Cities and Urban Areas
The Silence that Preceded China’s Great Leap into Famine
Mao Zedong encouraged critics of his government—and then betrayed them just when their advice might have prevented a calamity
September 26, 2012 |
By Gilbert King
How Bad Is Air Travel for the Environment?
A large passenger jet may consume five gallons of fuel per mile traveled. Is it possible, then, that planes are more efficient than cars?
September 26, 2012 |
By Alastair Bland
The Equinox: See It for Yourself This Weekend
There are many great spots around the globe to observe the celestial phenomena, from Machu Picchu to the Yorkshire moors
September 21, 2012 |
By Alastair Bland
The Copper King’s Precipitous Fall
Augustus Heinze dominated the copper fields of Montana, but his family's scheming on Wall Street set off the Panic of 1907.
September 20, 2012 |
By Gilbert King
Six Things to Do and Places to See Before Climate Change Swamps the Party
Get out and view a wild polar bear and visit Tuvalu and other low-lying islands while you have a chance
September 20, 2012 |
By Alastair Bland
Lunch Atop a Skyscraper Photograph: The Story Behind the Famous Shot
For 80 years, the 11 ironworkers in the iconic photo have remained unknown, and now, thanks to new research, two of them have been identified
September 20, 2012 |
By Megan Gambino
50 Years of the Jetsons: Why The Show Still Matters
Although it was on the air for only one season, The Jetsons remains our most popular point of reference when discussing the future.
September 19, 2012 |
By Matt Novak
An Ingenious Way of Shaming Politicians Into Fixing Potholes
A group of annoyed citizens in Yekaterinburg, Russia, reached their wits' end with the many potholes dotting city roads, so decided to take action
September 14, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
America’s Smaller Cities Are Becoming More Diverse
The U.S. is becoming increasingly diverse outside of its traditional "melting pot" urban centers, according to a new study from Brown University
September 11, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
The Anti-Skyscraper Law That Shaped Sydney, Australia
What happens when public safety clashes with modern architecture?
September 10, 2012 |
By Matt Novak
Big Apple Apocalypse: 200 Years of Destroying New York City
What is it about New York that compels us to see it obliterated in fiction over and over again?
September 06, 2012 |
By Matt Novak
NYC Has Its Own Ant, the “ManhattAnt”
A new ant species joins a menagerie of other creatures cut off from their kind in isolated patches of urban green in NYC
September 05, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Storeowners Hope Cute Little Baby Faces Will Stop Crime
One street in London is hoping to dissuade potential looters by putting a gigantic baby face between them and their loot
August 30, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
At a Glance: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of the Oregon Coast
The coastal Highway 101 route, through rainforest and redwoods, is as beautiful as it is popular
August 29, 2012 |
By Alastair Bland
Transit Users Trust Distorted Subway Maps Way Too Much
Subway map design might have a lot bigger impact on the way you travel than you might think
August 29, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
Your Unofficial Guide to Portland, Oregon’s Many Brewpubs and Breweries
In parts of Portland, Oregon, one must hardly walk three blocks before running into another bar that pours its very own beer. Locally brewed? The concept takes on a whole new scale of meaning in Portland
August 24, 2012 |
By Alastair Bland
The Smoothest Con Man That Ever Lived
"Count" Victor Lustig once sold the Eiffel Tower to an unsuspecting scrap-metal dealer. Then he started thinking really big
August 22, 2012 |
By Gilbert King
Is Portland, Oregon the Best City for Bikes in the Country?
With dedicated bike lanes and businesses catering to cyclists, the Oregon city is a true pedaler's paradise
August 22, 2012 |
By Alastair Bland
Better, Faster, Taller – How Big can Buildings Really Get?
The race for the tallest structure in the world has been with us since humans built structures, and today it is going strong. But where's the limit?
August 20, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
Where Has the Heat Been Most Oppresive This Summer?
This year is shaping up to be among the warmest on record—not only in the United States but worldwide. Here are a few of the hottest hotspots
August 16, 2012 |
By Alastair Bland
