This article provides examples of past, present, and future technology inspired by nature.
Author Archives: Anita Hacker
Smartphones may serve as digital security blankets
Researchers from the University of California, Irvine found that access to smart phones distract people from negative situations and also serve as social support.
Total Failure: The Mountain That Got Away
Professional cimber Emily Harrington talks about the trip that taught her that it is okay to fail.
Why figuring out what’s behind a big gender paradox won’t be easy
Science reporter Cathleen O’Grady explains the gender-equality paradox and and why drawing any conclusions from the research on it is tricky.
Grand Canyon Stunts Over the Years
Read about the death-defying spectacles performed by thrill seekers in and around the popular national park throughout history.
Why the North Pond Hermit Hid from People for 27 Years
Author Michael Finkel explains what drew him to the man he wrote about in his book The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit.
Colombian Duque’s bid to change peace deal rattles sabers, but war unlikely
More than two years after a peace accord was signed in Colombia, the country continues to dispute its provisions.
Woman describes what it was like to be the only survivor of a flight obliterated by a thunderstorm
Juliane Koepcke recounts surviving a plane crash and eleven days alone in the Peruvian jungle decades earlier.
Australia targets big business with world’s 2nd anti-slavery law
A 2018 law requires that companies in Australia disclose how they prevent modern-day slavery, but some citizens question its effectiveness.
He’s Supposed to Marry a Japanese Princess. Just Don’t Call Him Her Fiancé.
Princess Mako of Japan and her fiance endure pressure from her royal family, but defy expectations.
Girl Scouts Take on Cyber Security
Girl Scouts earning cybersecurity badges are not only preparing to combat modern threats, they may help decrease the inequality in STEM fields.
Is There Any Point to Protesting?
Weaving in examples throughout history, columnist Nathan Heller argues that even when marches and protests are ineffective, they are still important.
How 19th-Century Women Used Department Stores to Gain Their Freedom
In the 1870s, the creation of deparatment stores gave women a socially acceptably way to leave the home, both as shoppers and as part of the workforce.
From A Risky Spacewalk To The Top of Mount Everest
Retired astronaut Scott Parazynski reflects on his life’s adventures.
The Taliban Couldn’t Quash This Pakistani Squash Champ
Growing up in a dangerous region of Pakistan, Maria Toorpakai found a way to pursue her goals.
In their words: how children are affected by gender issues
In this video and article, nine-year-old kids on four continents share their thoughts about their lives and the broader world, including what expectations they feel because of their gender.
What makes a hero?
This article examines some of the traits that allow people to act heroically or prevent them from doing so.
How to disagree productively and find common ground
Former world debate champion and business strategist Julia Dhar argues that debating ideas instead of identities is the key to productive conversations.
You Share Everything With Your Bestie. Even Brain Waves.
A researcher at UCLA found that brain scans taken while study participants watched a variety of video clips could accurately predict which of the subjects were friends.
Is love losing its soul in the digital age?
Philosophy professor Firmin DeBrabander contemplates how couples display their relationships on social media.