When Fear Makes Us Superhuman

The following is an excerpt from Extreme Fear: The Science of Your Mind in Danger by Jeff Wise, published on December 8 by Palgrave Macmillan (Scientific American is a Macmillan publication). Extreme Fear explores the neural underpinnings of this powerful and primitive emotion by relating instances in which people were forced to act under duress and presenting the latest findings from cognitive science. In the following passage from the chapter
entitled "Superhuman" a seemingly ordinary man performs an extraordinary feat of strength to rescue a cyclist who has been run over by a car.

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Via: Scientific American

The End of a Beautiful Friendship: Houdini and Arthur Conan Doyle

It seems strange that a man best known for creating the quintessential detective, who based his deductions solely on reason, would also be one of the biggest proponents of Spiritualism around the turn of the last century. Equally strange is that a man who based his career of performing illusions and magic tricks was one of the most stringent disbelievers of the same religion. Perhaps strangest of all was the friendship of these two men, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Harry Houdini.

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Via: Neatorama

10 Trailblazing Scientists About to Change Your Future

1. Erich Jarvis, Neurobiologist
2. Nathan Wolfe, Epidemiologist
3. Emily Oster, Economist
4. Hiroshi Ishiguro, Roboticist
5. Jeffrey H. Schwartz, Forensic Anthropologist
6. Pardis Sabeti, Biological Anthropologist
7. Thomas A. Jackson, Aerospace Engineer
8. Sebastian Thrun, Probabilistic Roboticist
9. Nima Arkani-Hamed, Particle Physicist and Applied String Theorist
10. Margaret Turnbull, Astrobiologist

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Via: Mental Floss

Seven Psychological Principles Con Artists Exploit

Inherent human vulnerabilities need to be taken into account when designing security systems/processes, suggests a study that looks at a dozen confidence tricks from the UK TV show The Real Hustle to determine recurring behavioural patterns con artists use to exploit victims.

The study was a collaboration between Frank Stajano of the University of Cambridge Computer Laboratory and Paul Wilson, writer and producer of the aforementioned TV show (Wilson was an IT consultant for twelve years before moving into entertainment).

The seven principles of human behaviour that con artists exploit, according to the article:

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Via: Lone Gunman

Five Modern Technologies That Might Not Be So Modern

We think we live in such modern times, with fabulous inventions that make our lives easier and provide great convenience. But some of those inventions might not be as modern as we think. Take a look at these five inventions that may have been around for thousands of years before we “invented” them.

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Via: Neatorama

Getting To Know Nostradamus

These days, everyone’s heard of Michel de Nostredame, better known as Nostradamus, but most people just know that he was one of the most famous seers in history. Most people don’t really know about his specific predictions, his life or why he’s so famous. To help clear the air and to celebrate Nostradamus’ December 14 birthday, here’s a bit of info on the most famous psychic in history.

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Via: Neatorama