Culture
What ‘The White Lotus’ gets wrong about the meaning and goals of common Buddhist practices
What ‘The White Lotus’ gets wrong about the meaning and goals of common Buddhist practices Thai men can be ordained from a few days to the rest of their lives. Pakin Songmor/Moment via Getty Images The new season of “The White Lotus” is set on a luxury resort on the Thai island of Koh Samui. […]
Uncategorized
How Japanese anime draws on religious traditions to explore themes of destiny, sacrifice and the struggle between desire and duty
How Japanese anime draws on religious traditions to explore themes of destiny, sacrifice and the struggle between desire and duty Kyojuro Rengoku, also known as the Flame Hashira, is a central character in the 'Demon Slayer' series. Deviant Art, CC BY-ND I have spent years studying and teaching Japanese anime, exploring how its narratives intertwine […]
Entertainment
From Greenland to Fort Bragg, America is caught in a name game where place names become political tools
From Greenland to Fort Bragg, America is caught in a name game where place names become political tools President Donald Trump re-renamed Denali as Mount McKinley in 2025. Tim Rains/National Park Service, CC BY Place names are more than just labels on a map. They influence how people learn about the world around them and […]
️ Politics
Spanish speakers in Philadelphia break traditional rules of formal and informal speech in signs around town
Spanish speakers in Philadelphia break traditional rules of formal and informal speech in signs around town Spanish-language signs in Philadelphia contradict the grammar lessons most of us were taught. Daniel Guarin Buitrago, CC BY-ND I’ve discovered something fascinating about how Spanish speakers in Philadelphia address each other and communicate through public signs. The discovery is […]
Education
Humans aren’t the only animals with complex culture − but researchers point to one feature that makes ours unique
Humans aren’t the only animals with complex culture − but researchers point to one feature that makes ours unique A ritual dance honoring Yoruban ancestors is one of the countless examples of human culture. Jorge Fernández/LightRocket via Getty Images Of the 8.7 million species on Earth, why are human beings the only one that paints […]
Science