Sciences

There are measurable differences in intelligence. But how they translate into practice depends on other factors.

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When we present our beliefs as knowledge, we quickly find ourselves denying the facts. By abandoning refutability in favor of an interpretive approach, we border on the absurd, as in the case of Planned Parenthood's emphasis on pregnant men.

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Each month, we feature a column by one of the personalities who give us the pleasure of alternating between the two. Current affairs, history, politics and philosophy: former Federal Councillor Pascal Couchepin's readings.

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Mastering fusion would make it possible to reproduce the thermonuclear reactions of stars that are not at the end of their lives, where four hydrogen atoms fuse to form one helium atom. This is the physical process that generates the greatest amount of energy. Controlling it to produce electricity would be like putting the sun in a box. But is it really feasible on Earth? If so, when? And would such plants really be less dangerous in the event of an accident than fission power plants? Alessandro Casati, PhD in physics, spent four years working on various nuclear fusion projects: the major international ITER project in France and the Tokamak at EPFL in Switzerland. The specialist now works in finance, but has continued to follow advances in the field out of passion. A great advantage: he's able to give us impartial answers to our questions.

As we all know, bees are kamikazes. They die after stinging. However, we don't necessarily see the evolutionary paradox behind this behavior. Indeed, the particular case of stinging bees contravenes the general laws of evolution. We need to explain it if we are to preserve these laws.

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