Books in brief: A history of plaster; Einstein for the general reader; influencers’ literary antecedents
Reviews of new works by Alain Corbin, Diana Kormos Buchwald and Michael D Gordin, and Nicola Wilson
Albert Einstein
Read more articles about Albert Einstein, the German-born physicist best known for developing the theory of relativity
Embracing infinity: could surreal numbers shape the future of physics?
Perhaps physicists should embrace infinity instead of trying to banish it from their theories
Will physics ever explain consciousness?
We may be pushing physicalism too far in asking it to account for the mind, as this ignores the primacy of perception
The creative sweet spot: you can find it in your (very early) sleep
Research shows accessing a hypnagogic state as you drift into sleep can unlock creativity
Learning with dyspraxia: ‘I finally got a reason for my clumsy nature’
Biggest challenges for young people with condition are usually in school
Hirschfeld and early rights activism
German doctor studied gender and sexuality and coined ‘transsexual’ term in 1920s
Lifting of restrictions in Ireland greeted as vindication by those who refused vaccine
‘I was called an anti-vaxxer, and I took exception to that. My children are vaccinated’
Doomsday Clock remains at 100 seconds to midnight as world faces ‘dangerous moment’
Climate threats among reasons time is set at its closest-ever point to global catastrophe
Pele returns to hospital in Brazil for more colon tumour treatment
Three-time World Cup winner expected to be discharged in coming days
Fintan O’Toole: Boris Johnson is running out of people to betray
Ireland’s pact with the British prime minister on the North was a deal with a deceitful cheat
Did death cheat Stephen Hawking of a Nobel Prize?
Black holes behave as the physicist predicted. But the ultimate award is beyond his reach
Einstein’s theory of relativity: Handwritten calculations to be auctioned for €3m
Manuscript is ‘a fascinating dive into the mind of the greatest scientist of the 20th century’
New film pushes Japan to confront a wartime taboo
Tokyo Letter: Gift of Fire tells the story of Japan’s efforts to build a nuclear bomb
Pandemic has highlighted our interconnectedness as one global family
The virus has taught us that as long as one person is at risk, we are all at risk
The Irish Times view on a Swiss breakthough: Pi precisely ... ish
Pi provides a constant mathematic conundrum
The story of Britney Spears is a classic fairy tale
From childhood we are inured to fables about females having their powers taken away
Wales through to knockout stages despite defeat in Rome
It was an outcome that suited both teams, even if Ampadu’s red card will rankle
Portmarnock’s decision could lead to future hosting of Open Championship
After 127 years an overwhelming majority vote in favour of opening membership to women
How does Santa deliver billions of gifts in one night? Quantum physics . . .
TCD scientists speculate Santa uses ‘macroscopic superposition’ to be in many places simultaneously on Christmas Eve
Fostering inventiveness is critical for society
Human success depends on our ability to co-operate and organise while technology makes life easier
NPHET reaches for the sledgehammer as Irish Covid-19 fight hits impasse
Analysis: Officials need to explain what second lockdown would change if public accept more heavy restrictions
Truth as commodity: History warns us to watch out in wake of Covid-19 vaccine
After Weimar-like exuberance will come Covid-19 scapegoating and ongoing lies
Computing poised to make quantum leap
Quantum computers could perform billions of times faster than current supercomputer
The world on a string – a primer
String theory is beautifully explained by Brian Greene in The Elegant Universe
Cornelius Lanczos: Inspired by Hamilton’s quaternions
That’s Maths: Influential Hungarian took up position in Dias in 1954
Inspiring educators: How coronavirus has given us a new appreciation of teachers
Many of us see the levels of patience, persistence and personal attention that goes into the role of an educator
Matt Williams: To stop rugby going south, teams could simply go south
Australia and New Zealand are perfectly placed to help the rugby phoenix rise again
Unprepossessing Joe Biden has a great chance to make his mark on history
Janan Ganesh: Little was expected from US president Harry Truman but he proved a surprise
Dead white men: What have they ever done for us?
William Reville: We have good reason to be proud of our European heritage
Matt Williams: There will be nothing new in how Ireland will dominate Scotland
Andy Farrell knows tight-five domination will lay platform for more expansive game
Dire economic straits fuel protests throughout Lebanon
Baalbek Letter: Penal charges for internet service push people out on to the streets
Crosswords & Puzzles
Crosswords & puzzles to keep you challenged and entertained
Common Ground
How does a post-Brexit world shape the identity and relationship of these islands
The GlossOpens in new window
Read the digital edition of The Gloss magazine now
Family NoticesOpens in new window
Weddings, Births, Deaths and other family notices