Poet and nature essayist Camille T. Dungy ponders the importance of diversity as she transforms her sterile yard to a more natural state.
Author Archives: Mikki Gibson
‘Hamlet’ in Virtual Reality Casts the Viewer in the Play
A recent production of Shakespeare’s great tragedy puts the viewer at the center of the intrigue and revenge.
Do today’s global protests have anything in common?
Whether in Europe, the Middle East, or South America, movements of people rising up in protest have grown recently. Read about what links these far-flung demonstrations.
The Most “Realistic” Civil War Novel Was Written Three Decades After It Ended
Stephen Crane’s novel The Red Badge of Courage is so realistic that readers tend to assume it’s based on his own experiences in the war. Spoiler alert: It isn’t.
Why Godzilla is the perfect monster for our age of environmental destruction
Even though the first Godzilla movie was made over half a century ago, this hulking monster has staying power because it can represent the most modern of threats.
Beyond the X — Rez Ball
Catch the excitement of “rez ball” and learn about what an important part of culture basketball is on Native American reservations.
Why do we like being scared?
Rollercoasters, haunted houses, scary movies — we enjoy being scared, but have you ever wondered why? Some scientists think being scared is good for us!
Human Genome Project
Learn about the intensive research project that definitively showed the bonds among all humans.
Racial Bias in Medicine Leads to Worse Care for Minorities
The struggle for full equality doesn’t just show up in history books—it’s happening in hospitals every day.
U.S. public seldom has welcomed refugees into country
Some Americans disagree about whether we should take in refugees fleeing war and disaster in other countries. This is far from the first time.
4 Bloody Family Feuds in American History
Think it’s crazy that the Capulets and Montagues got so carried away with the feud between their families? Here are some examples of long-running and deadly family feuds closer to home.
Anne Frank, and America’s dangerously shallow understanding of the Holocaust
The horrors perpetrated by the Nazis during World War II may be familiar to most of us, but one writer argues that we don’t really understand them.
Is Too Much Ambition Making You Miserable?
The negative effects of Macbeth’s overpowering ambition are obvious, but striving for success at all costs can be detrimental in smaller ways to all of us.
Why do we need heroes?
Read about why heroes from Odysseus to today continue to inspire us.
Modern Humans Retain Caveman’s Survival Instincts
Snakes and spiders top lists of things people fear, even though accidents and diseases are deadlier. The reason why harks back to the experiences of our early ancestors.
Why Black Panther’s representation matters, according to the cast
If tales of superheroes serve to inspire us and reflect what we value, they should represent all of us. Hear from the director and cast of the blockbuster movie.
Animal Intelligence
Get an overview of how intelligence appears across the animal world and why humans care so much about it.
This ASL interpreter steals the show at rap concerts
Until recently, the self-expression afforded by rap and hip-hop performances was unavailable to deaf audiences. With energetic and expressive sign language interpreters taking the stage along with the artists, that is changing.
How a Nuclear Meltdown Works
Nuclear meltdowns are very rare but dangerous. Read about how nuclear reactors work and what causes a meltdown.
An Act of Courage
Learn about the simple decision made by Rosa Parks in 1955 that helped inspire the Civil Rights movement. Scroll down to view the handwritten police report and other records from this event.