tech world has changed - and why that could slow future progress. Then, Sasha Issenberg tells us how campaigns are using data to make sure their candidate wins. And finally, Pokemon Go may or may not be a fad… but augmented reality will change the way we see the world.