Video Lessons Dare to be Smart

Learn about the world around you through short video lessons.

The article explores the evolution of freelancing from medieval mercenaries to the modern gig economy. It discusses the origins of the term 'freelancer' and how it has evolved to describe individuals who work independently. The article also highlights the benefits and challenges of freelancing, as well as the rise of digital freelancing platforms. It concludes by emphasizing the importance of considering the pros and cons before pursuing a freelancing career.

This article explores the unique nature of friendships and the science behind them. It discusses how friendships formed during adolescence are particularly special due to changes in the brain's reward center and improvements in Theory of Mind. It also highlights the concept of interpersonal synchrony and how it contributes to the deep connections we form with our closest friends.

This article explains the science behind touchscreens, discussing the different types of touchscreens and how they work. It also explores how the human body interacts with touchscreens and the challenges of using touchscreens with wet hands or while wearing gloves.

The article explores the evolution of the Spanish language, tracing its origins back to the Roman occupation of the Iberian Peninsula and its subsequent linguistic influences from the Visigoths and the Umayyad Caliphate. It highlights the consolidation of Castilian as the official state language in 1492 and the impact of Spanish colonization in the Americas on the language. Despite its widespread use and regional variations, Spanish has managed to remain a unified language.

The article discusses the field of art conservation and highlights three cases where art conservators have successfully recovered original masterpieces that had been altered over time. The cases include uncovering the true face of a 16th-century portrait, restoring the provocative details of a Bronzino painting, and reconstructing missing sections of Rembrandt's "The Night Watch." The article emphasizes the importance of art conservators in preserving priceless artifacts for future generations.

The article discusses the emergence of Islam in the 7th century and its impact on the world. It highlights the formation of a new empire under the leadership of Prophet Muhammad, the expansion and dissent within the empire, the rise of the Umayyad Dynasty and later the Abbasid Rule, and the eventual fall of the empire. Despite its decline, the Islamic Empire left a lasting legacy through its language, religion, and intellectual ideas.

The article discusses the concept of exponential growth and its application to the global economy. It explores the necessity of economic growth for improving people's lives and raises the question of whether infinite growth is possible on a finite planet. The role of technology in increasing efficiency and the debate between infinite growth and a post-growth economy are also examined. The article concludes by emphasizing the need to find a balance between economic growth and sustainability.

The article tells the inspiring story of Phillis Wheatley, a young Black woman who was enslaved but became a renowned poet in the 18th century. Despite facing criticism and prejudice, Wheatley's work was admired by both American and European audiences, and she is considered a pioneer in African-American literature.

Agatha Christie, the best-selling novelist of all time, crafted perfect crimes in her mystery novels through her use of isolated settings, simple yet effective characterization, authenticity and balance in storytelling, the art of misdirection, and unconventional detectives. Her strategies have stumped countless readers and continue to inspire mystery writers today.

The article discusses the Boltzmann brain paradox, which is the question of whether our lives and memories are real or just illusions. It explores Ludwig Boltzmann's interpretation of entropy and his application of statistical reasoning to thermodynamics. The paradox arises in an infinitely old universe, where it is more likely for complex structures like brains to form randomly than for our current existence to be real. The resolution to the paradox lies in the Big Bang theory, but contemporary cosmologists still debate the likelihood of Boltzmann brains and their implications for the origin of the universe.

The article discusses the life cycle of conehead termites, focusing on their journey to reproduce and ensure the survival of their species. The termites brave numerous threats during their only flight, find a mate, and establish a colony in a rotting tree stump. The workers collect and decompose plant debris, the royals focus on reproduction, and the colony grows and defends itself. The termites continue their legacy by establishing new colonies and satellite nests, ensuring the persistence of their species for decades.

A study conducted by the universities of Michigan, Utah, and Zurich, involving over 17,000 front-desk workers worldwide, aimed to understand what drives honesty. The study found that people were more likely to report lost wallets when they contained money, rather than when they were empty, suggesting that self-interest may not be as powerful as previously thought and that individuals' desire to maintain a positive self-image and be seen as honest can motivate them to act honestly.

