Flying Spiders, Disappearing Dogs, and Superman
Well-researched stories from the New York Times, Washington Post, and other great publications that bridge the gap between news and scholarship.
The Poet Who Wanted to Be Eaten by Vultures
One day in 1971, the hard-drinking Beat poet Lew Welch walked into the woods of Nevada County and disappeared, possibly angling to be eaten by vultures.
Entrepreneur Personality Test
A study of successful entrepreneurs finds a high level of emotional intelligence and sociability, along with a marked need to dominate.
Should Politics be Civil?
Some political philosophers suggest that arguments about civility are a distraction from the real political issues.
The Massive Fight over Sunday Mail
Sunday mail delivery was hugely controversial in the early 19th century, inspiring one of the U.S.'s first efforts to rally public opinion around a cause.
The Busy, Beneficial Beaver
Americans have long viewed beavers as nuisances. But their dams are important for water management, helping to store and recharge depleted groundwater.
When Souvenirs Peddle Stereotypes
The things travelers bring home reflect their worldviews. In 19th c. Niagara Falls, souvenirs revealed problematic stereotypes about Native Americans.
Will an 18th-Century Giant Finally Get a Burial at Sea?
The skeleton of Charles Byrne, the “Irish Giant," has been displayed in London's Hunterian Museum for 200 years. Byrne wanted a different resting place.
The Medieval Castle That Pranked Its Visitors
At Hesdin, in France, the idyllic beauty of the grounds met the sadistic slapstick of the castle’s “engines of amusement.”
The Cries Heard Around the World
ProPublica's audio of crying children in detention centers touched a nerve. Humans are keenly attuned to the sounds of crying, in part because of evolution.