Arts and Humanities
The arts and humanities explore human experience through creative expression and critical analysis of history, literature, philosophy and religion
Maybe Cleopatra Didn’t Commit Suicide
Her murder, one author thinks, was covered up behind a veil of propaganda and lies put forth by the Roman Empire
March 29, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
VIDEO: “MLK: The Assassination Tapes” now a Peabody Award Winner
The award-winning program brings to light recently rediscovered footage and offers a fresh perspective on one of America's greatest tragedies
March 29, 2013 |
By Paul Bisceglio
Now You Know the History of G.I. Joe. And Knowing Is Half The Battle
The evolution of the All American Hero from artist's mannequin to action figure
March 29, 2013 |
By Jimmy Stamp
The United States Isn’t the Only Country Asking the Gay Marriage Question
The U.S. isn't the only nation struggling with the gay marriage issue. Here are where the debate stands in other countries around the world
March 29, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
James Cameron Decides to Let Scientists Use His Awesome Submersible
The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution inherits the submarine, which they will use to built even better submersibles
March 28, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Events March 29-31: Parasitic Wasps, Joseph Henry and Victorian Portraits
This weekend, learn about wasps that live inside their prey, meet Smithsonian's first secretary from 1846 and see living rooms from 150 years ago
March 28, 2013 |
By Paul Bisceglio
Nobody Chews Like You Chew
There are a few things that are distinct to every person—her fingerprints, voice, particular way of walking, and, it turns out, the way she chews
March 27, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
Butterflies, Baseball and Blossoms: Tours for Your Spring Vacation
Two custom tours come fully loaded with insider information, digital postcards and step-by-step directions
March 27, 2013 |
By Leah Binkovitz
On the Menu This Easter in Newfoundland: Seal Flipper Pie
This breaded pie made from seals has been consumed during the Lenten season since 1555
March 27, 2013 |
By K. Annabelle Smith
An Artist’s Ode to Plankton, Set to Puccini’s ‘La Boheme’
Instead of singing to Mimi, the poet Rodolfo serenades a giant stalks of human-sized plankton wrapped in plastic pollution
March 27, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
The Minivan Turns 30
Celebrate the birthday of the iconic car that changed the way families drove
March 26, 2013 |
By Jimmy Stamp
Beyond Chinua Achebe: Five Great African Authors You Should Read Right Now
Two curators from the African Art Museum recommend recent African authors who have joined Achebe in shaping the world's understanding of the African experience
March 26, 2013 |
By Paul Bisceglio
After 195 Years, Georgia Is Still Complaining About Its Border With Tennessee
Georgia, again, wants to move its border a mile to the north
March 26, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
The Otherworldly Calm of Wolfgang Laib’s Glowing Beeswax Room
A German contemporary artist creates a meditative space—lined with beeswax—at the Phillips Collection in Washington, D.C.
March 26, 2013 |
By Megan Gambino
Scientists Published Henrietta Lacks’ Genome Without the Consent of Her Family
Author Rebecca Skloot argues that society is not ready for full genetic disclosures of individuals
March 26, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
The Count of Dead Pigs Pulled Out of Chinese Rivers Is Up to 16,000
Recent plagues of dead animals floating down China's rivers may be due to farmers evading heightened environmental regulations
March 25, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Tracing $1 Bills Across the United States Is a Surprisingly Useful Hobby
What started as a quirky hobby, has turned into a national bill hunt that's useful for all sorts of people - like physicists
March 25, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
Obama Dedicates Five New National Monuments
Locals and environmentalists are happy about the decision, but others warn that the new monuments arrive just in time for the sequester's budget cuts
March 25, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
A Gentile’s Guide to Keeping Kosher for Passover
Updated on March 25, 2013 for the latest in Kosher for Passover news The Torah couldn’t make things any clearer. From Exodus 12:14 and 15: “This day shall be for you a memorial day, and you shall keep it as a feast to the LORD; throughout your generations, as statute forever, you shall keep it as [...]
March 25, 2013 |
By Brian Wolly
Events March 26-28: Student Sit-Ins, Environmental Art and Female Historical Perspectives
This week, re-enact an event that encouraged civil rights, turn water bottles into art and see American history through women's eyes
March 25, 2013 |
By Paul Bisceglio
