In this interview, author Etgar Keret explains how giving ice cream to a crying child showed him the value of living in the moment.
Tag Archives: Culture & Society
Why many teens don’t want to get a driver’s license
For many people your parents’ age and older, getting a driver’s license at age 16 was a rite of passage. Read about some reasons why today’s teenagers aren’t that interested in getting behind the wheel.
The Dawn of the Singularity
Look at the infographic to see a timeline of Ray Kurzweil’s predictions for the future of mankind and technology.
How Pixar’s ‘Wall-E’ Predicts the Future
WALL-E, a Pixar animated film, provides a warning for mindless consumerism and excessive waste.
The Defiant Ones
Imagine if simply going to school was an act of defiance. For the women in the article, it was. Read the article to learn more about the battles fought for desegregation.
Can a Video Game Capture the Magic of Walden?
Can a video game inspired by Walden inspire you to “live deliberately”? Read the article and watch the game trailer here to make your own judgement.
What Are Ag-Gag Laws and Why Are They Dangerous?
Whistleblowers have cause for alarm due to “ag-gag” laws that prohibit undercover videos of farm activity. While the videos have the potential to harm the agriculture industry, they can also expose illegal and immoral activities.
Documentary explores US exclusion of Chinese in the 1800s
American immigration policy has always been a contentious issue. Read this article, which details a history of exclusionary actions against Chinese immigrants, to gain a better understanding of America’s tumultuous past.
A Time of Reckoning
What happened after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued? Learn about the various organizations formed and laws passed to help transition African Americans out of slavery, and consider how successful those efforts were.
Special report: Truth, justice and reconciliation
How does a nation seek justice and peace after a terrible national conflict? Explore how seven countries have addressed their troubled histories.
Daddy Track: The Case for Paternity Leave
Many working parents struggle with developing a strong work-life balance. Some states are beginning to offer extended paternity leave, which could change how fathers—and mothers—balance raising children and having careers.
How Regulation Really Does Change Eating Behavior
Can laws make people healthier? A nutrition professor at New York University shares her perspective on the effectiveness of regulation in improving eating behaviors and public health.
Peaceful protest is much more effective than violence for toppling dictators
This article and accompanying presentation explore political scientist Erica Chenoweth’s research on how peaceful protest is often much more successful than violence for making changes.
John Muir’s legacy questioned
The work of environmentalist John Muir helped create the national parks system and preserve the natural beauty throughout the country. Now some question whether his view of nature is relevant to today’s challenges.
How Alaska Natives created an Xbox game to preserve, spread their culture
A local council of Alaska Native groups took a story passed down by generations of the Inupiaq tribe and turned it into a video game. The game has already won several awards and has introduced the culture to a wider audience.
Advantages of Being Bicultural
Culture and belonging aren’t all or nothing. Learn about the concrete benefits of identifying with two or more cultures.
Pop Culture’s Undying Edgar Allan Poe Obsession
There’s no question that Edgar Allan Poe has made a lasting impression on American popular culture. This article uses the release of a movie about a dangerous obsession with Poe to take a look back at the author’s pop culture legacy.
Seven Time Management Strategies from Some Brilliant Teenage Prodigies
Does it seem as if there is never enough time to get all your work done? Everyone has the same number of hours a week, but these teens manage their time well. Read their strategies for fitting in time for work and play.
The Influence of Machiavelli on Shakespeare
The Renaissance Italian writer Niccolò Machiavelli explored ideas about power in his still-controversial book The Prince. His work not only influenced political leaders, though; it also influenced the work of William Shakespeare a century later.
About the Brothers Grimm and Fairytales
Once upon a time, fairy tales weren’t for children. They weren’t even written down. Read this history to learn how much fairy tales—even the ones with which we’re most familiar—have changed over time. Be sure to follow the links to older versions of the tales, and find out for yourself!