🌍 Society

• 🤝Reconciliation and the oval ball

  A reflection on Nelson Mandela's clever adaptation to the challenges of prison life through his unexpected engagement with rugby.

• 🎨No. 8 Rue Franklin, Nantes, France

  A reflection on the juxtaposition of beauty and vandalism in Nantes' architectural landscape.

• 📚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.

• 🦌“Red Earth,” by Erika Larsen

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

• 💰Productive mind games

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

• 👁️Keep noticing!

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

• ⚖️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

• 🌱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.

• 🏚️Wayne Ave., Dayton, Ohio

  An observation on the resilient charm of a Dayton neighborhood. "Much of the neighborhood around Wayne Street and Xenia Ave. seems down on its heels -- lots of boarded-up doors and windows -- but I liked both the remaining (and reasonably maintained) Victorian detail on this pair of houses, and the added patriotic bunting, which both fits in with the architecture and adds an ephemeral touch, a reminder that people are actively caring for this place."

• 🖼️Naming and photography

  An exploration into the power of context in photography and how simple alterations can create misleading narratives.

• 📚A year of… books

  A reflection on people who dedicate a year to a unique challenge and then document their experiences in a book.

• 🎭Not in my intellectual back yard

  This piece explores how excessive intellectual property rights can stifle creativity and innovation in various fields.

• 🍗“The food here is awful!”

  Sudhir Venkatesh explores the stark contrasts between a millionaire's experiences and those of a local squatter in Chicago's impoverished neighborhoods.

• 📜¡Viva Leviticus!

  The "30-Day Leviticus Challenge" sheds light on the often overlooked significance of the Law for believers today.

• 🍲Community kitchens in Lima, Peru

  Women in Peru unite through community kitchens, not only to feed those in need but also to empower themselves and demand change.

• 📚Biblioteca Vasconcelos, Mexico City

  This striking library interior evokes elements of futuristic design, reminiscent of sci-fi aesthetics, yet it captures the essence of what a library represents in culture and learning. "Vista de la Biblioteca Vasconcelos" by Eneas, 25 June 2006.

• 🎭Eighty percent of success ..

  Quoting Woody Allen

• 🪖It takes a village to ruin a country

  A chilling account of political power struggles and violent coercion in Zimbabwe under Mugabe's regime.

• 🌍All the countries that’re fit to print

  An observation on the media coverage of countries located in the interior of continents.

• 🚌A bit of 1990s Kenyan public transit hip-hop

  The cultural implications of public safety in Nairobi, as highlighted in Jimmy Gathu's impactful 1993 track.

• 🤔The costs of monitoring our own happiness

  A thought-provoking reflection on happiness, gratitude, and the complexities of life choices.

• 🏍️Albert Borgmann on motorcycle maintenance

  The implications of advancing technology on our relationship with motorcycles and the care they require.

• 🤖Robot pets vs. bio pets

  An intriguing look at how pets and robots interact in households, highlighting the challenges of integrating technology with our furry friends.

• 🎮Sections of a Happy Moment, by David Claerbout

  I love how the game and social, inter-generational connection emerges in spite of a not-that-hospitable brutalist urban setting.

• 🚗The rage of stickers

  Alan Jacobs shares intriguing insights on how car personalization correlates with road rage.

• ⚔️Albania’s sworn virgins

  An exploration of gender roles and social necessity in traditional Albanian culture through the practice of sworn virgins.

• 🏠All-the-way House

  A look at Children of the Night, a unique shelter providing care and opportunities for former child prostitutes.

• 🎶Mix CD | Planes, Trains and Autorickshaws

  A nostalgic reflection on creating a mix to celebrate the friendships and memories made during a trip to India, filled with inside jokes and cherished music.

• ⚔️Omission impossible - Why we need enemies

  An exploration of the complex relationship between humanity and the notion of enemies, revealing their role in spiritual and moral growth.

• 🌍Decolonizing Harry

  Reflecting on the complexities of class, race, and intentional community living, and the struggles of pursuing simplicity and the unintended consequences of well-meaning and not-so-well-meaning ideals.

• 🎶Roaring Lambs or bleating lions?

  Exploring the complexities of Christian influence in American culture, drawing on the cultural phenomena of the late 1990s and early 2000s.