Culture & Religion — July 25, 2014

Ewoks Unmasked

A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

From Stars Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi, America’s second favorite Star Wars film according to this poll by FiveThirtyEight, a family of Ewoks take off their masks on the 1982 set. Episode VII is expected to be released in December 2015.

Image via Historical Pics

A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

An older man with white hair and a suit receives a document from another man in a robe during an event, as several people look on in the background. In the age of viral misquotes, capturing such moments accurately becomes ever more crucial.

High Culture

Einstein didn’t say that: How viral misquotes evolve and replicate

From Einstein to Twain, Garson O’Toole investigates the truth behind your favorite — and often misattributed — quotes.

A blurred black-and-white image of an American flag, with the stars and stripes visibly distorted, subtly reflecting political polarization.

The Present

Divided we stand: The rise of political animosity

“We’re acting more like fans of a football team going to a game than a banker carefully choosing investments.”

High Culture

How the internet changed news, according to The Onion

What you can learn about media by parodying it from the print era into the digital age.

A monochrome portrait of a man against a blue gradient background, evoking the intense drama of House of the Dragon. Features partial text overlays on the left and right sides.

High Culture

From fan to showrunner: How “House of the Dragon” creator Ryan Condal landed TV’s biggest job

Ryan Condal, who worked in pharmaceutical advertising before Hollywood, talks with Big Think about imposter syndrome, “precrastination,” and Westeros lore.

Person holding an open, empty brown wallet with both hands, outdoors.

The Past

The deep and enduring history of universal basic income

While the concept stretches back centuries, it has garnered significant attention in recent decades.

Up Next

Words of Wisdom

Alain de Botton on Creativity

“My greatest joy comes from creativity: from feeling that I have been able to identify a certain aspect of human nature and crystallise a phenomenon in words.” – Alain de Botton