Sometimes events fit together as neatly as a five-foot-wide house in an alleyway. In this essay, author Etgar Keret relates how he came to inhabit the world’s narrowest house—one perfectly meshing with his minimalist writing style—located in a place deeply significant to his family.
We’ve all heard the analogy of the frog that allows itself to be boiled to death because it doesn’t notice the gradual change of temperature in the pot. People often cite this story to show the danger of overlooking a gradual change—but of course, it’s completely false. A noted science writer explains the truth.
As Lady Macbeth illustrates, sometimes the greatest power people have over others is not force but persuasion. In this article, a noted psychological expert pinpoints the most effective techniques used to sway us.
Martin Luther King Jr.’s life ended before his work was complete, leaving others to interpret his intentions and delineate his legacy. Vern E. Smith and Jon Meacham discuss the history and the ongoing disagreements over who King was and what his work means today.
Lions and tigers and bears—and cougars, leopards, cheetahs, chimpanzees, lemurs, anacondas, and pythons—are sometimes kept as pets. How wise is it for people to keep dangerous exotic animals? Visit this site to learn the Humane Society’s opinion and arguments about whether anyone should keep an exotic pet.
We may be the only species that produces poetry, but animals communicate, too! Watch this video to learn how orcas, also known as killer whales, communicate with humans and each other.
In January 2012, British adventurer Felicity Aston became the first woman to ski alone across Antarctica. But that is just one of her many adventures. Explore this site to find out more about Aston’s amazing expeditions and upcoming quests.
Changes that happen in nature can be a source of surprising art. In this article, Anna Norris discusses how microbiology and visual design merge to create a new art form.
What creates a more effective revolution—a gun or a book? The answer in this review of a documentary film might surprise you.
In 1852–1853, artist Johannes Adam Simon Ortel painted Pulling Down the Statue of King George III, New York City, a work depicting an event that took place shortly after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. How did the era in which Ortel lived and painted affect Ortel’s depiction? Visit this site to view Ortel’s painting and learn the answer.
Is it time to drop that controller, switch off that television, and head outdoors? This article reports the results of a scientific study of whether exposure to natural settings improves cognition. Perhaps the American Romantics were right about the effects of nature on imagination and thought. Read to find out.
Our national symbol is the bald eagle, as you know, but few of us know much about eagles at all. Visit this site to read summaries of legends about eagles, and, when you’re done, click the links to learn facts about these incredible birds. If the season is right, you can even watch live videos of eagles in the wild!
You’ve probably watched a Kid President speech or two before, but did you know that he has something to say about Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken”? Watch this video to hear Kid President’s opinions about the decisions we face. Can we all really choose to become “awesome”?
How do domestic animals differ from their wild cousins? How were wild animals domesticated in the first place? Visit the American Museum of Natural History’s exhibit on horses to find out. Click on each of the site’s many links to discover where today’s wild horses came from and much more. You may be surprised by what you find!
Why would anyone fly a plane into one of the world’s most powerful storms? Visit this site to learn about “hurricane hunting” with the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron. Learn about its mission, its history, its people, its planes, and its role in saving lives. While you’re there, be sure to click on the “Cyberflight” link to experience a flight into Hurricane Dennis!
If you’ve ever wondered how to overcome deeply held fears, be sure to read this interview with Dr. Maya Angelou. As a child, she ‘d been afraid to talk, yet she grew up to become a writer, a poet, a teacher, and an all-around inspiration to others. Check out her advice about living a full life, measuring success, and more.
The Hip-Hop Shakespeare Company poses this question: “If Shakespeare were alive, would he be a rapper?” Exlore the site to find out about this exciting theater company.
For one child of immigrants, a hated car symbolized the difficulty of adjusting to a new life in the United States. Journalist Joanna Kikissis shares her story.
Some human creations, such as the pyramids of Egypt, have lasted for millenia; however, most are considerably more fragile. This History® television series explores what might happen to what humans have built if nature had its way.
Kira Salak has traveled to almost every continent and has led expeditions to places such as Libya, Burma, and Iran. Learn more about this daring modern explorer.
