Behind the myths of Texas (Texas Observer)
by Irene Vázquez
Many people, including many Texans, view people from that state as a unique kind of American. But the iconic historical stories that often go with that identity can obscure the rich mixing of cultures that really shape the state.

The intelligent forest (Scientific American)
by Richard Schiffman
The trees in a forest can perceive what’s going on around them, store memories, and distribute food to the members of their community. Is that enough to call them intelligent? Legendary ecologist Suzanne Simard says yes.

The complications of being a cicada (The Atlantic)
by Ed Yong
Seventeen-year cicadas may be set to overwhelm the East Coast this year, but they face a rocky long-term future. That’s because they are dependent on an array of bacteria inside their bodies that’s getting more complicated and more vulnerable.

The tragic misunderstanding of the commons (Aeon)
by Michelle Nijhuis
“The tragedy of the commons” is an easily digestible bit of conventional wisdom. Local community management of commons has a proven track record going back thousands of years, but its necessary complexity makes it hard to explain with a simple story.

Honoring the dead in unbearable times (The Conversation)
by Natasha Mikles
The devastation caused by India’s surge in COVID-19 cases doesn’t end with individuals’ deaths. The crisis is forcing families and communities to adapt funerary rites and shift away from traditions that go back thousands of years.

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