Recreation
Leisure activities, including sports, travel, entertainment and hobbies
Wernher von Braun’s Martian Chronicles
In 1954, a special issue of Collier's magazine envisioned a ten-ship flotilla to the red planet.
July 30, 2012 |
By Matt Novak
How China Will Beat the US in Olympic Medals
How to tell which countries will take home more bling, and why weight lifting matters.
July 30, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
More Great Books and Where Best to Read Them
A continuation of last week's list of the author's favorite reads
July 27, 2012 |
By Alastair Bland
How to Win Money by Predicting the Olympics
Statistics could help predict just how fast athletes will run and swim at this summer's Olympics.
July 27, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
A Single Brain Structure May Give Winners That Extra Physical Edge
An extraordinary insula helps elite athletes better anticipate their body's upcoming feelings, improving their physical reactions
July 26, 2012 |
By Sandra Upson
When the Olympics Gave Out Medals for Art
In the modern Olympics’ early days, painters, sculptors, writers and musicians battled for gold, silver and bronze
July 25, 2012 |
By Joseph Stromberg
Why the Idea of Killing Sharks to Make Waters Safer Is Absurd
The recent fatal shark attack off Western Australia has ignited a debate there over whether the fish should continue to be protected
July 24, 2012 |
By Alastair Bland
Today’s the Shared Anniversary of Ruin Porn Poster Children Detroit, Machu Picchu
July 24th marks double jackpot for the intrepid explorers of years past as well for as fans of the latest photographic trend, "ruin porn."
July 24, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
The Science Behind London Olympics’ “Springy” Track
When the athletes hit the track at this summer's Olympic games, they'll be stepping onto a surface as finely tuned as they are.
July 24, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
Which Freestyle Method Would Help You Beat Michael Phelps?
Scientists examine the difference between two distinct freestyle strokes in order to determine the most efficient stroke around.
July 23, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
Hey, Travelers, Got Any Spare Change?
Now I know what to do with my jar of Turkish liras, Cambodian riels and Irish 50-pence pieces.
July 23, 2012 |
By Susan Spano
Great Books—and the Best Places to Read Them
Reading while traveling can serve as a sensory supplement to one's surrounding environment. Here's a list of some of my favorite books and where to read them
July 21, 2012 |
By Alastair Bland
Know Your Olympic Mascots
From Waldi the dachshund to Mukmuk the marmot, test your memory of the the Olympic Games' colorful representatives
July 19, 2012 |
By Jesse Rhodes
Man’s Best Friend or the World’s Number-One Pest?
With perhaps 600 million strays skirmishing for food on the fringe of the human world, street dogs are a common element of travel just about everywhere
July 18, 2012 |
By Alastair Bland
Mesa Verde’s Mary Jane Colter Collection (But Don’t Call it That)
Among the treasures that will be on display when the park's new museum opens later this year are 30 pieces donated by the legendary architect
July 18, 2012 |
By Susan Spano
Jennifer Griffin on Managing a Kitchen as an Amputee
While some might see the lack of a hand as an end to a life of cooking, Jennifer Griffin figured out how to revamp and revise her methodology for pulling a meal together
July 18, 2012 |
By Jesse Rhodes
The Swimsuit Series, Part 4: A Competitive Swimmer’s Musings
In Leanne Shapton's Swimming Studies "Bathing" chapter, there's a story behind every suit
July 17, 2012 |
By Emily Spivack
The XXX Olympics: Smithsonian's Guide to the Games
Prepare yourself for the London Olympics with this comprehensive guide to the history, science, arts and thrills of the worldwide celebration
July 16, 2012 |
By Smithsonian.com
Return of the King Salmon
In the ocean waters just off California's Central Coast, the fish are swarming this summer like they haven't in years
July 12, 2012 |
By Alastair Bland
In Sports, Winning Streaks Are Just Flukes
Winning streaks are engrained into our sports psyches, but are they actually a legitimate phenomoenon?
July 11, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
