Arts & Culture
Here we cover the latest and most uplifting exhibitions, creative movements, and imaginative design to keep you inspired throughout your day.
Extra-long films are on the rise: here's why the intermission should be reinstated
As "Barbenheimer" (the fun portmanteau of Barbie and Oppenheimer) took the world by storm earlier this year, it illustrated the growing difficulty of sustaining long movie runs. With Oppenheimer clocking in at a whopping three hours, it became clear that we needed a way to deal with epic-length Read More...
Art preserves endangered flora in Himalayas—where conservation and culture collide
"In 2002, I was returning to Kalimpong in the eastern Himalaya region of India, and I found numerous trees had been cut down for a dam on the Teesta River at Kalijhora," recalls Hemlata Pradhan, an artist who had just completed her Master's in natural history illustration in London. This shocking Read More...
Combatting visual misinformation: an everyday user's guide for times of conflict
In times of war and conflict, the digital landscape becomes flooded with images and stories. However, many of these images are fraudulent or modified, making it difficult to tell fact from fiction. As regular people, we must assume ethical responsibility for the content we consume and distribute as Read More...
Samhain ─ Inside the pagan traditions of Halloween’s ancient precursor
Editors Note: We're dusting off our Halloween history Optimist View to honor the day! “The magic of Samhain is that of endless possibility. Since we return to the beginning, we can begin anew in any way we wish.” ~ Michael Furie BY Marvin Lanes Haunted houses, scary movies, and terrifying Read More...
American Women Quarters Program celebrates achievements of remarkable women
In a special run of quarters to be minted for 2025, the Treasury Department announced that five extraordinary women will have their own remarkable place on US coins. These individuals are the result of a four-year journey in the American Women’s Quarters Program, which was created to honor Read More...
Thrills and chills: how horror films can improve your mental health
The mere mention of legendary horror films such as "The Exorcist" and "Silent Night, Deadly Night" conjures up images of terror and revulsion. But did you know that, despite making spectators squirm and cringe, some films may be beneficial to their mental health? In this investigation, we look into Read More...
Clucking good music: New Zealand Symphony Orchestra plays music for chickens
A rather peculiar audience gathered on a peaceful morning at a gorgeous Hawke's Bay farm in New Zealand to witness a remarkable musical performance. Members of the prestigious New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, who are usually seen in magnificent concert halls, had donned their gleaming black attire Read More...
Unesco and Interpol launch a revolutionary virtual museum of stolen cultural artifacts
Unesco, the United Nations' cultural authority, collaborated with Interpol to build the world's first virtual museum dedicated to the issue of stolen cultural objects and the need to safeguard cultural heritage. The effort, which is set to launch in 2025, intends to raise public awareness about the Read More...
Meet Susan Murabana, the astronomer bringing the cosmos to Kenyan youth
A celestial display unfolds beneath the velvety African night sky, amidst the peace of Kenya's isolated Samburu county. It’s 1:30 AM in mid-August, and 50 enthralled individuals lie on the dry riverbed, their eyes turned heavenwards, entranced by the stars. The Milky Way arcs gracefully across Read More...
New York schools commit to nurturing mental health through mindful breathing
Meet Noah Hill, a third-grader at Brooklyn's Dr. Ronald E. McNair Public School 5. He's discovered a simple yet significant technique for finding peace in the midst of chaos: "Breathe in through your nose, and breathe out with a whisper," he says. This technique, known as "ocean breathing," has Read More...