Amanda Gefter

As Einstein’s groundbreaking theory of relativity turns 100, Innovation Hub takes a look at the preeminent genius of the 20th Century. We’ll explain why Einstein was a rebel, how his work continues to shape the world around us, and what his life tells us about the nature of intelligence. Read More...

1. It's Einstein's fault that you need your phone to know where the heck you are. At least, indirectly — GPS would never have been invented without the theory of relativity, explains Hiawatha Bray of the Boston Globe.  

2. The quintessential genius of the 20th century had trouble getting a job teaching high school. Before he reached fame and success, Albert Einstein faced a whole lot of failure, according to biographer Walter Isaacson. 

3. IQ tests have been used to support the case for eugenics, and to justify thousands of sterilizations. Clinical psychologist Elaine Castles tells the history of how we measure intelligence — and why it's not all it's cracked up to be.

Amanda Gefter used to think science was boring. That was before she debated the meaning of nothing in a Chinese restaurant and snuck into a physics conference with her dad. Gefter reflects on her unusual journey towards writing about science. Read More...