While the magazine has closed, its living archive endures—open to all and preserving the many ideas, voices, and discoveries that deepen our understanding of what it means to be human.
Imagine a simple three-dimensional object that uses mathematics, history, accounting, and language to keep track of an amazing array of information. The Inca invented one over 500 years ago in Peru.
In the Wake of Hurricane Maria, Memes Carry More Than a Little TruthAfter a catastrophe, a community’s spirit can be seen in the memes that go viral online.
Letting Silence Have a Voice in #MeTooStorytelling plays a vital role in addressing sexual assault, but what of the safety and well-being of survivors—both those who speak out and those who don’t?
What If Machines Could Learn the Way Children Do?Modern-day machines, such as Siri and Amazon’s Alexa, lack intelligence and empathy. Insights from hunter-gatherer communities could pave the way toward more sophisticated gadgets.
How Have Attitudes Toward Extremism Changed Over Time?Language exerts a powerful influence on our perceptions of the world. Looking closely at the way we use words can reveal deep-seated cultural biases.
Learning to Trust Machines That LearnWhat can studies of human relationships tell us about whether or not we should trust artificial intelligence?
Combatting Stereotypes About Appalachian DialectsFar from being “the rude language of the mountains,” the diversity of Appalachian dialects reveals a complex history of cultural change.
Primate Vocalizations Are Much More Than GibberishNonhuman primates clearly do more than just screech meaningless sounds at each other, but what are the limits of their communication?
How to Host an ExtraterrestrialYou might be a superb host to human guests, but if an alien showed up on your doorstep looking for some hospitality, would your usual offerings be enough?
Why Do We Keep Using the Word “Caucasian”?When a term signifies something that does not exist, we need to examine our use of it.
