Martin Gee/Globe Staff

Are we asking the right questions?

Questions have surprising power to improve our lives, say a group of thinkers, if only we take the trouble to figure out how they work. By Leon Neyfakh

Ideas | The Word

A golden age of proverbs

Though we think of proverbs as hoary old chestnuts, a new book argues that we’re minting new ones all the time.

Uncommon Knowledge

Figure skating: more corrupt than ever?

Faith boosts willpower; men are quieter in a diverse group; high pressure leads to generic advice; and posing to show your electable side.

The Word

The Word

Dude, this headline is so meta

“Meta” has become a perfect meta-commentary on the consciously self-referential age we live in.

Uncommon Knowledge

Uncommon Knowledge

Feeling guilty? Maybe you’re a born leader

Does feeling guilty make you a leader; analytical thought hinders faith; more testosterone, less compassion; the I’m-not-a-racist effect; and do justices change their minds?

Books

Book Review

In “Engines of Change” Paul Ingrassia takes a look at iconic cars.

‘Engines of Change’ by Paul Ingrassia

In this new book, Ingrassia traces the history of some iconic cars and how those models reflected shifts in politics, culture, and technology.