Read about the history of fire escapes and whether their purpose was ever fulfilled.
Author Archives: Anita Hacker
What it Means to Build Without Bias: Questioning the Role of Gender in Architecture
In her thesis project, graduate student Hannah Rozenberg created an algorithm to measure how male or female physical spaces are and created architectural models of gender neutral spaces.
6 Things You May Not Know About the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
A replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is currently touring the country. Learn about its original design and intent.
Editorial: Why Chicago violent crimes go unsolved
The Chiago Tribune editorial board argues that the first step to ending violence in Chicago neighborhoods is to start solving more cases.
Thomas Paine Biography
Learn about the life of Thomas Paine, whose writing in the 1770s argued for independence from Britain.
Lessons from the longest study on human development
In Britain, a decades-long project has studied thousands of children to determine what leads to success later in life. Scientist and journalist Helen Pearson shares some of the lessons learned.
The Argentine mother who took on the Junta dictatorship over her ‘disappeared’ son
In the laste 1970s and early 1980s, the Junta dictatorship in Argentia took thousands of people they feared were dissenters or would grow up to dissent. Read about one woman’s fight to find justice for her son.
The Perks of a Play-in-the-Mud Educational Philosophy
Researcher Conor Williams questions how to balance outdoor play with academic learning.
Superheroes and the Hero Monomyth: Part I
Psychology professor and police chaplain Brian Kinnaird argues for the inlucsion of comic book superheroes with the great classical heroes of mythology.
When Romeo Is a Robot
After observing a mechanical “couple” that was created as an art installation, one viewer writes about how technology might affect the mystery and destiny of love. Watch the video embedded in the article to view how the two robots interact.
In ‘The New Face Of America,’ Journalist Alex Wagner Saw Herself
Journalist and author Alex Wagner talks about her memoir, Futureface, which examines multiple identities and inconsistencies in family stories in order to find out where she belongs.
‘The Abundance,’ by Annie Dillard
Critic Donovan Hohn profiles the work of nature writer Annie Dillard as he reviews her latest book, The Abundance, a curated anthology of her essays.
Meet the agoraphobic globetrotter who uses Street View to ‘travel’ the world
Read about a woman who explores the world with Google Streetview, using the project as an artistic outlet and to raise awareness for agoraphobia.
Laughter Is Contagious, But It’s Not Alone
Authors David Sturt and Tood Nurstrum discuss the contagious nature of positive behaviors and emotions, inlcuding how being appeciated by someone makes us want to show our appreciation for others.
Was Shakespeare Aware of the Scientific Discoveries of His Time?
While many scholars believe Shakespeare was not aware of scientific advancement in his time, a few propose places in Shakespeare’s plays that give a nod to Copernicus and Galileo.
Women really are better doctors, study suggests
Medical professionals analyze what factors might account for the results of a study that showed female physicians had fewer patients who died or were readmitted to the hospital.
When it’s good to be bad
Historian and writer Cody Delistraty argues that in order to succeed, people need to take a break from their goals occasionally.
Teens aren’t just risk machines – there’s a method to their madness
Psychologists from the University of Oregon argue that teenagers don’t take risks irrationaly, but as part of a process of learning and exploration.
The Statue of Liberty Has Long Been a Magnet for Protest
A symbol for American values and freedom, the Statue of Liberty has been used as a tool to promote the goals of protestors throughout history.
Commonality Vs. Common Ground—What’s the Difference?
Psychologist Kathy Cramer offers advice on how to have a conversation with someone who has a differing viewpoint.