Chilean American author Isabel Allende answers the question why writers write. Read why she shows up every day to make her voice heard.
Tag Archives: Culture & Society
A Life Lived in a Rapidly Changing World: Samuel L. Clemens, 1835 – 1910
Author Samuel Clemens used the pen name Mark Twain. Find out about why and how his work shaped his literary life.
Happiness Is Not Only an Individual Matter
Psychologist Paul Dolan argues that making societal improvements will improve individuals’ happiness.
U.S. Immigration Since 1965
The Immigration and Naturalization Act of 1965 eliminated the existing quota system and resulted in an increasingly diverse demographic.
Conquering Cliques in School
Cliques—small, exclusive social groups—make some students feel comfortable as they navigate the challenges of middle school and high school, but they may do so at the expense of the students who are left out. Some schools are now tackling this problem head-on.
Meet the Tenacious Gardeners Putting Down Roots in “America’s Most Desperate Town”
Community gardens have been springing up on blighted urban blocks for decades, but perhaps no city in America needs them more than Camden, New Jersey. Find out how community gardens are bringing together people from all walks of life to solve this city’s pressing problems.
Why Air Force Cadets Ought to Study Philosophy
An admiral realized that the Air Force Academy studies in STEM subjects should be balanced with humanities courses. Find out why the Academy thinks these courses will help young people as they grow into adulthood and face present-day challenges.
Fear Factor Gene Discovered
Did you know that scientists discovered a gene that influences the brain’s response to fear and danger? Read about it here.
Montana Offers A Boost To Native Language Immersion Programs
Thanks to a new Montana state bill more Native American kids will now have the opportunity to participate in language immersion classes in public schools. Read about it here.
One 9 year old’s dream for changing the world — with knitting
Read about a non-profit organization set up by a 9-year old girl to use knitting as a tool to help educate women around the world.
Horror Movies: Why People Love Them
Why do we enjoy horror? Read about the various theories put forward for the popularity of horror movies.
Harriet Tubman Wins Unofficial Vote to Be on $20 Bill
With more than 33 percent of ballots cast in an online poll, Harriet Tubman emerged as the face that people want to see on a new $20 bill.
As Life Slips By: Why Eye Movement Doesn’t Blur the Picture
A molecular “glue” has been discovered that builds the brain connections that keep visual images clear and still, even as objects or your eyes move.
The Hatfield & McCoy Feud
Like the Capulets and Montagues, the legendary Hatfield and McCoy feud featured long-standing and sometimes deadly conflict between families . . . and love between members of the feuding clans.
The Psychology of a Horror Movie Fan
Discover the reasons why people say they love horror movies, while others hate them.
How this guide dog helps one blind triathlete chase her Paralympic dream
Paralympic hopeful Amy Dixon describes how her guide dog Elvis has been an integral part of her success.
You can’t talk about millennials without mentioning this
A recent report describes how young, multicultural consumers having the spending power and longevity to influence the U.S. retail industry. Read about it here.
How pickpockets trick your mind
The key to a successful pickpocket isn’t sleight of hand, but knowing about how our brains work, according to neuroscientist Susana Martinez-Conde.
Who Was Edmund Pettus?
Just who was Edmund Pettus, and why was the famous bridge in Selma named for him? Find out here.
Does Success Breed Success?
In a 2014 study, a sociology research team at the State University of New York at Stony Brook found that one initial success leads to more success in the future.