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

How can we get more people to care about the climate crisis?

This is how we survive climate change

Puerto Rico could rebuild its power grid with renewables, but FEMA plans to fund fossil fuels

News

Step aside, Christopher Columbus. The second Monday in October is three other days this year

You can get a free McDonald’s ‘thank you’ breakfast this week if you’re a teacher. Here’s how

Is my Southwest flight canceled? How to check the status of your flight

Co.Design

13% of women will get breast cancer. They deserve better bras

Planet City imagines 10 billion people on just 0.02% of the Earth

The myth of the high-growth fashion startup

Work Life

Is the stellar talent you’re looking for right under your nose?

Here’s how to talk yourself down when you’re about to rage quit

How to get a promotion when working remotely