What is peace?
Source: Aeon
Anthropologist Margaret Paxson writes about her struggle to quantify peace and ultimately argues that peace is knowable.
People
A Photographer Follows in Gandhi’s Footsteps
Source: National Geographic
See photos retracing the route of Gandhi’s famous Salt March and learn about the photographer’s experience in this interview.
The Epic Quest to Ride the World’s Biggest Wave
Source: Smithsonian
Follow the journey of Garret McNamara as he attempts to surf the dangerously large waves of Portugal.
U.S. immigrants get supersized
Source: NBC News
In 2011, researchers conducted a study to find out why people often gain weight after moving to the United States. They found that immigrants often choose unhealthy foods because they want to fit in to American culture.
The Courage And Ingenuity Of Freedom-Seeking Slaves In America
Source: NPR
In their desperation, runaway slaves found creative ways to hide and escape. This article tells the stories of slaves who shipped themselves to freedom in crates and of others who found safe haven in the Great Dismal Swamp of North Carolina.
When Does Adulthood Really Begin?
Source: The Atlantic
What is the biggest step toward becoming an adult? A poll taken in 2015 suggests that many people believe it has to do with financial independence.
This 14-year-old turned down a $30M buyout offer
Source: CNN Money
Have you ever thought about starting your own business? Read to learn about 14-year-old Taylor Rosenthal, whose idea to create a vending machine to sell first aid supplies has made him a successful young entrepreneur.
An Interview with Poet Patricia Smith
Source: Sampsonia Way
Patricia Smith harnesses the power of words in her work. In this interview, read about why Smith feels that poetry—especially when spoken aloud—has the power to change not only attitudes but also people’s lives.
How a book club is helping to keep ex-offenders from going back to jail
Source: The Washington Post
Reading books and writing poetry while in prison helped save Jimmy Santiago Baca from returning to a life of crime. A program in Washington, D.C., strives to make the same difference in the lives of prisoners.
How to Build a Happier Brain
Source: The Atlantic
There’s an old saying that people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be. A new book bolsters the idea that it’s not what you see but how you see it that matters most when it comes to happiness.