How long did “business as usual” last under the Third Reich? A concrete look at daily life in Nazi Germany and what comparisons to modern politics get wrong.
What If FDR’s CCC Had Never Existed?
What if FDR’s Civilian Conservation Corps never existed? A counterfactual look at forests, parks, jobs, and American politics without the “tree army.”
The Lonely Sunfish: What A Mola Taught Us About Zoos
A Japanese sunfish stopped eating when visitors disappeared during renovations. Staff fixed it with photos of human faces. What really happened and why it matters.
5 Funny Truths About Movie Sound Effects
From Hayden Christensen making lightsaber noises to coconuts for horse hooves, here are 5 surprising truths about how movie sound effects really get made.
Robin Williams, Suicide, and the Lifeline Surge
After Robin Williams’ suicide in 2014, the U.S. suicide hotline had its busiest day ever. How did one death double calls and change how we talk about suicide?
Ziggurat of Ur vs Dur Kurigalzu: Same Shape, Different Story
They look similar, but the Ziggurat of Ur and Dur Kurigalzu were built centuries apart for different empires and gods. Here’s how their stories compare.
What If Ellora Had Become India’s Great Capital?
Ellora’s rock-cut caves are a marvel. But what if this temple complex had become a major capital or religious center? Three grounded scenarios, one winner.
Dick Van Dyke at 100: How a Nice Guy Changed Comedy
Born December 13, 1925, Dick Van Dyke went from Missouri kid to TV and film icon. How did he change comedy, musicals, and what “family entertainment” means?
Victoria Woodhull: The First Woman to Run for President
Victoria Claflin Woodhull was the first women to ever run for president in the United States … Victoria Woodhull: The First Woman to Run for PresidentRead more
Yale’s Nazi-Looted Manuscript: 5 Things to Know
Yale returned a medieval manuscript looted by Nazis from Poland. Here are 5 key things about what was stolen, how it was found, and why it matters today.