Eric Jaffe

Eric Jaffe is an editor at CityLab, where he writes about transportation, history, and behavioral science, among other topics, through the lens of urban life. He's also the author of The King's Best Highway (2010) and A Curious Madness (2014). Follow him on Twitter.

Innovation By Design

Hard Work Is Overrated

People say they love hard workers but they really love natural talent–a bias with troubling implications when it comes to hiring.

Hard Work Is Overrated

Study: Shared Office Coffee Machines Are As Gross As You’d Think

Assuming you don’t love rapid bacterial colonization.

Study: Shared Office Coffee Machines Are As Gross As You’d Think

Innovation By Design

How To Take The Most Refreshing Work Break: 7 Evidence-Backed Insights

Is Your E-Signature Making You A Liar?

It just might be, according to this clever series of tests, unless designers have a say.

Is Your E-Signature Making You A Liar?

The Dark Side Of Taking Credit For Your Work

Innovation By Design

Why Offices Full Of Ping-Pong Tables And Video Games Might Be Onto Something

Innovation By Design

Why Do We Like Brands As Much As We Like People?

Innovation By Design

Morning People Vs. Night Owls: 9 Insights Backed By Science

Innovation By Design

Everything Science Knows Right Now About Standing Desks

Innovation By Design

Procrastination Is Literally Killing You

“I’ll just read this article a little later.”

Procrastination Is Literally Killing You

Innovation By Design

Why Our Brains Love High Ceilings

Innovation By Design

How Impulsiveness Can Boost Your Creativity

The key may lie in a belief that slightly negative traits have silver linings.

How Impulsiveness Can Boost Your Creativity

Innovation By Design

Are We Designing Nutrition Labels All Wrong?

One recent study says yes—and offers a better way forward.

Are We Designing Nutrition Labels All Wrong?

Innovation By Design

A Scientific Ranking Of The Sexiest Types Of Creativity

What’s hotter, playing in a band or building websites? Science weighs in.

A Scientific Ranking Of The Sexiest Types Of Creativity

Innovation By Design

This Addictive Game Could Save You Money On Your Next Utility Bill

It worked for some PG&E households in California.

This Addictive Game Could Save You Money On Your Next Utility Bill

The Biased Way Leaders Delegate Power

A new study documents yet another hidden barrier to workplace equality.

The Biased Way Leaders Delegate Power

Would A Shorter Work Week Really Make Employees Happier?

Innovation By Design

How A Forgetful Mind Can Be A More Creative Mind

Innovation By Design

The Science Of Politely Ending A Conversation

Science Confirms It: Your Crappy Boss Is Making You Unhappy

Impact

To keep the lights on during California’s blackouts, people are using solar power

Bill Gates thinks these 3 factors will drive global health

The world’s mayors are calling for a Global Green New Deal

Creativity

Disney is using AI developed by Geena Davis to correct gender bias and lack of inclusivity in scripts

This new Skittles Halloween ad is a metaphor for our weird relationship with brands

The internet’s kangaroo court has sentenced Matt Gaetz to be mocked for his Captain Kangaroo zinger

Co.Design

This magnetic wallpaper won Etsy’s first global design competition

This eerie light sculpture will float in the Hudson River until 2020

Most people don’t understand privacy, and that’s a huge opportunity for design

Work Life

Yes, gratitude really does help you live a better life (and be a better person)

This is what is riding on the Supreme Court’s decision on sex discrimination

2 ways to learn the unspoken rules at a company before accepting a job