How to Relieve Stress at the World’s Beautiful Zen Gardens

From Japan to the U.S., these microcosms of rock, moss, and tree offer answers to the introspective.

Trespassing, Vandalism Abound in National Parks Affected by Coronavirus

As the pandemic closes many sites, some visitors test the limits—while staff and local businesses try to cope.

Be Wary of a Model That Shows a Decline in COVID-19 Deaths

Really.

Remembering Freeman Dyson

In our conversations, he ventured far and wide across science, literature and politics, offering unorthodox ideas with a bracing self-confidence.

How a Nuclear Submarine Officer Learned to Live in Tight Quarters

You get comfortable being uncomfortable.

It’s Hard to Fool a Nose

Theories of perception are heavily tilted to the visual: we have much to learn from our surprisingly acute sense of smell.

We are Wayfinders

Navigation and spatial awareness sustained humans for tens of thousands of years. Have we lost the trail in modern times?

How the Coronavirus Could Create a New Working Class

Experts predict the outbreak will lead to a rise in populism. But will workers turn their rage toward corporate CEOs, or middle-class “elites”?

Coronavirus: Black Death Rumours and Remedies Show How Little People Have Changed

As the globe faces a new pandemic in COVID-19, some of our actions are eerily similar to those of our ancestors.

The Woman Who Lives 200,000 Years in the Past

The idea of living self-sufficiently in the woods, far from crowds and grocery stores, doesn’t sound so bad. 

What Do the Humanities Do in a Crisis?

Crises are, at least while they are happening, not educational opportunities. But there are still things to learn.

Bocelli at the Duomo Milano