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During the siege of Leningrad, a group of Russian botanists holed up in a secret vault starved to death rather than consume the greatest collection of seeds they were guarding for a post-apocalyptic world. Worse, Nikolay Vavilov, the man who had collected the seeds, also died of hunger in Stalin’s…

In this article, originally a video essay on the YouTube channel “Formscapes”, the authors delve into the intricate evolution of two monumental science fiction universes, examining the cultural and philosophical underpinnings that led to the decline of the Star Wars franchise and the emerging prominence of Dune. Through a comprehensive…

What does it truly mean to apologize and forgive? In this essay, Agnes Callard argues that both actions transcend mere expressions of regret or absolution, elevating into the realm of “social miracles” – instances where human beings achieve the seemingly impossible by navigating the intricate dance of avowal and disavowal.…

In this article, originally a video essay by the channel “Pursuit of Wonder” on YouTube, we explore the role money has in society, its affects on our individual lives, the challenges associated with acquiring it, and the paradoxes often found when using it. Do we need money in life to…

Through Nilanjana Bose’s evocative narrative, this article navigates personal recollections and societal transformations, illustrating how power outages facilitated a unique intimacy with our surroundings and each other. It delves into the nostalgia of a simpler time, where darkness was a canvas for imagination, storytelling, and the appreciation of life’s subtler…

A tool of cold tricksters or wise therapists? Whether divining ancient wisdoms or elevating the art of cold reading, tarot is a form of therapy, much like psychoanalysis. In this exploration of the history of tarot, James McConnachie explores the positives and negatives of this popular form of cartomancy. Cards…

Coyotes, dingoes and wolves are all dogs, as intelligent and loyal as our familiars. Our treatment of them is unconscionable. Photographed by Pamela Underhill Karaz Drinking her coffee one sunny winter morning, Pamela Karaz looked out the window of her home in upstate New York and saw a coyote walking…

Most of the time, cats come across as utterly indifferent. They don’t seem to care about other cats and aren’t too attached to their owners. But does this mean that cats are immoral, heartless creatures? Are cats, from a philosophical viewpoint, devoid of ethics and virtue? Most of us would…