Uselessness, Fake Soup, and That One Song
Well-researched stories from Psyche, Atlas Obscura, and other great publications that bridge the gap between news and scholarship.
What is in an Ice Core?
Climate science frequently references ice cores, but it's what is in the cores that matters to science and history.
Creating the Musical Canon
When you look at the canon of popular music, who's on the list looks very much like those who made the list.
How Physicians Became Scientists
The introduction of formal peer review to journals aided medical doctors in their quest to bring more scientific rigor to their field.
Julian of Norwich, Anchoress and Mystic
A religious recluse, mystic and author, Julian of Norwich wrote of Jesus Christ as a nurturing mother and teacher to the faithful.
White Shoes, WASPs and Law Firms
Law firms founded on Protestant identity necessitated the creation of firms that would hire those shut out by WASP gatekeeping.
Off-Trail Trampling Has Lasting Impacts
Sometimes taking the trail less traveled actually does more harm than good.
We All “Scream” for the Metatextual
Do you like scary movies? How about movies that scare you while satirizing and paying homage to their genre?
Burning Kelp for War
World War I saw the availability of potash plummet, while its price doubled. The US found this critical component for multiple industries in Pacific kelp.
Tchaikovsky’s Patroness
Madame von Meck offered Tchaikovsky her generous patronage, but spoke to him only through letters.