STAR STRUCK The psychology of our celebrity obsession

Our modern obsession with celebrities may be the result of evolution, scientists say. We delve deep into human psychology to answer the question: Why do we care about the lives of the rich and famous? You may dismiss celebrity gossip as harmless fun, but it may be not only be deeply ingrained in the human psyche - it may even be good for you, as Erica Harrison discovers.
|
|
OTHER FEATURES

STAR MAKERS
A hyper-advanced civilisation may command such unimaginable power that it can fashion worlds and consume whole suns. But it would still be bound by the laws of physics, Michio Kaku reveals.

FLIGHTS OF FANCY
Soaring above the jungles of Guyana, a prototype airship takes its first flight, reviving a technology from a more genteel age of travel and exploration. Margaret Wertheim takes flight.

LUST FOR LIFE
A vet, zoologist, reproductive biologist - Roger Short has been a success in many fields, but it's his infectious zeal to change the world that excites his students. By Elizabeth Finkel.

RED TIDE
Every year, more than 60 million crabs migrate from the forests of Christmas Island to the shores of the Indian Ocean, an unstoppable scuttling tide that closes roads and invades homes. Cristy Burne ventures onto the island of crabs.
REGULAR SECTIONS
FIRST PERSON
Not many people survive being on top of an erupting volcano but New Zealand vulcanologist Peter Otway has a great story for his grandkids, as he tells Kim Griggs.
PORTRAIT
Many people think of tuna and swordfish as fillets on a plate, but Queensland marine biologist Kerstin Fritsches would prefer they were recognised as fascinating ocean predators.
EXPRESS
The news stories everyone else missed. Edited by Be Bonham.
GALLERY
Nikon's "Small World" competition celebrates the world's best images from microphotography.
DESIGN
A device that directly enters your handwritten scrawl into your computer has been the dream for gadget manufacturers for years. Anneloes van Gaalen ponders whether they've finally cracked it.
BODY
Bats are far from benign; Graeme O'Neill describes how they are riddled with diseases that are increasingly jumping to humans.
DIAGNOSIS
Rob Moodie explores the history of contagious follicular keratosis, a disease that can form hornlike growths in the skin.
SOCIETY
It may seem like mayhem to you, but organising simple daily tasks follows a predictable mathematical pattern, Philip Ball explains.
BIOSPHERE
Compared to the X-chromosome, the Y-chromosome is tiny. Bob Beale investigates if this essence of maleness could one day disappear.
MENAGERIE
An unexpected "boo!" and these goats topple over. Kate Holdsworth profiles Tennessee fainting goats.
SPACE
A European mission to Mars has found strong evidence of water close to the surface, Richard Ingham reports.
ART
Rochelle Christian witnesses one New Zealand artist's electrifying show.
TIME TUNNEL
Once the aircraft of choice for the elite, the Concorde is now history. Tom Gordon tells its story.
FICTION
Alistair was a talented student of physics who applied his analytical talents to turning a large profit. Original fiction by Australia's Andrew Sullivan.
WORLD
India's clinical research industry is booming because its poor are lining up to earn a good living as human guinea pigs, Jay Shankar says.
PRÊT-À-PORTER
Technology that's ready to wear. Edited by our resident technophile, Tim Dean.
SPOTLIGHT
Digital photography is coming of age. A device is available to suit all types. Some favourites selected by Tim Dean.
OMNIVORE
Reviews of the latest books, DVDs and television programs. Edited by the omniscient Bob Guntrip.
STOP PRESS
The wars of Wells. A retrospective of science fiction luminary H.G. Wells to celebrate the DVD release of Spielberg's War of the Worlds.
EVENT HORIZON
COSMOS's guide to science events for February around Australia and New Zealand. Edited by our U.S. import Amber Birkhimer.
PANDORA
Featuring the Cosmos trivia quiz, a taste of the world in 1906 and the glowing fish that's winning over pet owners. Edited by Sara Phillips.
WHATEVER
Private use of the space shuttle is a no-no, even if you are the head honcho at NASA.