Celia Cruz, a Cuban American Salsa legend, continues to make her mark on American History.
Tag Archives: Arts & Entertainment
Talos the First Robot
There’s a lot of talk in the news these days about advances in robotics and artificial intelligence. But, while the technology is new, the ideas for it are not. Many scholars consider the Greek myth of Talos to be the first representation of a robot in literature and art. Watch this video to learn more about this ancient, and powerful, mechanical man.
The zombie fungus from ‘The Last Of Us’ is real — but not nearly as deadly
There’s been a lot of fungus talk in the news after the popular Last of Us video game became a popular TV show. In the show, people are turned into zombies by a new form of fungus that takes over their brains. And guess what? It’s real! Well, sort of–it’s only real for insects. Should we be worried? Or do fungi do more to help humans than harm them?
Adventures in 21st Century Copyright — AI-generated comic artwork loses US Copyright protection
It seems artificial intelligence is everywhere these days, and the world of art is no exception. This has led to many questions, such as “can AI-generated art be copyrighted?” Courts have started to weigh-in and so far, the answer seems to be that machine generated art should not get the same protections as human-created images.
‘Evil Genius’: Mind-Bending Illusion Built Into Skyline Confuses Internet
Don’t let this optical illusion fool you. You won’t need to press play when you see this skyline illusion.
From Biggie to Kendrick: super-producer Pete Rock on hip-hop’s golden ages
Learn about all about music producer Pete Rock’s incredible career and influence in the music industry.
Pigcasso: Pot-Bellied Pig Produces Award-Winning Art In Mokelumne Hill
Pigs are known for being highly intelligent animals, but this pig is known for her creativity, too.
Theater Experience in Shakespeare’s Lifetime
Today we study Shakespeare in school and often see his plays in formal settings, but is that how they were meant to be experienced? Learn more about what going to see a play was really like when Shakespeare’s theater company put them on stage for the first time.
Edgar Allan Poe’s ‘The Lake’
Many people know Edgar Allen Poe for his short stories, but did you know he was a poet, as well? Many of his poems play with the same themes as his stories, including one he dedicated to an unknown person and that scholars believe was written about a real-life haunted lake…
Half Human, Half Beast: Mythological Figures of Ancient Times
Mythology from around the world is full of creatures that are half-animal and half-human. It is the perfect blend of mankind and nature. Here are 10 examples of half-human monsters from mythology and how they originated.
Jack London Biography
In this biography, learn how Jack London’s adventurous life inspired his novels and stories.
Re-imagining Shakespeare’s plays in virtual reality game
It’s not likely that you think of Shakespeare and video games at the same time, but that may be about to change!
Why we’ll always be obsessed with – and afraid of – monsters
Read one author’s take on our “age of fear” and the rise of the zombie.
The Benefits of Optimism Are Real
In this article, Emily Esfahani Smith examines two films, Silver Linings Playbook and Life of Pi, to delve into the relationship between optimism and resilience.
The guitarist who saved hundreds of people on a sinking cruise liner
Heroes can often come in unexpected forms. Read about how this musician’s act of courage prevented an accident from becoming a tragedy.
What Inspired ‘The Legend of Sleepy Hollow’?
Some legends are ancient, but others have risen more recently. Read the history and inspiration of one of America’s first–and most enduring–ghost stories, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.
Malorie Blackman’s ‘dynamic imaginary worlds’ win her the PEN Pinter prize
Learn about this incredible author’s commitment to representation and justice through storytelling.
9 Virtual Tours of Shakespearean Spots
William Shakespeare is widely considered to be the greatest writer in the English language and now, thanks to modern technology, you can explore some of the most iconic places from the playwright’s life, and the locations said to have inspired him, from the comfort of your own home.
Why is Being Scared so Fun?
Every year in America, nearly 30 million people visit haunted houses and horror movies bring in over half a billion dollars at the theater. Why do people like to be scared? Watch this video with Margee Kerr about the biology and psychology of being scared—and why being scared can be a good thing.
The Most Amazing Optical Illusions (and How They Work)
Thanks to modern neuroscience, we can understand the brain processes that take place we encounter some visual illusions. Explore this collection of popular illusions and find out how they work.