Reading

A new study showed that patients taking sugar pills knowingly still experienced positive effects compared to a control group.

David Friedman shares a conjecture that behavioral economics could be key to understanding macroeconomics, such as business cycles, even if it doesn't impact microeconomics much.

via Ideas

WIRED offers the latest news and insights on technology, science, culture, and business. via WIRED

Steve Landsburg poses a mathematical puzzle about population sex ratios, asking readers to determine the expected percentage of females in a population with a specific family planning approach. via The Big Questions: Tackling the Problems of Philosophy with Ideas from Mathematics, Economics, and Physics

Jonah Lehrer's article, "The Truth Wears Off," explores the concerning trend of scientists struggling to replicate experimental results, particularly in medicine. via ThinkMarkets.

16 Ways to Avoid Getting Caught Reading at Work offers lists of creative and funny methods to sneak in some reading time.

Robin Hanson's blog post "How Hopeless A PhD?" analyzes whether an article titled "The disposable academic" would influence one's estimation of becoming a professor. Read the full post here.

via Overcoming Bias.

This article challenges the universality of social science findings, arguing that oversampling from "WEIRD" (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic) societies skews results. via Freakonomics

WIRED offers the latest news and insights on technology, science, culture, and business. via WIRED

Bryan Caplan argues that open borders are a vital part of free markets and human liberty.

Bethany McLean's "The Bank Job" examines the gap between how Goldman Sachs views itself and its public perception. via Longform

Robin Hanson's blog post questions why we admire fictional characters who enjoy stories, suggesting that if we find inspiration in narratives, our heroes should logically do the same.

via Overcoming Bias.