Friday 13 November 2015, a series of terrorist attacks in Paris, France, caused the death of 130 people. This is only nine months after the Charlie Hebdo shootings that occurred in January in about the same district, with the same incomprehensible background: barbarism against a free and civilized society by insane armed people. As both events have provoked massive public and political reactions around the world, everyone is asking: how could this happen? What should we do now?
How can we, as scientists (biologists, sociologists, psychologists, … ) analyse/understand these events? What (if any) is the rationale behind this? And what action should we propose?
A “Pray for Paris” logo has instantaneously circulated on social media, inspired by the drawing style of the “je suis Charlie” (“I am Charlie)” logo popularised after the Charlie Hebdo shootings. “Don't pray, think” quickly answered another logo (inspired by the Apple company slogan). This is indeed definitely the time for thinking, a time for knowledge and the sharing of it, a time for education, a time when the fight against obscurantism has never been so crucial and urgent.