Humanities
Critical analysis and thought in the fields of history, law and philosophy
Surfer Kelly Slater Searches for the Perfect Wave in New 3-D Film
Mixing science and surfing, "The Ultimate Wave Tahiti" joins the world champion in the hunt
March 15, 2013 |
By Leah Binkovitz
Albania Has No Idea What to Do With All of These Leftover War Bunkers
Albania's 700,000 war bunkers aren't going anywhere soon, so locals are turning them into hostels, animal sheds and make-out spots
March 15, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
The Town Featured in ‘Erin Brockovich’ Still Has a Bunch of Pollution in Its Water
The chromium pollution is spreading, and Hinkley's residents are at a loss for what to do
March 15, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Is Corned Beef Really Irish?
The rise and fall and rise of the traditional St. Patrick's Day meal
March 15, 2013 |
By Shaylyn Esposito
Cannibals of the Past Had Plenty of Reasons to Eat People
For a long time cannibalism was a survival technique, a cultural practice, and a legitimate source of protein
March 14, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
Hey Vegans! There May Be Fish Bladder in Your Guinness
Isinglass, a gelatine collected from the air-bladders of freshwater fish like the sturgeon, is used in the clarification process of some stouts
March 13, 2013 |
By K. Annabelle Smith
The Most Audacious Australian Prison Break of 1876
An American whaling ship brought together an oddball crew with a dangerous mission: freeing six Irishmen from a jail in western Australia
March 12, 2013 |
By Gilbert King
A Batarang, A Golden Ticket and a Green Gremlin: Treasures from Warner Bros.
Warner Brothers added to its collection of donated items with more than 30 new items to the American History Museum
March 11, 2013 |
By Leah Binkovitz
The European Union Wants to Ban Pornography
But the resolution is relatively vague on what exactly pornography is
March 11, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
Did Benjamin Franklin Invent Daylight Savings Time?
The creation of DST is usually credited to George Vernon Hudson, a New Zealand artist and amateur bug collector, but 100 years earlier, Benjamin Franklin pondered a similar question.
March 08, 2013 |
By Angela Serratore
The Secret Plot to Rescue Napoleon by Submarine
In 1820, one of Britain's most notorious criminals hatched a plan to rescue the emperor from exile on the Atlantic isle of St Helena -- but did he ever try it?
March 08, 2013 |
By Mike Dash
Two-Time Gold Medalist Gabby Douglas Talks Big Dreams, Big Wins and Having Fun
Douglas discusses her recent donation of her leotard and other items from the 2012 London Olympics
March 07, 2013 |
By Leah Binkovitz
How Would Thomas Jefferson Solve the Fiscal Crisis?
Jefferson managed to cut military spending by nearly half, end the whiskey tax and buy a third of North America
March 07, 2013 |
By Angela Serratore
Events March 8-10: An Old School Southern Film, an International Women’s Day Celebration and a Classical Concert
This week, watch Bette Davis in the 1938 hit Jezebel, join performance art that honors African women and listen to one of the world's best pianos
March 07, 2013 |
By Paul Bisceglio
Is Cursive Handwriting Going Extinct?
Is cursive handwriting going extinct?
March 06, 2013 |
By Angela Serratore
The Aughts: When People Wore Their Causes on Their Sleeves, Literally
It was a decade of Uggs and excess but also styles meant to further the greater good
March 06, 2013 |
By Emily Spivack
Fake Bishop Tries to Crash Pope-Choosing Party
An impostor bishop crashes important papacy-related meeting
March 06, 2013 |
By Angela Serratore
Snowy Day, But Smithsonian D.C. Museums Open, Zoo Closes
Bad weather threatens the metro area, but the Smithsonian museums Will Open, National Zoo is Closed
March 06, 2013 |
By Leah Binkovitz
The U.S. And Russia Agree on One Thing: They Want to Save Polar Bears
In a rare moment of partnership, the U.S. and Russia are trying to join together to save the polar bear
March 05, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
