Wondering
A series of random questions answered by Harvard experts.
- Arts & Culture
How to dance like somebody’s watching
Choreographer offers tips on finding release: ‘Ain’t nobody concerned if you look good’
- Health
How to take yourself less seriously
Clinical psychologist draws line between self-deprecating humor (with its health, social benefits) and self-flagellation
- Science & Tech
What are the odds of picking a perfect NCAA bracket?
Statistician explains why ‘it’s unlikely to happen in anyone’s lifetime’
- Health
Is sugar addictive?
Cravings are real, nutrition researcher says — but here’s why lumping sweets with alcohol, nicotine is a problem
- Nation & World
What makes a good teacher?
One skill — arguably the most important for educators — is also hardest to define
Is cheese bad for you?
Nutritionist explains why you’re probably eating way too much
When we say ‘smart,’ what do we mean?
Computer scientist says we should shift focus to ‘educability’
Soda is bad for you yet your body wants it. Why?
Psychiatrist explains why we crave junk food — and how to cultivate healthier eating habits
Should kids play Wordle?
Early childhood development expert has news for parents who think the popular online game will turn their children into super readers
Does your brain reflect your sex?
Precision medicine is just one field where the answer matters
Why do I like what I like?
Your preferences aren’t as original as you may think, says behavior scientist
How old is too old to run?
No such thing, specialist says — but when your body is trying to tell you something, listen
The 20-minute workout
Pressed for time? You still have plenty of options.
How to deliver very bad news
It’s hard to be a doctor. This is when it’s really hard.
How to prepare for a trip to space
Astronauts spend years training for missions. How do commercial travelers get ready?
Is organic better?
Not if you follow the evidence, researcher says
Next spat with your partner, try silence
If you’re doing all the talking, then you’re probably doing it wrong, says negotiation expert.
How to judge a painting
Do: Ask questions and keep an open mind. Don’t: Say your child could’ve made that.
Can you be close without sex?
Healthy intimate relationships vary but share one key feature, says psychologist
How to write funny
For Cora Frazier, it usually starts with deep sadness
Faster, fitter?
Not really, says Spaulding Rehab expert. When you go for a walk, focus on this instead.
Nothing that is not there and the nothing that is
You’ll never experience a black hole, but Avi Loeb can help you imagine one
Is cycling safe?
We shouldn’t take no for an answer, researcher says
The language of dreams
Proficiency, place, emotion, or something else? These late-night conversations defy easy explanation.
What’s a little envy between friends?
The feeling can eat you alive — but only if you let it
Does your dog care if you die?
Any owner would say yes. Here’s what the science says.
Should married couples live apart?
Separate takes from husband-and-wife psychiatrists on distance, drift, and how to stay connected
Why that song is stuck in your head
Brain scientist explains earworms
When will a robot write a novel?
In considering whether a robot could write a work of fiction, the computer science Krzysztof Gajos says it depends—trashy novel or a good one?