Just How Unrepresentative Are the Iowa Caucuses?
There's no denying the whiteness of the state. But scholars cite other qualities that make Iowa more like the rest of the country.
Can CRISPR Save Tufty Fluffytail?
The native red squirrel population in the UK has been decimated by the encroachment of its American cousin, an invasive species. Could a "gene drive" help?
Bulldozers Versus Biodiversity, Then and Now
Trump's border wall threatens habitats in Arizona's Sonoran Desert. What happened when the area was bulldozed in the 1950s?
How Comparative Religion Took Root in the 19th Century
Many Americans considered faiths outside Christianity and Judaism to be "pagan." Unitarian minister James Freeman Clarke argued otherwise.
Why John Baldessari Burned His Own Art
The artist's "Cremation Project" of 1970 marked a liberation from the tradition of painting and a step toward a more encompassing vision.
Ray Bradbury on War, Recycling, and Artificial Intelligence
As the 21st century unravels, Ray Bradbury remains a fundamental figure of the sci-fi genre.
How the Vietnam War Shaped US Immigration Policy
The makings of our modern resettlement system can be traced back to the fallout of the Vietnam War, a cascade of international crises stoked by the U.S.
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.