How to Predict Hurricanes in the 17th Century
In 1698, Captain Langford shared how one indigenous Caribbean person predicted hurricanes 14 days in advance.
Are There “Transgender” Proclivities in Animals?
We tend to think of gender expression as uniquely human. But many species gain advantages by projecting an opposite-sex appearance.
Believe It or Not, You Don’t Actually Want Mosquitoes Eradicated
What would happen if we actually eliminated mosquitoes?
The Power of Deterrence
The First World War witnessed the first major use of chemical warfare, but by the Second World War deterrence seemed to work.
What the Folk? The Charming Yet Totally Malappropriate Story of Folk Etymology
Etymology is a funny thing. Even if you're not a word nerd, you might have wondered why so many English idioms we use are Just. So. Weird.
Healing Art in Hospitals Today
As hospitals today continue to grow and expand, who is thinking about nurturing patients and visitors with healing art and beautification projects?
A Non-Punitive Response to Juvenile Crime
It wasn’t until recently that federal juvenile justice policy swung sharply toward prosecution and tough sentencing.
A Belief in Ghosts: Poetry and the Shared Imagination
An essay from poet Dorothea Lasky on poetry, ghosts, and the shared imagination.
Gloria Naylor
The critically acclaimed novelist Gloria Naylor has died at age 66.
Inventing Rituals for the Digital World
How do we recognize our digital milestones?