History & Society

History & Society

Trace how culture, power, and ideas shape societies across time.

Grayscale image showing a flying object captured on radar screen with various data markings.
Astronomer Adam Frank asks: With so many extraordinary claims, why can't anybody produce the proof?
A man with short, grayish hair, wearing a dark blazer and black shirt, stares directly at the camera against a black background.
9mins
"I think we need a truly open-ended conversation with 8 billion strangers, and what makes that hard to do increasingly is a level of political fragmentation and extremism and partisanship born of our engagement with these new technologies."
In a split image, Taleb's surgeon stands confidently alongside two diverse medical professionals: a woman in a hijab and a woman with glasses, each wearing stethoscopes.
The truly talented are those who got to where they are despite preconceived expectations.
When we see pictures from Hubble or JWST, they show the Universe in a series of brilliant colors. But what do those colors really tell us?
A silhouette of a person stands in front of three closed doors in a dimly lit room. White swirling lines surround the figure, adding a sense of motion and mystery to the scene.
In the 18th century, David Hume argued that we are only motivated to do good when our passions direct us to do so. Was he right?
Aerial map view highlighting the Humongous Fungus in red within Malheur National Forest, with labeled sections "Genet D" and "Genet E." A scale bar indicates 2 kilometers.
A member of a species that kills trees, this mushroom is not the first to be called the Humongous Fungus — and perhaps not the last.
Red ink disperses in water with the words "Menopause Chaos" overlaid in bold white font.
13mins
What can you do to support your health during menopause? “If exercise were a drug, that would be the one thing that we would be giving to everybody.”
Collage of social media icons and pixelated images in a grid layout, featuring Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook logos on a red background.
"The evolution of digital media makes stricter regulation of online behavior not only feasible but inevitable," writes media ecologist Andrey Mir.
Abstract digital art featuring geometric shapes, circuitry patterns, and a central star motif on a blue and red background.
The cat-and-mouse game between China and the world’s semiconductor companies is already having enormous consequences.
Colorful, blurry streaks of red, blue, and green converge towards the center on a black background, creating a dynamic and radiant starburst effect that illustrates how we see color in all its vibrant glory.
The color of the shirt you're wearing right now depends on many factors, from your eye shape to what language you speak.
World map highlighting the Brandt Line, dividing the Global North and Global South across continents.
In 1980, Willy Brandt drew a line across the map that still influences how we think about the world.
Yellow book cover titled "Consider the Turkey" by Peter Singer, featuring a red illustration of a turkey—perfect for Thanksgiving reading.
Philosopher Peter Singer argues it's time to examine a morally dubious practice.
In a black and white illustration, four cartoon characters stand among poppies, set against a fantasy world backdrop. Overlaid text delves into the 19th-century currency debate, highlighting the clash between "Silverites" and "Goldbugs," merging historical intrigue with imaginative charm.
Many beloved fantasy adventures take place in worlds that bear a striking resemblance to our own.
A glitch art depiction of an old sketch reminiscent of Da Vinci, featuring a bearded man in a hat with digital distortion weaving through his face.
Burns’ latest documentary dives into the long-romanticized life and work of the Italian polymath.
Comparison of early Mars with abundant water and a thicker atmosphere versus the dry and arid Mars of today, much like Venus, which also died in terms of its potential to support life.
Mars and Earth were sister planets in many ways, with early similar conditions. Why did Mars die? The leading explanation isn't universal.
Three people in casual clothing enthusiastically jump in front of a peach-colored wall. One wears a straw hat and a green sash, and another has elephant ears and face paint.
6mins
Can creativity really change the world? Creativity Pioneers argue that it can. By using art, culture, and imagination, these innovators are tackling some of the most pressing social issues of […]
Moleskine Foundation
A vibrant cosmic explosion with bright colors radiating outward, set against a starry space background, captures the mystery of a bizarre supernova.
In the year 1181, a "guest star" was recorded in the constellation of Cassiopeia. Its modern supernova remnant is weirder than we imagined.
Five Lego minifigures standing in a line, each with distinct facial expressions and clothing, against a split white and orange background.
Reading this article would be such a millennial thing to do.
A bulletin board with newspaper clippings, maps, and strings. The text "THE HIDDEN TRUTH?" is prominently displayed in the center.
7mins
“The problem with conspiracy theories is they're not just telling you a story, they're telling you a really good story. There's a hidden cabal behind everything that's happening, there's a secret pattern that you just have to be smart enough to detect.”