Got Milk? You Probably Got Fire Retardants, Too
“Forever chemicals,” also known as PFAS, have been found in 43 states so far, turning up in milk, eggs, and fish.
Copycats, Demon Drink, and the Power of a Color
Well-researched stories from The Conversation, The Atlantic, and other great publications that bridge the gap between news and scholarship.
Is Jane Austen the Antidote to Social Media Overload?
Racking up likes and followers today resembles the nonstop friending of 19th-century England. But Austen's characters figured out how to disengage.
Crispus Attucks Needs No Introduction. Or Does He?
The African American Patriot, who died in the Boston Massacre, was erased from visual history. Black abolitionists revived his memory.
When Sports Have “Death Waivers”
Obstacle courses can draw thousands of participants to a single event, but legal scholars say they need scrutiny.
Asimov’s Empire, Asimov’s Wall
The science fiction author Isaac Asimov engaged in forms of unwanted touching with countless women. It set the tone for the entire genre.
Selling Hedonism in Postwar America
The hedonism of American consumer culture is the result of deliberate efforts by mid-twentieth century marketing experts.
The Linguistic Anatomy of a Political Firestorm
The prime minister of Australia has a background in marketing, but with the bush fire crisis, his manipulation of language is only getting him so far.
Iran in the Trump Era
President Trump's decision to order the assassination of Iranian Major General Qasem Soleimani has backfired in spectacular fashion. Why?
The Mexica Didn’t Believe the Conquistadors Were Gods
The indigenous Mexica (Aztec) people were overwhelmed by a superior technological force ruthlessly used against them.