History & Society

History & Society

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

Does your father say "I love you," or express it in another way?
climate change
Any alien civilization that grows to span an entire planet would spark the same effects that we have. So, what do we do about it?
start-ups
In New Zealand, ambitious Kiwis want to launch a lawn mowing business; in South Africa, it's cooking gas refills. Start-up dreams vary widely.
techno-optimism
Technology will not save the world, and it is inherently neither good nor bad. But, when tech is coupled to human virtue, good will prevail.
jwst
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) will study many dangerous cosmic phenomena, knowledge of which may help save humanity.
A dispute marked by flags and booze has been replaced with an official land border.
Nero dystopia
The answer to this question depends on how you define "freedom."
Prison is an unreliable method of punishment. Let's do better.
Where did the “seed” magnetic field come from in the first place?
The weirdest thing about the 21 feet found near Vancouver since 2007? Foul play has been ruled out.
Science doesn't fit neatly into ideology.
John Templeton Foundation
In all of science, no figures have changed the world more than Einstein and Newton. Will anyone ever be as revolutionary again?
classical composers
For centuries, men prevented women from writing music. These classical composers broke with social norms and made their mark on history.
infinity
And if it does, could we ever measure it?
A woman paints as part of her creative habit.
Being more creative doesn’t require a ‘Muse.’ It’s about pairing intelligence and imagination.
Sherlock Holmes
Detective fiction reveals how a particular society or time period looks at crime and criminal justice.