Tag Archives: People

Why I’m rowing across the Pacific

Roz Savage was the first woman to row solo across three oceans. Here, she talks about how her first voyage; how it came about that she gave up her normal life to row solo across the Atlantic, the obstacles that she faced, and how she overcame them.

Ai Weiwei Alcatraz tour: Legos, protest songs and prison cells

Although detained in China for being critical of the Chinese government, Ai Weiwei still manages to create art supporting human rights and free speech. Read this photo essay about a visit to Alcatraz, a former military prison, and view Weiwei’s art made of Legos that speaks up for people from around the world who were imprisoned or exiled from their countries.

On Stephen Hawking, Vader, and Being More Machine Than Human

In this article, author and anthropologist Helene Mialet analyzes the relationship between humans and machines as it existed for scientist Stephen Hawking.

Property Brothers: Living the Dream

Selling hangers and buying a house for a $250 down-payment were two important decisions for the Property Brothers. They offer suggestions about how to make other decisions in your life.

How to Survive a Disaster

It’s hard to predict how we’ll react in a crisis until one occurs. Some people spring into action, while others freeze. Find out how you can prepare yourself to respond well when things go wrong.

Don’t think too positive

In her research, psychology professor Gabriele Oettingen has found that overly-positive thinking actually disincentives people from achieving their goals. She suggests pairing positive thinking with visualizations of obstacles that stand in the way.

Manning up: Men may overcompensate when their masculinity is threatened

A study conducted at Stanford University shows that men lie about their height and other traits when they feel their masculinity is threatened.

The Complexities of Global Protests

The brief found at the top right of the link summarizes this report’s analysis of global protests since the mid-2000s. Click “Annex” for a chart that lists dozens of protest movements from 2010-2015 and their motivations.

Teens’ Penchant For Risk-Taking May Help Them Learn Faster

Most people tend to categorize the risk-taking behaviors of teenagers as a bad thing, but new research from Harvard University shows that brain development at that age can be beneficial for learning.

Is 8th Grade Too Early to Pick a Career?

Think you’re too young to start thinking about your professional life? Read this article to learn about a program in South Carolina that offers career counseling to eighth-grade students.

6 takeaways about teen friendships in the digital age

Check out this article to see the findings of a 2015 report that examined how digital technology affects friendships between teenagers.

Anne Frank Who? Museums Combat Ignorance About the Holocaust

Will Anne Frank ever be forgotten? As the Holocaust fades further into history, some historians are working to make sure that future generations don’t get the facts wrong or lose sight of its importance.

Immigration, Migration, Identity at Center Stage in 2017 Smithsonian Folklife Festival

The annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington, D.C., highlights the cultural diversity of American communities. Read to learn more about this colorful event that brings many cultures together in the nation’s capital.

12 issues almost all Americans agree on

If it sometimes seems like Americans will never agree with each other, think again. Here’s a look at some surprising poll results.

Are some facial expressions universal across cultures?

Cultures around the globe may have different approaches to social interactions, but the meanings of many facial expressions are the same.

Power Makes People Happy

Researchers say that the human need for power is less a desire to control others and more a wish to be free from others’ control.

How did the advent of television impact politics?

In today’s media-saturated political climate, it’s hard to imagine a world in which in news about government policies, court cases, and elected officials was relegated to print news sources. Read this article to learn about some of the ways in which television has impacted American politics.

Extraordinary Artist Stephen Wiltshire Sees Cities Once, Draws Detailed Panoramas From Memory

Artist Stephen Wiltshire is know around the world for his detailed panoramas of cities drawn from memory. Read this article to find out how his autism may help him focus his brain to produce such extraordinarily detailed works. Then click on the link to view a slideshow of his drawings.