Can an organ transplant really change someone’s personality?

Changes in personality following a heart transplant have been noted pretty much ever since transplants began. In one case, a person who hated classical music developed...

As humans, we all want self-respect – and keeping that in mind might be the missing ingredient when you try to change someone’s mind

Why is persuasion so hard, even when you have facts on your side? As a philosopher, I’m especially interested in persuasion – not just how to...

Can this thumb test tell if you are at increased risk of a hidden aortic aneurysm?

Radical Optimism is Dua Lipa’s philosophy for dealing with life’s chaos – but radical openness is a better approach

  In a teaser video for her third album, Radical Optimism, Dua Lipa explained that every track has that “through-the-struggle-you-are-going-to-make-it” optimistic feeling. She has also said...

Do we really need to burp babies? Here’s what the research says

Parents are often advised to burp their babies after feeding them. Some people think burping after feeding is important to reduce or prevent discomfort crying, or...

Job scams are on the rise. What are they, and how can you protect yourself?

Clem Onojeghuo/Unsplash   In the digital era, the job market is increasingly becoming a minefield – demanding and difficult to navigate. According to the Australian Bureau...

Curious Kids: how do sugar rushes work?

Victoria Rodriguez/Unsplash   How do sugar rushes work? – W.H, age nine, from Canberra What a terrific question W.H! Let’s explore this, starting with some of...

Ghosted, orbited, breadcrumbed? A psychotherapist breaks down some perils of digital dating and how to cope

Buzzwords describing the digital dating scene are all over social media. Have you been ghosted? Is someone orbiting you? Are you being breadcrumbed? While these dating...

Have smartphones created an ‘anxious generation’? Jonathan Haidt sounds the alarm

The social psychologist Jonathan Haidt’s new book The Anxious Generation delivers an urgent call for action. Haidt argues that the evidence is in. Teenagers’ widespread use...

Will checking character references really help you find the best candidate for a job?

Finding the best person to fill a position can be tough, from drafting a job ad to producing a shortlist of top interview candidates. Employers typically...