Mostafa El-Abbadi
Mostafa A. H. el-Abbadi was the visionary behind the revival of the Great Library of Alexandria, the vast Bibliotheca Alexandrina.
Why Do We Have “Free Trade” For Televisions, But Not For Corn?
While the U.S. opens industries to market competition at home and abroad, we give our agricultural producers a lot of protection, including big subsidies.
The Agonizing Death of the Aral Sea
After decades of environmental disaster, fish and wildlife may rebound to Central Asia's Aral Sea, but the lake will never be restored to its former glory.
What Does Bill Cosby’s Problematic Legacy Mean for Black Colleges?
The Cosbys gave Spelman College, one of America's 107 HBCUs, over $20 million dollars. What does his legacy mean for the future of black colleges?
The Constitution Most Americans Have Forgotten About
The Articles of Confederation set off the long-running feud between states' rights and Washington, a debate that still rages today.
The Bitter Controversy Over Nebraska’s State Capital
Lincoln or Omaha or... Neapolis? The fight over where to put the capital of Nebraska was much more heated than you may have imagined.
“A refusal by subjects to obey”: Gene Sharp’s Theory of Nonviolence
Gene Sharp, repeatedly nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, has been called the "Machiavelli of nonviolence" and the "Clausewitz of nonviolent warfare."
How Should We Deal With Plastic Bags?
A proposed 5-cent plastic bag fee was just blocked in New York City. What can be done to effectively reduce plastic bag use?
Suggested Readings: New Planets, Ineffective Drugs, and Mardi Gras Beads
Well-researched stories from around the web that bridge the gap between news and scholarship. Brought to you each Tuesday ...
Why People Once Loved Linoleum
Linoleum, which was created by pressing cotton scrim with oxidized linseed oil and adding cork dust and coloring, became instantly popular.