Pele’s Curse
Thousands of pounds of rocks stolen from Hawaii are returned by mail to the island each year because former tourists fear their fortunes have been reversed by a wrathful goddess. What makes the myth so powerful?
Religion Isn’t Dead Yet
According to the latest Pew data, the number of adults who do not identify with a religious group grew from 36 million in 2007 to 56 million today. But past research indicates that many of these non-affiliated individuals have some form of belief system.
Even Jesus Thinks Your Heaven Travelogues Are a Little Out There
The went-to-heaven-and-back genre is more popular than ever, but Biblical scholar N.T. Wright's recent book argues that this cultural conception of heaven has little basis in scripture.
The Internet’s Terms of Service
In Terms of Service: Social Media and the Price of Constant Connection, Jacob Silverman provides a measured analysis of the Internet's first 25 years and a cautious look at its future.
The Extreme Diarist
In her new book, Sarah Manguso reflects on recording—and forgetting—the details of her life.
A Historic Eruption
In Island on Fire, Alexandra Witze and Jeff Kanipe put recent volcanic events into the context of the legendary 1783 eruption of Iceland's Laki.
The Allure of Hyperlocal History
We like knowing that there are fuller histories of the world, but Arcadia Publishing reminds us that micro-histories of our little squares can be just as powerful.
Emailing Your Future Self
Send-later functions aren't just ways of disguising your sleeping and working habits. They're an opportunity to confront your past and your future.