Culture & Religion — August 5, 2014

Lord of the Rings: The First Page

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According to Historical Pics, this is the original first page–from 1937–of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings

The most surprising and impactful new stories delivered to your inbox every week, for free.

A man wearing a beanie and dark clothing sits with one arm resting on his knee, inside a blue rectangular frame on a light background with abstract lines, embodying the cool, thoughtful vibe of King Willonius.

Books

The 6 books that changed King Willonius’ life

The comedian and musician behind the viral hit “BBL Drizzy” shares the books that shaped his thinking and approach to art.

Cover of "Target Earth" by Govert Schilling shows a meteor entering Earth's atmosphere, hinting at cosmic catastrophe. The book explores the world of meteorites, asteroids, and comets. Text reads "an excerpt from.

The Past

How scientists unearthed the cosmic catastrophe that paved the way for humanity

If an asteroid hadn’t killed off the dinosaurs, humans would almost certainly have never walked the Earth.

Colorful abstract depiction of a human silhouette surrounded by layered, radiant patterns in various colors against a textured background.

The Past

The long history of the human aura

From religious iconography to modern mysticism, the human aura has been a subject of fascination across centuries and cultures.

An older man with a white beard sits in a room, wearing a light blue shirt, hands clasped together. Bookshelves and artwork are visible in the background.

The Future

Kevin Kelly points a new way forward into the Age of AI

One of the most original and optimistic thinkers in America sketches some big ideas about what’s possible with AI in the next 25 years.

An illustration of a Martian Revolution showcases a colony with astronauts tending to plants in a greenhouse embedded in the surface, under a red sky with two suns.

The Future

Mike Duncan chronicles the history of the future Martian Revolution

Most people think that writing fantasy or science-fiction requires a strong imagination. Podcast host Mike Duncan shows a knowledge of real-world history is just as important.

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