The magic mind children lose when they become adults
+ Pandemic Feels, Smart-ish cities, Mirror Magic (#344)
1. Why adults lose the «beginner’s mind»
We tend to think of children’s brains as yet to be fully developed versions of adult brains (as a father of two small kids, I can confirm that it definitely feels like this). This hour-long interview with psychologist and philosopher Alison Gopnik gave me a new perspective. Children’s brains have some unique capabilities that fade in adults and that artificial intelligence can learn from. Newsletter writer’s adult mind: blown. Listen to it now.
2. What scientific term or concept ought to be more widely known?
Sometimes re-discoveries are the best. This is from the 2017 Edge question, a series that sadly was discontinued a year later. More than two hundred bright minds on the one scientific concept that they wished more people knew about. A treasure trove of intellectual stimulation. Start exploring.
3. ‘Smart’ Cities Are Surveilled Cities
Foreign Policy on the dark sides of «smart cities». 1. «Smart» is increasingly simply a euphemism for surveillan…