First rising in the 15th century, these forts sought to counter a deadly innovation in military technology.

Many organizations are missing a key catalyst for excellence — and it’s not a new software program or workplace perk.

While ice itself is slick, slippery, and difficult to navigate across under most circumstances, skaters easily glide across the ice.

Reflecting on the final moments she spent with her mother, and the weeks afterwards spent cataloging her life in objects and memories, Poet Laureate of the Ordinary Kelly Corrigan shares how important it is to attune, to behold, and to notice — even if it’s difficult or uncomfortable:

The hospital where Rainn Wilson’s wife and son nearly died became his own personal holy site. There, he discovered that the sacred can exist in places we least expect it. During his talk at A Night of Awe and Wonder, he explained how the awe we feel in moments of courage and love is moral beauty — and following it might be the start of our spiritual revolution.

From religious iconography to modern mysticism, the human aura has been a subject of fascination across centuries and cultures.

Science writer Matt Ridley joins us to discuss how “Darwin’s strangest idea” makes us all a bit feather-brained (in a good way).

The artistic and the mathematical mind are not so far apart.

With no reliable way to discern the author of an artwork, we may eventually abandon the question of whether something was made by humans or not.

Plato's cave metaphor illustrates the cognitive trap of ignorance, where we may be unaware of the limitations of our understanding.

Will "Sausage Party" survive the test of time?

Burns’ latest documentary dives into the long-romanticized life and work of the Italian polymath.

Through woodworking, John Furniss, known as The Blind Woodsman, discovered a new purpose and a way to share his vision with the world.

You will need determination, humility, and courage if you are to master anything.

Architecture in the age of AI — argues professor Nayef Al-Rodhan — should embed philosophical inquiry in its transdisciplinary toolkit.

Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah Tower is poised to become the world’s tallest building. What’s behind the century-plus drive to build ever taller skyscrapers?

If music is a window onto truth, what does screaming reveal?

From Taoism to hedonism, philosophers have devised all sorts of ways to live your best life.

Big Think spoke with animator and animation historian Tom Sito about the cyclical evolution of animation.

Napoleon Bonaparte was a man of many faces. European historian Michael Broers explains which are featured on the silver screen and why.

'Six Persimmons,' an ink painting by the Chinese monk Mu Qi, has long been hailed as the poster child of Zen Buddhism. But is its reputation deserved?

Once at the pinnacle of Amsterdam’s art scene, Rembrandt van Rijn eventually found himself outcompeted by his own students.

The answer may lie in the power to see far, far beyond yourself.

The flavor is "simultaneously fascinating and... abusive."

Defamiliarization is a common tool in the arts. Here we learn how seeing things from a different angle can lead to billion-dollar success.

Musical preferences are correlated with personality traits — and these connections are largely consistent across cultures and continents.

Legend holds that newly elected popes in the Middle Ages had to present their genitals for inspection to confirm that they were male.

Pure cinema is about removing redundancy so that even the smallest detail serves a purpose in relation to the bigger picture.

Listening to some songs can cause a powerful physiological response known as "frisson." What is it, and why does it happen?

How the simple act of watching twilight can radically transform our perception of the world and our role within it.