🌍 Culture Making

• 🎹Indiana piano

  A glimpse into Lexo Toradze's vibrant community of Russian and Georgian pianists in South Bend, Indiana.

• 🚗That’s progress for you

  A look at the evolution of fuel efficiency in cars, highlighting a stark decline in options despite increasing consumer demand.

• 🌆For one minute please stand

  An invitation to reconsider and engage with our urban spaces through simple steps for transformation.

• 🧬Human red cone pigment gene quilt, by Beverly St. Clair

  A unique blend of art and science, this quilt explores the intricacies of the human red cone pigment gene through creative textile design.

• 📚Outdoor bookcases in Bonn, Germany

  In this post, Daniel Hamermesh reflects on the unique forms of community trust observed in Germany compared to the United States, particularly regarding public sharing initiatives like outdoor lending libraries.

• 🎶Didgeridon’t

  A cultural clash arises when a book for girls includes instructions on playing the didgeridoo, mistaking its sacred significance in Aboriginal traditions.

• ✍️Failed writers

  Remembering Robert Giroux and his insightful exchange with T. S. Eliot on the nature of writers and editors.

• 🐋Wooden whales

  Reflecting on the delicate balance of nature and technology through the lens of whales and human fascination.

• 🏢Your neighbor must be everyone

  Lake County Sheriff Mark C. Curran Jr. shares his reflections after serving a week in jail to gain empathy and insight into the lives of inmates.

• 🕊️Depressed, minority church-going teens

  This study highlights the complex relationship between religious participation and adolescent mental health, particularly among minority teens.

• 🍃Fig Leaf Wardrobe, by Tord Boontje

  A clever commentary on human creativity and the irony of covering nature's own beauty.

• 💭Daydream believing

  Exploring the nuances of daydreaming and its relationship with creativity.

• 🎒Little India, Singapore

  An observation on the juxtaposition of historical figures and modern conveniences, inspired by thoughts on culture and everyday items.

• 🎨Security wall mural, Sadr City

  This painted wall in Baghdad reflects a unique blend of art and the stark realities of security in urban spaces.

• 🏷️G. SALE

  Impressed by a neighbor's succinct sign, I found a lovely convergence of cultural artifacts while reading John Berger's novel.

• 🌈If it seems wordish, use it

  The creativity of language invites us to embrace innovative word usage without apology.

• 🌲A pleasant nonplace

  An exploration of finding peace in an unremarkable life amidst turbulent times.

• 🌐Doing science in the open

  Barry Canton advocates for transparency in science by sharing his research openly online, challenging traditional academic norms.

• 🦌“Red Earth,” by Erika Larsen

  An exploration of child hunters and their deep connection to nature and tradition.

• 📱Cell phones and African elections

  Cell phones are fostering democracy by ensuring fair elections in Africa.

• 🏴‍☠️Dave Eggers, 826 Valencia, and the Once Upon a School challenge

  Discover the ingredients for a thriving afterschool tutoring program, featuring community engagement and creative resources.

• 🎨“Portrait of Andries Stilte II”, by Kehinde Wiley

  An exploration of Kehinde Wiley's work, merging historical European art with contemporary African-American identity.

• 💰Productive mind games

  Insights into creative behavioral economics strategies to encourage healthier choices and better decision-making.

• ✂️Saudi salons - a brief history

  Eman Al Nafjan explores the intriguing evolution of Saudi Arabian hair salons from tailor shops, highlighting cultural needs and changes over the decades.

• 🔤Twenty-six Alphabet Trucks, by Eric Tabuchi

  A playful exploration of typography through clever photographs of letters found on various objects.

• 🍜In praise of street food

  Discover how street food reveals the essence of a culture and its people.

• 👁️Keep noticing!

  Cultivating the discipline of noticing can enhance our engagement with the world around us.

• 🍳L’oeuf à soixante-cinq degrés

  An exploration of the exquisite results achieved when cooking eggs at precise temperatures.

• 🌆“City Of Immigrants,” by Steve Earle with Forro in the Dark

  A joyful tribute to the essence of cities through music, featuring "City of Immigrants" by Steve Earle with Forro in the Dark.

• 📚Surfing Proust - Is nonfiction just easier to read?

  Caroline Langston reflects on the nature of reading in the digital age and shares her insights on the changing landscape of how we engage with literature.

• 🍽️The trayless cafeteria

  The removal of cafeteria trays at universities aims to reduce food waste and promote sustainability.

• 🎩Ear to the Ground, by David Van Tiegham

  A captivating performance piece intertwines music and environment, showcasing the talents of David Van Tieghem in an artistic exploration of sound.

• 🍽️Eating clay in Haiti

  A heartbreaking account of how rising food prices have led to the rise of "mud cakes" in Haiti, a troubling yet culturally significant response to hunger.

• 📜Everything is fascinating - Joseph Mitchell’s patient journalism

  Reflecting on the enduring legacy of Joseph Mitchell and his unique approach to journalism.

• ⚖️Gomez II Bail Bond, Lubbock, TX

  An intriguing exploration of the interconnected cultural spheres in downtown Lubbock. "If you swivel to the right from this view you'll see

• 🎭A dancer’s disciplines

  In a thought-provoking talk about the contrast between performing art and the discipline behind it, David Taylor explores the dedication required to master a craft. "Folks

• 🌿Color wheel, by Tori

  This piece reflects on a simple yet profound way to engage with nature through creativity and mindfulness.

• 🎡Playful spaces, by Bruno Taylor

  A young UK designer adds a whimsical touch to urban life with a swing installation at a bus shelter, sparking playful interactions among passersby.

• 🌍“Red Clay Halo,” by Gillian Welch and David Rawlings

  An exploration of the interconnectedness of creation and redemption, tied together through the theme of dirt and music.

• 🚦Want safer roads? Make them seem more dangerous

  The transformation of a busy intersection into a safer, more harmonious space showcases the power of human awareness in traffic dynamics.

• 📚“Biology

  I find it fascinating to think about the hidden images and stories within the books on my shelves, much like Brian Dettmer's artwork.

• 📜The Rosetta Disk

  The Rosetta Disk serves as a remarkable effort to preserve the world's linguistic heritage for future generations. “Languages of the World

• 📱The world is their crib sheet

  A Sydney school is innovating exams by allowing online resources and collaboration to better reflect real-world information access.

• 🥤Carbonation nation

  An exploration of regional names for soft drinks across the U.S., a fascinating look at linguistic diversity.

• 🌱More than playgrounds

  A glimpse into how outdoor classrooms are transforming student behavior in Boston’s schoolyards. “[The kids] sort of recognize this as kind of a special place. They’re quieter, more orderly,” Ms. Whittemore said.

• 🧥Tokyo vintage

  Exploring the fascinating interconnection of vintage fashion between Tokyo and Hollywood.

• 🏓A long way from the rec room

  A humorous take on the chaotic nature of doubles table tennis from Robert Weintraub.

• 🆕Cuba’s generation y

  An exploration of how naming in Cuba serves as an act of creative resistance against political and cultural constraints.

• 🔥Whiskey Devil, decor crew, Burning Man Center Camp

  Deep in the Nevada desert, Black Rock City prepares for Burning Man 2008 with the pre-Burn tradition of mini-Burning Man ceremonies.

• 🌊Chand Baori (stepwell), India, by Doron

  Here’s a glimpse into the architectural marvel of Chand Baori, a 9th-century stepwell that beautifully illustrates community access to water.