Browsing: Books

“At middle age, our job is to be strong enough to let go of the ego-driven concerns of the first half of life and be open to a greater sense of wonder.”

This is the great paradox: that human life, lived between the time of starlings and the time of stars, is made meaningful entirely inside the self, but the self is a mirage of the mind, a figment of cohesion that makes the chaos and transience bearable. A few times a lifetime, if you are lucky, something — an encounter with nature, a work of art, a great love — sparks what Iris Murdoch so wonderfully termed “an occasion for unselfing,” dismantling the cathedral of illusion and rendering you one with everything that ever was and ever will be. Because time… read article

This is the great paradox: that human life, lived between the time of starlings and the time of stars, gains significance solely within oneself, yet the self is a creation of the mind, a concept that helps make the disorder and shortness of life bearable. Occasionally, if you are fortunate, something — an experience with nature, a piece of art, a profound love — ignites what Iris Murdoch so beautifully called “an occasion for unselfing,” breaking down the castle of deception and uniting you with everything that ever existed or will exist. Because time… read article

In the huge range of different human cultural inclinations, one of the most widespread is a fondness for stories. We just love to get lost in a good book or movie. When we do, we tend to ignore where we are and become completely absorbed in the story. Psychologists call this “transportation,” and have conducted […]

A naughty illustrated tale of mad mid-century matinees.

Exploring gender identity and cultural disposition through rare archival images from 1800-1980.

Half a century of Siberian science, or why your furry best friend is really a developmentally stunted wolf.

From armadillos to zebras, or what championship chickens have to do with a giant octopus.

What disdain and devotion have to do with the dawn of photography, evolution, and Lewis Carroll.

What Virginia Woolf’s writing table has to do with Darwin’s countryside cottage and Freud’s final couch.