Nobody Really Knows Why We Dream
An extensive literature review reveals a startling lack of consensus around why we dream, though neurologists have made important discoveries.
The Pious Undead of Medieval Europe
Bishop Thietmar of Merseburg's eight-volume history contained stories of the living dead—and, he believed, proof of the Christian resurrection.
A “Cook’s Tour” of Imperialism
Thomas Cook and Son Ltd. pioneered middle class tourism during the Victorian era, when it followed the course of the British Empire.
Sigmund Freud’s The Ego and the Id
Freud died 80 years ago this week. In this "Virtual Roundtable," three scholars debate the legacy of his 1923 text.
The Old New Trend of Sober Curiosity
Abstaining from alcohol is a new trend with a long, long history.
Why Everyone Doesn’t Value Choice to the Same Degree
Studies show that college-educated white Americans value having choice -- and yet having too much choice can paralyze and lead to dissatisfaction.
Why Playing Superhero Is Good for Kids
It's hard to know how to respond to imaginative play that looks violent. Some experts say it's best to go ahead and let little kids play superhero anyway.
What Is the #KuToo Movement?
Japanese women are protesting the widespread policy of mandatory high heels at work.
The Complex Economics of Medieval Convents
Medieval convents were better funded than many scholars assume, thanks in part to royal patrons sympathetic to the holy women's mission.
Why Did Christianity Thrive in the U.S.?
Between 1870 and 1960, Christianity declined dramatically across much of Europe. Not in America. One historian explains why.