Eyewitness testimony can be really important when investigating crimes, but how can we make them more reliable? SciShow looks at the scientific and psychological evidence around several ways in which your memory can fail–and how we may be able to minimize these effects.
Tag Archives: Culture & Society
How Currency Works
Have you ever wondered just what, exactly, money is? We earn it. We spend it. But why do we all agree that one little piece of green paper is only worth a bag of chips and a different piece of green paper is worth a full, fancy dinner? This article takes a look at currency, what it is, how it got started, and what forms it might take in the future.
An 85-year Harvard study found the No. 1 thing that makes us happy in life: It helps us ‘live longer’
Researchers found that having positive relationships with the people in our lives is a key contributing factor to our overall health and happiness. Click here to learn more.
For Holocaust survivors in the U.S., more than remembrance is needed
Holocaust survivors have incredibly important stories to tell, and it’s imperative we protect those stories, as well as the people behind them.
3,000 migrants begin walk north from south Mexico
In the wake of a tragic fire, migrants rally to end the suffering caused by detention centers.
9 Legends of American Folklore
Words like “myth” and “legend” often make you think of stories from thousands of years ago, but new legends are always being created. America is no exception, with a number of popular myths spreading during the 1800s as the country expanded westward. This article provides a high-level summary of nine of the most well-known American frontier legends–some entirely fictional, but some based on exaggerations around real people and events.
A Brief Introduction to Gothic Literature
You may have heard of ‘Gothic horror,’ but do you know what makes a story ‘Gothic’ or not? This resources provides a quick, high-level breakdown of key elements, themes, and techniques that can earn a story the label of ‘Gothic,’ as well as a few examples of famous Gothic horror stories you can read on your own.
How do you make a mummy? Ancient Egyptians’ surprising formulas revealed
Have you ever wondered how ancient Egyptian mummies remain so well preserved? Recently discovered jars may hold the answer.
The shortest American Civil War summary you’ll ever read
Key dates and events are highlighted in this brief, informative overview of the American Civil War.
Surviving copies of Shakespeare’s First Folio to go on show
Many of Shakespeare’s works might be lost to us forever had they not been preserved in a collection of published manuscripts known as the First Folio.
1776 Musical brings vibrant nontraditional casting of founding fathers to stage at DCPA
Read about how 1776, a musical about the founding fathers, takes on a modern and thought-provoking twist through its most diverse cast to date.
The Dunning-Kruger Effect, or ‘why incompetent people think they’re amazing’
How good are you at basketball? What about playing an instrument? Psychological research suggests we’re not actually very good at evaluating our own abilities accurately. In fact, we frequently overestimate our own abilities thanks to something known as the Dunning-Kruger Effect.
What is imposter syndrome and how can you combat it?
Feelings that one is a fraud who doesn’t deserve their success, known as imposter syndrome, is an extremely common phenomenon. Why can’t so many of us shake feelings that our ideas and skills aren’t worthy of others’ attention?
How Ads (and People) Persuade You
If you can recognize when you’re being persuaded, it’s a lot easier to make sure your opinions are actually your own.
Citizen future: Why we need a new story of self and society
The authors of this article recommend major changes in the way we think about the individual and society.
A discovery of Holocaust-era photos helps a Jewish family connect with its past
Read about how an unlikely discovery and fate worked together to shed light on a Jewish family’s experiences during the Holocaust.
‘Queen of Salsa’ has her own US quarter
Celia Cruz, a Cuban American Salsa legend, continues to make her mark on American History.
Female Naval aviators flying high to make history at the Super Bowl
Watch this video clip to learn more about these amazing female pilots and the enduring legacy of women in aviation.
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.
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.