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History & Society
Trace how culture, power, and ideas shape societies across time.
To study the origin of the Universe, we could build a constellation of six expensive spacecraft — or we could just use the Moon.
For some reason, when we talk about the age of stars, galaxies, and the Universe, we use "years" to measure time. Can we do better?
The relationship between these two ways of thinking about the world deserves deeper exploration.
The attitude we take to Will Smith's slap will mirror our attitudes to violence, masculinity, and protecting others more generally.
From the tablets of the Babylonians to the telescopes of modern science, humans have always looked to the skies for fundamental answers.
By toppling medieval Europe’s mightiest political power, the Protestant Reformation ushered in a new age of freedom, religious and otherwise.
“How can we live without our lives? How will we know it’s us without our past?” Steinbeck writes.
Javelin missiles have been an effective force multiplier, the latter-day equivalent of the sling that David used against Goliath.
Galactic archaeology has uncovered a spectacular find: the Milky Way already existed more than 13 billion years ago.
More than 200 years ago, scientists tried to figure out how bats navigate in the dark (or without eyes). This set in motion a series of events that led to the development of ultrasound as a form of psychotherapy.
Multiple lines of evidence — physical, chemical, and biological — must converge for scientists to conclude that alien life has been found.
Urinating in the direction of NATO’s staunchest opponent could cost you $350 or more. For world peace, aim wisely.
To answer any physical question, you must ask the Universe itself. But what happens when the answers aren't around anymore?
“I watched closely for the sun or stars to appear, to correct my chronometer, on the accuracy of which our lives and the success of the journey would depend.”
The way that the ancient Megalodon adapted to water temperature has important implications for modern marine creatures.
From crocodiles to birds, certain animals managed to survive some of the worst extinction events in world history.
Spotty connectivity isn’t going to jeopardize Ukraine’s drone attacks.
Anesthesia causes animals and humans to lose consciousness. A study found it has a similar effect on Venus flytraps.
Far from being inappropriate, many of the most controversial acceptance speeches highlighted important issues in the film industry.
Modern applications of Stoicism show up in unexpected places, from the latest techniques in psychotherapy to texts on Christian theology.