Society
Culture, traditions and belief systems arising out of the social relationships among a group of people
Why Are Superachievers So Successful?
Two authors spoke to dozens of the highest-achieving people in the world. Here’s what they learned
January 15, 2013 |
By Amy Crawford
Romans Did All Sorts of Weird Things in The Public Baths—Like Getting Their Teeth Cleaned
For ancient Romans enjoying a day at the bathhouse, the list of items lost to drains includes jewelry, scalpels, teeth, needles and plates
January 14, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Cardboard Cockroach Is the Fastest, Creepiest Robot in the World
The cardboard cockroach can sprint up to 7 miles per hour on its spindly little legs, using them much as an actual cockroach does
January 14, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Is America a Nation of Soul Food Junkies?
Filmmaker Bryan Hurt explores what makes soul food so personal, starting with his own father's health struggle, in a PBS film premiering tonight
January 14, 2013 |
By Leah Binkovitz
Texas’ New Library Won’t Have Any Books
In San Antonio, an entirely bookless library system
January 14, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
Can You Make Tea Out of Coffee?
Coffee might not be your cup of tea, or vice versa, but those who love both might be in luck. Researchers have just brewed a new tea made from leaves of the coffee plant
January 14, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
The Fisher Space Pen Boldly Writes Where No Man Has Written Before
The Fisher Space Pen has been made famous by Apollo astronauts and Jerry Seinfeld. But just how does it work? And is NASA really spend millions making it?
January 11, 2013 |
By Jimmy Stamp
How Smart Should TVs Be?
Every January, at the Consumer Electronics Show, companies make a point of showing us how much smarter TVs have become, with the hope that they'll once again become our favorite screen.
January 11, 2013 |
By Randy Rieland
Preparing for a Mission to Mars Is Dangerously Boring
One of the biggest challenges to a Mars mission is just how long it takes to get there
January 11, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
Americans Are Drinking More Booze And Less Milk And Juice
Maybe it's the economy, or the current state of politics, or the recent boy band resurgence - but for whatever reason, Americans are putting down the milk and picking up the wine glass
January 10, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
Video: Tiny Artificial Muscles Dance Like Mexican Jumping Beans
MIT scientists have created thin polymer sheets that expand and contract when in contact with water, lifting several times their weight
January 10, 2013 |
By Joseph Stromberg
How Hot is That Pepper? How Scientists Measure Spiciness
How does the Scoville Scale rate the relative spiciness of a chili pepper?
January 10, 2013 |
By Twilight Greenaway
The Gadgets of the Future From the Electrical Shows of Yesterday
Decades before the debut of the Consumer Electronics Show, early adopters flocked to extravagant high-tech fairs in New York and Chicago
January 10, 2013 |
By Matt Novak
No Place Compares to the Unrelenting Lifelessness of Peru’s Sechura Desert
From the lush, tropical mountains, we descended into a landscape of flailing-armed cacti, spiny succulents like giant artichokes and sand dunes as high as mountains
January 10, 2013 |
By Alastair Bland
Stop Judging Jack Lew’s ‘Ridiculous’ Signature
Above, you can see signature of Jacob J. Lew, reportedly the top candidate to be the country’s new Treasury secretary. This scribble—a slinky? a bit of fuzz? a doodle of a caterpillar?—may be printed on every single new dollar bill. The signature is causing no shortage of judgment from media outlets like The New York Times [...]
January 10, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Tide’s a Smart Product to Steal Even If You’re Not Addicted to Drugs
It's a criminal strategy that comes with low risks and high rewards.
January 09, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
The Novice’s Guide to Venturing Into the World of Craft Beer
From food pairings to the best brews for beginners, Dan Koester presents a comprehensive guide to craft beer
January 09, 2013 |
By Leah Binkovitz
Your Phone Could Make You Into a Thunderstorm Predicting Machine
Some Android phones have barometers, and scientists want to use your observations to predict the weather
January 08, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
President Obama’s Autopen: When is an Autograph Not an Autograph?
When the President signed the fiscal cliff deal from 4,800 miles away, he did it with the help of a device that dates back to Thomas Jefferson
January 08, 2013 |
By Jimmy Stamp
You Can Now Buy Space Shuttle Launch Facilities
Haven't you always wanted to own a launch pad?
January 08, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
