✨ Wonder

• 🌍Origins of Life

  Explore the fascinating theories behind the origins of life, delving into scientific insights and philosophical inquiries that challenge our understanding of existence.

• 🌳A Family Tree With 27 Million Branches

  A new technique lets researchers plumb oceans of human genetic data to produce the largest ever family tree — and they’re just getting started.

• 🔬Expanding Views of Cancer's Causes

  A blood test for early-stage cancer holds promise for treating the many cancers caused by the accumulated “bad luck” of multicellular living

• 🤝Need-based transfers and the origins of human cooperation

  Giving without expecting repayment is not only more common than previously thought, it may also be more crucial for cultures to survive and flourish

• 🌾The Foundations of Ancient American Indian Religion and Civilization at Cahokia’s Emerald Shrine

  A remote religious site offers clues about the birth of a unique North American metropolis

• 🕊️The Case of “Secret Society” Religions

  Claiming supernatural power for their members and wielding lasting economic influence, secret societies may represent a key stage in human institution-building

• 🤔The Problem of Evil and Experimental Philosophy of Religion

  What does it take for the idea of God to become philosophically untenable? It may depend on who you ask.

• 🌌NOVA Wonders

  A storied series provides a cutting-edge take on a set of age-old questions

• 🖖WOW, WHY, HOW?

  Post by post, Orbiter is building an online archive of wonder as it explores the big questions of the natural and social sciences

• 🔬Scientists in Synagogues

  Inviting Jewish congregations to explore awe, curiosity and wonder through the lens of science

• 🤔Getting to the Right Question — and Beyond

  Can a creative technique that works for third-graders help grad students launch their research careers?

• 🧤We don't believe because we don't recall

  A reflection on how our interactions with memories and artifacts shape our experience of beauty and loss, inspired by Proust's poignant insights.

• 🏙️City Silhouettes by Jasper James

  Beijing-based photographer Jasper James captures the striking juxtaposition of humans and urban landscapes in his reflections series.

• 📜Colonial dress, detail

  Exploring the intersection of art, imperial history, and creativity through Susan Stockwell's unique paper dresses.

• 🌍Man/Woman/Boy/Girl

  Exploring the juxtaposition of creative discipline and artistic representation in a global context.

• 📖Citation Needed

  Reflecting on the quirks and community-driven nature of Wikipedia's content and editing processes.

• 🎶Secular praise songs from Western Kenya

  A fascinating exploration of The Kawere Boys, a popular Benga group from Kenya, showcasing the interwoven relationships between artist and patron through music in Luo culture.

• 📚The joys and perils of overlapping reading

  Reflecting on the complexities of reading and the intertwining influences of contrasting narratives, the author shares a personal struggle with parallel reading of profound figures.

• 🎶Mix CD | NY/ROBI

  An exploration of the connections between Africa and New York through music, including a unique take on Babatunde Olatunji's "Akiwowo."

• 🧟‍♂️Cities, wandering, serendipity and (wait for it) zombies

  A reflection on how a mobile app can transform urban navigation into a playful adventure while encouraging exploration.

• 🎶Performance’s magical mix

  Quoting Yo-Yo Ma.

• 📚Love and language

  Elif Batuman reflects on her journey through love, literature, and the unexpected choices we make.

• 📚Fasting for the mind

  Reflecting on the balance between exploring new ideas and revisiting the ones we cherish.

• 🎬Subtleties

  Reflecting on the complexities of subtitles and their role in film enjoyment and cultural exploration.

• 🗺️Have story, will travel

  Exploring the evolution of four iconic tales and their interconnected journeys across cultures and time.

• ⛪️Safety not fine? Install a shrine!

  An intriguing look at how Hindu shrines along risky mountain roads effectively promote traffic safety in India.

• ⚙️Sublime technologies

  Christine Rosen reflects on the evolution of human awe toward machines from the marvel of the dynamo to the mundanity of modern technology.

• ♿Give me a lever long enough and I shall move the world

  A remarkable student-designed all-terrain wheelchair utilizing standard bicycle parts for better accessibility in developing countries.

• 🎁You can’t give this stuff away

  A reflection on the challenges of altruism and trust in giving, as illustrated by two attempts to distribute money.

• 🎶A graphical analysis of national anthem lyrics

  My quest to learn "La Marseillaise" led me to explore the curious and often violent lyrics of national anthems from around the world.

• 🌌Perfect boredom

  Exploring the intriguing nature of boredom and its potential beauty in a world of peace and familiarity.

• 🌌Some awe

  A study finds that awe inspires the most-shared articles, highlighting our need to connect over extraordinary experiences.

• 🌍Lego Globe

  I wonder if they used red and orange legos for the globe's core?

• 🔪You need a good chopping scene

  This excerpt explores the cinematic artistry of cooking, particularly the act of chopping, as a means of character representation in film.

• 🍂Plundering tradition for helpful tips

  A reflection on how the pursuit of happiness may overshadow the deeper wisdom of ancient traditions.

• 🏫Indian schoolroom posters

  Reflecting on the curious and vibrant world of Indian educational posters, a blend of culture and taxonomy awaits discovery.

• 🌦️Low Rising, by The Swell Season

  Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová explore the blend of joy and sorrow in their new album as The Swell Season, highlighted by the whimsical video for "Low Rising."

• 🐾This Is Why I Subscribe to the Invasive Species Twitter Feed

  A fascinating insight into how trained dogs like Ofira can help combat invasive species, along with a reflection on the sensory experiences of labradors in our world.

• 🌍Uncool no more

  Exploring the evolving landscape of cultural influences and what it means to be "cool" in a world of diverse options.

• 🍈Forbidden fruits, delightful longings

  A longing for the elusive mangosteen explores its history and the bittersweet nature of desire.

• 📷Type the Sky, by Lisa Rienermann

  This stunning photographic alphabet showcases the beauty of building courtyards through Lisa Rienermann's lens.

• 🛼Skateland, by Christian Patterson

  I love the cheery desolation in this photo, capturing a sense of whimsy and nostalgia.

• ✝️St. Bartholomew’s Church, redesigned by Maxim Velcovsky

  Two Czech designers transformed St. Bartholomew's Church, revealing its historical layers while blending iconic design with religious elements.

• 🎭The dude uniform

  Observing the curious fashion choices of Mumbai's men, I couldn't help but notice the striking contrast in style between the genders.

• 🌳The secret of successful sauntering

  Reflecting on the paradox of seeking solitude in nature during the turmoil of war through Thoreau's insights.

• 🎨Unimportant enough to be criticized

  A reflection on Dave Hickey's "Frivolity and Unction," exploring the idea that the perceived importance of art can hinder genuine appreciation and critique.

• 🫒Two things you’ve never considered drinking before, but may want to now

  An exploration of unique culinary gems, from unexpected olive oil vendors to cherished Filipino restaurants.

• 💧Her loosened tongue employ’d

  This newsreel captures the remarkable story of Helen Keller's journey into the world of language, guided by her teacher Anne Sullivan.

• 🧶Information, patterns, and wool

  This fascinating passage highlights the role of knitting in WWII propaganda and morale-building through the clever design of a British poster.

• 🎨So many different kinds of lines

  This exhibition beautifully showcases the informal yet profound artistic expressions of the Middle Ages.