Topics
History
Calvin Trillin’s Freedom Ride
Author / Journalist
Calvin Trillin's most memorable journalism moment was his ride on the first Freedom Ride bus into Jackson, Mississippi.
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Jokes as we know them today are a relatively recent invention, says New Yorker cartoon editor Robert Mankoff. In fact, modern humor draws its roots to back only to the post-war United States Watch
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Ta-Nehisi Coates Explores African American History and Literature
The counter-narratives written by black historians and social scientists helped Coates to understand his identity. Watch
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Eric Foner on Lincoln’s Education
The author describes an insatiable autodidact. Watch
Related Blogs
The View From Europe
November 11, 2009 — 8:08 PM
A Not-So-Happy Anniversary of the Velvet Revolution
Next week marks the 20th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution, the series of non-violent protests that directly preceeded the overthrow of the Czech Republic's Communist government. Some have dubbed it the "Gentle Revolution," but its 20th anniversary is serving as little besides a stage on which current Czech President Vaclav Klaus and former President Vaclav Havel can re-hash their longtime rivalries. Read more
Mind Matters
October 27, 2009 — 4:33 AM
Today is the 47th anniversary of the day a courageous Soviet submarine officer, Vasili Arkhipov, probably saved the world from nuclear armageddon. Read more
Latest Ideas
Life After War in Sierra Leone
Ishmael Beah shares his own experience of being a child soldier. Read More
November 19, 2009
Libertarianism Is Just a Small Thorn
Libertarians are not a threat to the GOP: It is not easy to build a large coalition against gun control and for gay marriage. Read More
November 18, 2009
Though the father of modern capitalism is generally associated with the virtues of self-interest, he also possessed a deep moral concern for our responsibility to help others. According to the founder of Year Up, this second aspect of the free market system is finally taking hold, and its effects on society will be momentous. Read More
November 15, 2009
Why Cornel West Beat up His Third Grade Teacher
His teacher slapped him when he didn’t salute the flag, and he hit her back. Read More
November 9, 2009
The LinkedIn founder on his childhood influences, professional mistakes and the worst advice he’s ever received. Read More
November 4, 2009
How Elizabeth II Keeps the Monarchy Relevant
Journalist Robert Lacey returns to one of his most famous subjects, Elizabeth II; he discusses her unique contributions to the monarchy, the future of British royals, and why a queen is worth a pint of milk a year. Read More
October 29, 2009
The Accidental Particle Physicist
Melissa Franklin never had any intention of becoming one of the world’s leading particle physicists. She says went into the field because “she wasn’t smart enough” to do anything else, and was lured by having the chance to build things, play with computers, and philosophize all in one job. Read More
October 27, 2009
The Making of a Scientific Legend
After spending the first years of his life in an Anglican household in Nairobi, the path was in no way clear for Richard Dawkins to become a scientist. Here the legendary evolutionary biologist chronicles his passion for the field, describing his first discovery as well as his favorite research project. Read More
October 26, 2009
Big Think Interview with Caroline Weber
A conversation with the fashion historian and professor of French Literature at Barnard. Read More
October 21, 2009
Daily Ideafeed
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Landscape
Distinct Extinct -
New research has revealed how the extinction of mammoths and mastodons changed the landscape of the earth.
November 20, 2009
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Hawaii
Super Submarine -
A super-submarine left over from the Second World War has been found in Hawaii.
November 19, 2009
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To The Letter
Respectfully, Lincoln -
A letter written by former US president Abraham Lincoln to a schoolboy around 150 years ago is to go on sale.
November 18, 2009
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Myotragus
“Mouse Goat” -
According to a new study, a now-extinct breed of miniature goats had bones that resemble a crocodile’s.
November 18, 2009
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Cultural Property?
Age and Antiquities -
Should archaeological artifacts remain in the country in which they were found – or does the law of “finder’s keepers” prevail?
November 17, 2009
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Savant Lagrange
Fluid Pattern -
Building on the studies of Joseph-Louis Lagrange, a picture of coherent structures in fluids is emerging using advanced technologies.
November 16, 2009
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Inside View
Living With Osama -
A new book by Osama Bin Laden’s first wife and son give an insiders’ view on one of the world’s most notorious terrorists.
November 16, 2009
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China’s View
Tibetan Slavery? -
In a bid to win US sympathy, China’s government has argued that the “liberation” of Tibet is comparable to the abolition of slavery by Lincoln.
November 13, 2009
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No Danger
Brown Pelican -
The brown pelican has been removed from the endangered species list after a century of special protection.
November 12, 2009
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Apology
Tribal Justice? -
President Obama tells tribal leaders that he knows what it is to be ignored and forgotten.
November 6, 2009
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Jurassic
You’re How old? -
An examination of a Proceratosaurus skull suggests the Tyrannosaurus rex dinosaur is millions of years older than first thought.
November 5, 2009
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Blood Let
Pain and Simple -
A short stroll through the International Museum of Surgical Science in Chicago reminds us of the blood curdling medicine of yore.
November 2, 2009
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News Sport
Public Gutting -
Author Janet Malcom’s book discusses the “morally indefensible” career of journalism in an industry which turns guttings into a spectator sport.
October 29, 2009
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Civil Rights
Up From History -
Now that the US has an African American president what does civil rights activist Booker T. Washington still offer?
October 26, 2009
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Still ‘Missing Link’
Debunking Ida -
The fossilised mammal discovered last May and hailed as the primate to human ‘missing link’ has been debunked.
October 22, 2009
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Social Soda
Free COLA! -
George F. Will compare’s Obama’s social policies to the COLA manifesto promulgated by Wilbur Mills a century ago.
October 22, 2009