Culture & Religion — November 25, 2010

The End of the Automobile Era?

Are Americans as car crazy as they were in the ’70s? There’s growing evidence that young people, for one, are less enamored of driving than their parents were.

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In 1976, three-quarters of all 17-year-olds had drivers’ licenses. By 2008, that was down to 49 percent. … The shift in mood partly reflects worries about the environment and the price of gas. But there also seems to be a technological aspect, too. Once upon a time, newly licensed teens would pile all their friends into their new used car and drive around aimlessly. Nowadays, teens can socialize via Facebook or texting instead—in a recent survey, over half of all young adults said they’d rather chat online than drive to meet their friends.

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Culture & Religion

Europe, human and virtual or Middle Ages?

Europe has wisdom, sense, spirits and a good virtue. Yet, it appears that she disorderly managed valuable values. It is the time now to reinvent these and to work together on widening and deepening, due to believes in our prosperity and welfare.

A golden-brown turkey being carefully lowered into a metal pot outdoors, ready for a deep fry amidst the grassy area and wooden fence.

Starts With A Bang

What happens if you deep fry a frozen turkey?

It’s the ultimate setup for a Thanksgiving Day disaster. The physics of water and its solid, liquid, and gas phases compels us not to do it.

A green and abstract background with connected molecular diagrams and labeled sections: "Building block" and "Assembly pool," with an "Assembly index: 8.

13.8

The pre-life puzzle: Tracing the rise of complexity in a lifeless world

We need a “theory that explains the evolution of evolution,” argues theoretical physicist Sara Imari Walker.

The Present

Microplastic overload: Is cutting production the only realistic way to curb pollution?

On November 25, U.N. members will meet in South Korea to cap off a series of meetings aiming to reduce global plastic pollution.

Collage of architectural designs: a detailed stone arch with sculptures reflecting ancient architecture, an ornate geometric pattern, and a faded image of the Taj Mahal.

The Long Game

Why every long-term investor should study ancient architecture

Magnificent time-tested buildings are filled with lessons in resilience and stability — and the benefits for investment strategy can be huge.

Up Next

Surprising Science

Learning to Love Radiation

Studies show that radiation can promote longevity and heal our bodies faster. So why don’t we rethink our relationship with atomic power? The Independent reports.