Sundials, Sentiments, and S-Town
The immensely popular podcast S-Town features some memorable sundial inscriptions. But where did the slightly morbid tradition come from?
Marie Howe
Marie Howe has a new collection of poetry out. Get to know the beloved poet with these 7 poems, available for free PDF download.
Should We Worry About Ancient Pathogens Being Revived?
Accidental exposure to bacteria trapped inside a crystal is unlikely. Frozen ancient pathogens, however, are another matter.
“Deaths of Despair”: What’s Really Killing Americans
Why a large swath of middle-aged, middle-class white Americans, especially those with lower levels of education, are dying more "deaths of despair."
M-Dwarves and the Search for Life
In recent years, astronomers have broadened their search for habitable planets to include previously ignored stars like M-dwarves.
How Religious Literacy Might Have Changed the Waco Tragedy
Religious scholars argue that the Waco raid was not justified and that with more understanding of theology, the loss of life could have been avoided.
Suggested Readings: Crucifixion, Distrusting Computers, and Trump Tower
Well-researched stories about the symbolism of the cross, AI you can trust, and the global gig economy.
How People Paid Their Taxes in Biblical Times
Think doing your taxes is annoying? Imagine trying it without a computer, a calculator… or even the Arabic numeral system.
Working More for Less: Dangers of the Gig Economy
The "gig economy" benefits startups and tech companies, but it may be unsustainable, and unethical for the economy, and workers, at large.