Paul Gauguin, Nafea Faa Ipoipo? (When Will You Marry? ) 1892, oil on canvas, 101 x 77 cm

The Real Reason Fine Art Costs So Much

To outsiders, art auctions can seem like a parody of bizarre spending by wealthy people. The origins of ultra-expensive art lies in the nineteenth-century.
Microscope view of thread-like cells

Guess What? You’re a Superorganism.

The White House has announced the "microbiome moonshot" – a push to understand the human microbiome.
An older female worker uses a machine to make a product

The Invention of Retirement

Retirement as a mass phenomenon didn’t start as a way for older people to enjoy themselves.
Extra Credit Suggested Readings from JSTOR Daily Editors

Suggested Readings: Drug Resistance, Dating, and Denim

Extra Credit: Our pick of stories from around the web that bridge the gap between news and scholarship. ...
An illustrated map showing the location of Tibet

Tibet and China 65 Years Later

Tibet was annexed by the Chinese 65 years ago. The struggle for Tibetan independence has continued ever since.
George Wallace in front of a podium

Race Has Always Affected the Vote

While racism in the United States is often attributed to poor whites, research suggests its political power resides in middle and wealthy suburban whites.
Jack Whinery, homesteader, with his wife and the youngest of his five children, Pie Town, New Mexico (LOC) Lee, Russell,, 1903-1986,, photographer.

Child’s Play

Play is an important part of child development; Paul Tough tells us about strategies to encourage healthy child development.
Painting of the Battle of Culloden

Outlander and Historic Memory

Are you an Outlander superfan? Find out about how the collective memory of the Battle of Culloden and its historic site have changed over time.
A blue ocean below an almost cloudless sky

Why Blue Is Better Than Green At Beating the Blues

There might be a reason why being out in nature can put you in a naturally better mood. A new study researched the psychological benefits of ocean views.  
Sapayoa aenigma, Nusagandi, Panama

The Sex Lives of Birds

Deep in a Central American rainforest, ornithologists have discovered that a rare bird has an unusual lifestyle.