Consider the initial meeting of Arawaks and Europeans through a fresh, critical lens.
Author Archives: Mikki Gibson
Five Myths About the U.S. Postal Service
The U.S. Postal Service was established by the Constitution to provide links vital to democracy. Find out the facts that dispel some prevalent myths.
Civic Participation
Participating in society in ways like volunteering or voting provides some surprising health benefits.
How a History Textbook Would Describe 2020 So Far
How might students in the future learn about the pivotal year of 2020? Read one historian’s chapter, written when the year was only half over.
Racial Economic Inequality
A century and a half after emancipation, Black Americans face economic challenges that have only been exacerbated by a global pandemic.
English spelling campaigners enlist the help of Hamlet
William Shakespeare penned some of the most famous lines in the English language, which is exactly why spelling reformers are starting with Hamlet.
The surprising habits of original thinkers
Some of the most creative, successful ideas are the result of procrastination. Watch this TED Talk to learn more about this and other counterintuitive findings about what drives success.
Coronavirus pandemic adds risk to already dangerous job of firefighting in western U.S.
Read about the risks faced by first responders to the nation’s wildfires and what works to mitigate them.
Coronavirus face masks: Why men are less likely to wear masks
Around the globe and regardless of politics, men are less likely than women to wear facial coverings during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read about some of the reasons for this disparity.
A Rocket Scientist’s Love Algorithm Adds Up During Covid-19
The search for true love is always complicated. Find out how one NASA engineer attempted to crack the code.
The effect of Black Lives Matter protests on coronavirus cases, explained
Widespread protests led some to predict a spike in coronavirus cases. Read about why that result didn’t materialize.
‘We were shocked’: RAND study uncovers massive income shift to the top 1%
Are Americans living in a new gilded age? See what the numbers say.
Living Off-Grid: What It’s Actually Like
Homesteading is a huge commitment that can help bring people in tune with nature. Read the pros and cons of one homesteader’s experience.
The pandemic stilled human activity. What did this ‘anthropause’ mean for wildlife?
Scientists are enjoying a surprising benefit of the reduction in human activity in 2020.
750 million genetically engineered mosquitoes approved for release in Florida Keys
The debate about the best way to control a persistent disease vector is about to get real.
John Lewis: 1940 – 2020
Read a remembrance of the late Congressman John Lewis (at left), a prominent voice for equality.
Fighting for Social Justice Sparks Ratings Surge for WNBA
Standing up for justice isn’t just good for equality; it’s also good for business.
At least 11 women have vied for U.S. vice president
Take a look back at women who have run for the second-highest office in the land.
Class of 2021 Is Beginning a Senior Year We Never Imagined
Success will look different for the Class of 2021. Read a parent’s perspective and hopes for this year’s high-school seniors.
How Animals Shaped Our Modern World
Nature is important to humans in some very practical ways. Read about some of the technological advances the animal world has given us.