Author Randall Munroe answers readers’ questions about lightning—not necessarily in ways that calm their fears.
Author Archives: Mikki Gibson
Effects of the Black Death
The bubonic plague ravaged the European population in the 14th century. In its aftermath, societal structures were upended, in many cases for the better.
The Kindness of Strangers
A psychology professor tries to get to the bottom of why we do good things for others, even when these acts don’t seem to benefit us directly.
Fridtjof Nansen
Fridtjof Nansen would have been a hero in his native Norway if he had only been a brilliant scientist or an intrepid explorer or an innovative diplomat or a life-saving humanitarian. But he was all of these, and more.
The Mystery of the Bermuda Triangle May Finally Be Solved
The source of many bizarre tales, this area of the Atlantic Ocean has claimed a surprising number of ships and planes. But it’s not sea monsters or extraterrestrials causing the chaos.
Art Therapy: Self-Expression Reduces Stress
Read about why expressing yourself shouldn’t be considered a luxury. Then find tips for ways to work self-expression into your daily life.
Manga ‘Macbeth’, graphic novel ‘Romeo’, it’s Shakespeare for 21st century readers
Find out about some unexpected recent adaptations of Shakespeare’s works.
We use big data to sentence criminals. But can the algorithms really tell us what we need to know?
You might be surprised to learn that computer programs are used to help determine the length of a prison sentence. The question is whether that’s a good idea.
How the homeless create homes
Although some people may view the homeless as very different from themselves, we all find ways to make a place for ourselves in the world.
Between Boredom and Terror: One U.S. Soldier’s Letters from Afghanistan
Letters home from soldiers reveal a mix of the mundane and the devastating. Learn about a book in which one soldier compiled letters documenting his unlikely military journey.
Natural disasters — statistics & facts
Get the big picture of types and impacts of natural disasters by clicking around this page. You’ll find graphs ranking disasters by type, location, damage done, and much more.
Romeo and Juliet’s balcony scene
Despite the popularity of the balcony scene in popular imagination, Shakespeare never mentions a balcony in any of his works. Find out why this idea persists.
Facebook Catches Two Chatbots Speaking Their Own Language
Technology companies have been experimenting with using artificial intelligence to communicate with users. Should we be worried?
How Green Buildings Could Save Our Cities
When you think of nature, you probably don’t think of cities. But new building methods can help cities work as part of nature in ways that benefit everyone.
Spoken Without Words: Poetry with ASL SLAM
Learn about how people can express themselves on stage without ever saying a word out loud.
Loneliest Human
Author Randall Munroe explores how far people have been from their fellow humans and how they may have felt about that distance.
5 Super Simple Ways to Get to Know Your Neighbors
Remember the children’s song about the people in your neighborhood? Try these tips to make connections with the real-life people in your neighborhood and have fun in the process.
Watergate Scandal
Scheming to increase power didn’t start with Macbeth and didn’t end with Nixon. Read about the latter’s career-ending crimes.
Green Energy Will Overtake Fossil Fuels by 2020, Morgan Stanley Analyst States
Although much attention is paid to how countries make laws concerning fossil fuels such as oil, gas, and coal, that’s not how change will be made. Instead, companies are increasingly seeing the financial sense renewable energy makes.
20 Writing Tips from Fiction Authors
What makes for a great story? Find out from the pros.