The article discusses the story of the Ring of Gyges from Plato's "Republic" and the philosophical debate it sparks between Socrates and Glaucon. The story explores the concept of justice and the temptation of power, with Glaucon arguing that people would act unjustly if given the opportunity, while Socrates believes that true justice brings both intrinsic and extrinsic benefits. The Ring of Gyges serves as a symbol of the moral dilemma faced when given the chance to act without consequence.

Scientists believe that daydreaming serves a purpose and is not a waste of time, as we spend between a third and half of our waking hours daydreaming. Daydreaming activates different brain areas, known as the default mode network, which is associated with rest, memory recall, future planning, and creative thinking. The interplay between the default mode network and the executive network, responsible for logical thinking, is crucial for creative thinking and problem-solving.

The article tells the story of Baucis and Philemon, an elderly couple who show kindness and hospitality to two strangers who turn out to be gods in disguise. As a reward for their hospitality, their humble cottage is transformed into a grand temple, and they are granted their wish to care for the temple and die together. In the end, they are transformed into trees, symbolizing their enduring love and hospitality.

Cooperatives, or co-ops, are a significant part of the global economy, employing 280 million people and handling over $2 trillion annually. Co-ops are jointly owned by their members, who can be consumers, producers, or workers, and are controlled democratically. Studies show that co-op start-ups are less likely to close within five years compared to traditional businesses, and co-op workers tend to be happier with their jobs.

The article discusses the Victorian tapeworm diet and its similarities to modern fad diets that promise rapid weight loss. It compares the approaches of two hypothetical twins, one aiming for slow weight loss through a gradual reduction in calorie intake and increased exercise, and the other opting for drastic calorie restriction. The article highlights the negative impacts of extreme diets and emphasizes the importance of adopting a sustainable and healthy lifestyle instead.

A year ago, scientists discovered an underground city on Mars, providing evidence of intelligent alien life. However, they lost contact with Earth and are now facing a water shortage. They have uncovered clues in the city's pyramids about how the ancient civilization survived, including a lever that could bring water back to the surface, but the location of the lever remains a mystery. The scientists now face the decision of whether or not to pull the lever and potentially save their lives.

This article tells the tale of Perseus, Pegasus, and Bellerophon from Greek mythology. Perseus decapitated Medusa, giving birth to Chrysaor and Pegasus. Bellerophon tamed Pegasus with a magical bridle and embarked on a journey to become a legendary hero, but his ambition led to his downfall while Pegasus ascended to Mount Olympus and became a constellation.

The article discusses the psychology behind forbidden desires, focusing on reactance theory and the social network effect. Reactance theory explains our urge to do the exact thing we've been warned against when our freedom is threatened, while the social network effect suggests that the long-term success of romantic relationships is influenced by the approval or disapproval of friends and family. The article concludes by highlighting the importance of understanding the balance between the need for independence and the need for social approval in human behavior.

The article discusses the evolution of the US power grid over the past five decades. It highlights the delicate balance required to maintain the functioning of power grids and the role of power grid operators in managing this balance. The article also explores the challenges of integrating intermittent energy sources and suggests load flexibility and automated emissions reduction technologies as potential solutions for the future of power grids.

The article discusses wealth inequality in South Africa and explores the question of whether inequality is inevitable. It explains the use of the Gini index to measure inequality and highlights the limitations of this measure. The article also examines the role of government choices and economic systems in contributing to inequality, and discusses ways to reduce inequality, such as progressive taxes, transfers, and access to services. It concludes by emphasizing the global divide in wealth and power and the need to weaken the feedback loops that perpetuate inequality.

The article discusses the construction of the Great Pyramid of Pharaoh Khufu. It highlights the immense effort and labor that went into building the pyramid, including the use of a large workforce, the quarrying of limestone and granite, and the construction techniques employed. The article also mentions the interior of the pyramid and the use of granite for support beams, as well as the completion of the structure with a polished white limestone exterior and a capstone.

The article discusses the concept of intelligence and the idea of being "smart" at different ages. It explains that different skills and abilities develop at different stages of life, and there is no single age that can be considered the smartest. The author concludes that having an age-diverse team is a good strategy for the Brain Clash competition.

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