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

From King to Warnock: How the Ebenezer Baptist Church became a center of Black organizing

The simple reason West Virginia leads the nation in vaccinating nursing home residents

People with disabilities have been disproportionately affected by the economic impact of COVID-19

News

MLK Day 2021: What’s open? What’s closed? Who gets off?

Troubling study reveals how minor workplace slights can trigger suicidal thoughts in depressed people

Actually, Americans are feeling better than you think this winter

Co.Design

Turning trash into treasure: London Design Biennale features gorgeous pieces made from waste

In London, an experimental building houses two very different types of tenants

Architecture criticism matters more than ever, according to a critic bullied by Trump

Work Life

The 5 factors that will drive post-pandemic consumer behavior

After a string of life setbacks, here’s how I learned to rethink happiness

These are the 3 skills you need to succeed in 2021