The Mount Rushmore of Racism
Blizzard shuts down museums in New York, Prince Andrew's arrest photo is hung at the Louvre, a beloved hand-drawn calendar in Los Angeles, and a biography of a mountain.
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The six-second hug
From art to religion to sex, instrumentalisation has drained away intrinsic value. But life is about more than material benefits - by Julian Baggini Read on Aeon
Time is the wildcard
There are two feet of snow blocking your car from the road. This is a problem. Except it’s not a problem if you don’t need to leave the house for a few days—the snow will melt on its own. And it’s not a problem if you had decided to move to the island of Saba […]
How to Carve Hieroglyphs Just Like the Ancient Egyptians Did
In ancient Egypt, writing hieroglyphs was a highly specialized skill, one commanded by only a small fraction of the population. The fact that there were more than 1,000 characters to memorize probably had something to do with that, but the variety of surfaces on which
How to Make Coffee in the Bialetti Moka Pot: The “Ultimate Techique”
In Italy, roughly 70% of households have a Bialetti Moka Pot. And chances are you have one too. But are you using it the right way? Probably not, says James Hoffmann, the author of The World Atlas of Coffee. Above, he sets the record straight, demonstrating the best technique
Reading a Biography of a Mountain
Mount Rushmore, originally known as Six Grandfathers, gets its own biography, plus Sarah Bond on museums’ approach to polychromy and whiteness.
Chipping Away at the Facade of Mount Rushmore
In “Biography of a Mountain,” author Matthew Davis deftly weaves together interviews and stories that reveal so much more than a linear narrative of the monument’s history.
“We” Haven’t Lost Our Sense of Shame....
“We” Haven’t Lost Our Sense of Shame. Only Republicans Have. “I remember when Republicans used to lecture us all the time about the disappearance of shame in our culture…”
Token Anxiety . “This voice in my head that says...
Token Anxiety . “This voice in my head that says ‘something could be running right now’ just doesn’t shut off. I’m not even building a company. I’m just addicted to building my random ideas.”
How to Tell the Story of Extraction in Appalachia
Fia Backström explores this nexus of environmental degradation, disaster capitalism, and intergenerational poverty through embodied, compassionate, and durational research.
Unusual Views of the Winter Olympics
Alan Taylor has shared a bunch of photos of the just-concluded Winter Olympics “featuring infrared imaging, vintage cameras, optical filters, digital composites, unusual angles, unexpected subjects, and more”. Two of my favorites: The first photo is of a curling match taken
Artists' Calendar Celebrates LA’s Everyday Landmarks
For 40 years, Nib Geebles and Abira Ali have chronicled the unspoken, day-to-day minutiae of their hometown in their beloved calendar.
“Antibodies harvested from the blood of...
“Antibodies harvested from the blood of paediatricians are up to 25 times better at protecting against the common respiratory infection RSV than existing antibody therapies , and are now being developed as preventative treatments.”
Inside Voice: What Can Our Thoughts Reveal About the Nature of Consciousness?
"Scientists and philosophers studying the mind have discovered how little we know about our inner experiences."
Activists Hang Prince Andrew's Arrest Photo at the Louvre
The unflattering photo of the disgraced former royalty was taken after his arrest last week for his ties with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
“What is the nicest thing a stranger has ever done...
“What is the nicest thing a stranger has ever done for you?”
Winter Storm Brings Art to a Halt in NYC
Museums across the city and the area will remain closed today.
The United States of Beauty
During her time aboard the International Space Station, NASA astronaut Loral O’Hara took a series of photos of the Earth from directly overhead. Seán Doran has stitched those images together into a gorgeous 4K video of a journey across North America, from San Diego to
Orcas and the Price of Consciousness: Lessons in Love and Loss from Earth’s Most Successful and Creative Predator
Marbling the waters of every ocean with their billows of black and white, orcas are Earth’s most creative and most successful apex predator. Although they are known as killer whales, they are the largest member of the dolphin family. Older than great white sharks, they hunt
Is Donald Trump Alive? Now, this is a site that knows...
Is Donald Trump Alive? Now, this is a site that knows how to write factual headlines, e.g. “Donald Trump is alive and ranting and raving about foreign interests infiltrating the Supreme Court that he created”. Take note, NYT.
A Rare White Whale Sighting Tops the 2026 World Nature Photography Awards
The competition highlights extraordinary wildlife and habitats around the globe. Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $7 per month. The article A Rare White Whale Sighting Tops
This Texas Teenager Is One of the World’s Most Feared Fighters. Don’t Expect Her to Talk About It.
"Not yet twenty, Helena Crevar is one of the most feared fighters in martial arts. What’s her secret?"
The hum of a grocery store’s freezers delights...
The hum of a grocery store’s freezers delights ambient music fans : “It’s like being in an electrical gong bath”. And: “The obvious reference is Brian Eno’s Ambient 1: Music for Airports.”
Detroit Institute of Arts Reinstalls African American Galleries at the Heart of the Museum
African American art history has often been underrepresented. “Reimagine African American Art” invites visitors to discover transformative works across two centuries.
Prisoners of Love: Until the Sun of Freedom
The only US presentation of this exhibition by renowned artists Basel Abbas and Ruanne Abou-Rahme is on view at The Bell Gallery, Brown University.
“A new ethic is quietly emerging among modern...
“A new ethic is quietly emerging among modern travelers. It is called Digital Silence . It is the conscious decision to share the art and the emotion of a place without giving away its exact coordinates… It is a radical act of conservation.”
Butter Tea
In this lovely short film , the traditional Tibetan drink butter tea ( bho jha ) becomes a bridge between generations, outreach across cultures, and a reminder of the value of mindfulness. From Clarissa Wei at Eater , more about butter tea and its place in Tibetan culture: I
A ripple of excitement pulsed through the crowd. Paul...
A ripple of excitement pulsed through the crowd. Paul Ford is blogging regularly again .
The folks behind Dark Sky spun themselves out of Apple...
The folks behind Dark Sky spun themselves out of Apple and have built a new weather app: Acme Weather . “We missed those days as a small scrappy shop. So let’s try this again…”
Join Colossal and Enter to Win an Art-Filled Weekend for Two in Philly
This week only, you could win a trip for two to one of our favorite creative cities. Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $7 per month. The article Join Colossal and Enter to Win
The Seamstress Who Solved the Ancient Mystery of the Argonaut, Pioneered the Aquarium, and Laid the Groundwork for the Study of Octopus Intelligence
"I armed myself with patience and courage, and only after several months managed to dissolve my doubts and see my research crowned with happy confirmation."