The Invention of the Giveaway
The appeal of the free gift has always been, for the consumer, about the eternal dream of getting something for nothing.
Turkey’s “Outsider” Threats
Ever since it was founded as a republic in 1923, Turkey has struggled with its so-called Kurdish issue.
Denmark Builds a Wild Boar Wall
Is constructing a fence along the Denmark/Germany border really the best way to keep wild pigs away from domestic pigs?
Mahatma Gandhi, Master Mediator
Gandhi's legacy helped shape independent India, if in sometimes indirect ways.
Poetry from Independent Voices
Reveal Digital's open access "Independent Voices" collection includes many digitized literary magazines. Those interested in poetry should take note.
How Basquiat Used His Surroundings as a Canvas
Jean-Michel Basquiat created art that commented on New York City, while also contributing to its architecture and style.
Five Steps to Making Your Garden a Carbon Sink
If the 81 million U.S. households with yards adopt these practices, they could absorb more carbon and help combat climate change.
What’s Wrong with Planet Earth?
According to one critic, the BBC documentary inspired more appreciation for HD television than it did for engaged environmentalism.
How Harmonicas Came to America
Harmonicas were invented in Europe in the 1820s as an aid for tuning pianos, but they didn't really take off until they crossed the Atlantic.
Why Miles Davis’s “Kind of Blue” Is So Beloved
A music scholar suggests that Miles Davis combined the blues with the musical avant garde in a manner reflecting the integrationist spirit of the era.