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.
An anthropologist’s extensive study of water scarcity in Mumbai reveals how such crises are often driven less by nature’s limits and more by human choices.
Why We Buy Weird Things in Times of CrisisWith COVID-19 making its way around the United States, people are emptying stores of toilet paper. Archaeology throws a light on other bouts of odd consumer behavior.
The Bitter Side of Cocoa ProductionAn anthropologist works to give producers a voice in the chocolate industry, taking a lesson from high-end coffee, wine, and cheese.
Corporate “Sorcerers” Reveal the Magical Power of CapitalismA company’s appropriation of an Indigenous ritual highlights the power of businesses to destroy traditions, community ties, and ecosystems.
Why Did Chinese Farmers Switch to Wheat?A shift in ancient Chinese crops shows how agricultural practices can help or hinder food production in the face of environmental change.
Archaeology of the 99 PercentThe vast majority of people in antiquity were too poor to leave many artifacts behind. But archaeologists have learned how to look beyond temples and palaces.
Without Parking, Those Who Live in Vehicles Have Nowhere to GoPeople who dwell in RVs or cars may have “homes”—but their lives are often unnecessarily precarious.
The Dark Side of Skin WhiteningA desire for lighter skin tones is deeply entrenched in many parts of the world, but it comes with equally deep risks to health and society.
Why Shamans Stand ApartModern-day shamans in a variety of sectors appear to tame uncertainty by embracing their otherness.
The Illusion and Peril of Food “Choice”It’s easy to blame obesity, diabetes, and other conditions on people’s poor diets. But the real culprit is multinational corporations that profit from limiting our food choices.
