Culture
Signatures meant more in Mesopotamia than they do now − what cylinder seals say about ancient and modern life
Signatures meant more in Mesopotamia than they do now − what cylinder seals say about ancient and modern life Cylinder seals were an early form of signature used by ancient Mesopotamians, particularly in Iraq, around 2350-2150 B.C.E., and are considered a crucial utilitarian object that served as a means of signing documents. The seals were […]
🔬 Science
Bad Bunny and Puerto Rican Muslims: How both remix what it means to be Boricua
Bad Bunny and Puerto Rican Muslims: How both remix what it means to be Boricua Bad Bunny’s music reflects Puerto Rico’s mix of pride, pain, and creative resilience, blending reggaetón beats with sounds of Puerto Rican history and everyday life. Puerto Rican Muslims face unique challenges, including Islamophobia, racism, and marginalization, yet they find ways […]
📰 News
‘Only death can protect us’: How the folk saint La Santa Muerte reflects violence in Mexico
‘Only death can protect us’: How the folk saint La Santa Muerte reflects violence in Mexico La Santa Muerte, a female folk saint, has gained popularity across Mexico and the Americas since her appearance on a street altar in 2001, personifying death and offering protection to those who feel abandoned by government and church institutions. […]
📰 News
The Jew in King Shaka’s court: How a 19th-century castaway shaped a Zulu leader’s legacy
The Jew in King Shaka’s court: How a 19th-century castaway shaped a Zulu leader’s legacy Nathaniel Isaacs, a Jewish apprentice merchant from England, was shipwrecked on the coast of South Africa in 1825 and became a pivotal figure in the period of first contact between the Zulu and Europeans. Isaacs’ memoir, “Travels and Adventures in […]
📰 News
‘My gender is like an empty lot’ − the people who reject man, woman and any other gender label
‘My gender is like an empty lot’ − the people who reject man, woman and any other gender label Researchers have found that some individuals, particularly those who identify as asexual, experience “gender detachment,” where they do not feel a strong connection to traditional gender categories. These individuals often report feeling uncomfortable with defining themselves […]
📰 News
Watch: How Halloween became the holiday it is today
Watch: How Halloween became the holiday it is today Halloween’s origins date back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, which involved dressing up in costumes and lighting bonfires to ward off wandering souls. The holiday was initially associated with chaos and vandalism in late 19th-century America, but its focus shifted towards family-friendly activities over […]
🎭 Entertainment
How the Philadelphia Art Museum is reinventing itself for the Instagram age
How the Philadelphia Art Museum is reinventing itself for the Instagram age The Philadelphia Art Museum has rebranded itself as simply “Philadelphia Art Museum” (PhAM) to appeal to a younger and more diverse audience, signaling a transformation in tone, purpose, and reach. The new logo features a bold, circular emblem that is designed to hold […]
📰 News
Rethinking polygamy – new research upends conventional thinking about the advantages of monogamous marriage
Rethinking polygamy – new research upends conventional thinking about the advantages of monogamous marriage Contrary to conventional thinking, new research suggests that polygamy may not be as harmful as previously believed. A recent study found that polygyny does not lock large numbers of men out of marriage, and in some contexts, men are actually more […]
📰 News
Japan’s sumo association turns 100 – but the sport’s rituals have a much older role shaping ideas about the country
Japan’s sumo association turns 100 – but the sport’s rituals have a much older role shaping ideas about the country Sumo wrestling has been a part of Japanese culture for centuries, but its rituals have roots in Shinto practices that date back even further. The sport’s popularity in Japan was initially overshadowed by baseball, which […]
⚽ Sports
Artificial intelligence can’t kill dreamland
Artificial intelligence can’t kill dreamland Eleanor Hawkridge explores how local art and culture can transform communities. The power of creativity can reconnect us to ourselves and each other. Local art initiatives can help rediscover wonder in everyday life. The article invites viewers to reimagine their relationship with community and culture. Eleanor Hawkridge shares inspiring stories […]
🎭 Entertainment