Head in the Cloud

Bias

A Better Way to Hire

William Poundstone on July 14, 2021

Can hiring eliminate structural bias? Games that job-seekers play on their phones may be part of the answer.

Can hiring eliminate structural bias? Games that job-seekers play on their phones may be part of the answer.

President Donald Trump

The Dunning-Kruger President

William Poundstone on January 21, 2017

The Internet is calling Donald Trump the Dunning-Kruger President. Here's the research behind the term.

The Internet is calling Donald Trump the Dunning-Kruger President. Here's the research behind the term.

Media

A Brief History of Fake News

William Poundstone on November 22, 2016

Mark Zuckerberg wants to get fake news off Facebook, but it won't be easy. "Obviously a joke" is in the eye of the beholder.

Mark Zuckerberg wants to get fake news off Facebook, but it won't be easy. "Obviously a joke" is in the eye of the beholder.

Health

Four Words Americans Don't Understand

William Poundstone on November 11, 2016

Eighty percent of the public hasn't a clue what a PPO is. But there's a way to make health insurance policies simpler.

Eighty percent of the public hasn't a clue what a PPO is. But there's a way to make health insurance policies simpler.

Attention

Peace Through Ignorance?

William Poundstone on October 5, 2016

Americans don't know much geography, and maybe that's a good thing, suggests Presidential candidate Gary Johnson.

Americans don't know much geography, and maybe that's a good thing, suggests Presidential candidate Gary Johnson.

Aging

Taste Freeze

William Poundstone on September 20, 2016

Mom jeans, dad bod, and taste freeze? Data show that we stop listening to new pop music after the age of 33.

Mom jeans, dad bod, and taste freeze? Data show that we stop listening to new pop music after the age of 33.

Intelligence

The "Dumbing Down" of America: Real or Not?

William Poundstone on August 15, 2016

Think people are ignorant nowadays? Take this quiz from the 1940s.

Think people are ignorant nowadays? Take this quiz from the 1940s.

Environment

The Icecap Riddle

William Poundstone on August 1, 2016

A riddle shows how political convictions can be disconnected from facts.

A riddle shows how political convictions can be disconnected from facts.

Ethics and Morality

Plagiarism and Google

William Poundstone on July 19, 2016

Is there an epidemic of celebrity cribbing—or does it just seem that way?

Is there an epidemic of celebrity cribbing—or does it just seem that way?

Unconscious

Do Misspelled Menus Matter?

William Poundstone on July 12, 2016

Has texting made proper spelling obsolete? A survey shows that spelling and grammar really don't matter on menus.

Has texting made proper spelling obsolete? A survey shows that spelling and grammar really don't matter on menus.

Media

Confused Britons Ask Google: "What Is the EU?"

William Poundstone on June 24, 2016

Voters need to know the issues to make wise choices. Digital tools show how uninformed many are.

Voters need to know the issues to make wise choices. Digital tools show how uninformed many are.

Media

Throwing Darts at the Ballot

William Poundstone on June 1, 2016

The average American can name only 6 of his or her elected representatives.

The average American can name only 6 of his or her elected representatives.

Education

The Border Fence Principle

William Poundstone on May 18, 2016

9% of Americans don't know what country New Mexico is in. Those who are bad at geography are more likely to favor building a border fence.

9% of Americans don't know what country New Mexico is in. Those who are bad at geography are more likely to favor building a border fence.