By: Victoria Heath Human history is shaped by transportation, and the railroad in particular has become a sought-after time capsule for travelers to explore and romanticize. Every summer, teenage backpackers embark on weeklong journeys throughout Europe via rail as a…
This experimental drug might prevent stress-induced brain damage
By: Adrian Smith Stress causes changes to the hippocampus—the part of your brain responsible for memory and emotion, leading to anxiety and depression. However, researchers from Rockefeller University in New York have not only provided insight on these structural alterations…
Western feminists capitalizing on the experiences of others has led to the rise of McFeminism
BY: Victoria Heath Too often, cable television turns into cringe-worthy segments featuring shouting-matches between guests and hosts, or an array of offensive, childish comments exchanged between “expert” panelists. These shows, headed by well-known political pundits and talking heads like…
This incredible documentary on brain trauma shows us that self-identity isn’t fixed
By: Jocelyn Schwalm What is it that sets us apart as people? Is it our core values, intentions, actions, beliefs? What if these things changed in the blink of an eye? Would you still be you, or would you be…
North America’s first dolphin sanctuary is changing the way we look at animal protection
By: Andrew Uyeno Animals live better when they are not stuck in cages, who knew? Wait, we all did. For some reason the people who “care” for animals are finally realising maybe sticking creatures into cages wasn’t the greatest idea.…
Music festival culture and the rebirth of the hippie generation
BY: JESSICA BEUKER Photos: Eric Zdancewicz Among a field of colourful, bohemian-style umbrellas, hundreds of people are gathered idly around the Bollywood Stage – where DJ Lee Foss sits on a throne surrounded by giant pillars, pink elephants and the…
This company wants you to “eat your beer” and stop wasting so much damn food
BY: CAROLINE ROLF Did you know that six-pack of cheap beer you sucked back last weekend created about a pound of waste in the making? After barley or other grains are soaked in breweries, the liquid is extracted to create…
How a city monk taught me to silence the outside world and listen to myself
By: Adrian Smith Photos by: Eric Zdancewicz Those who want can now use meditation apps on their smartphones to help them meditate at home or in the office. Apps like Headspace, Meditation Time and Breathe guide users through mindfulness techniques,…
A new early warning system could save communities from natural disasters
BY: CAROLINE ROLF Next month, a new warning system will be introduced in the island of Tuvalu to help communities better prepare for natural disasters. Made by Chatty Beetle technology, the device is able to send and receive short data…
The last “witch” in Europe was beheaded, only to have her name cleared 226 years later
BY: CAROLINE ROLF Anna Göldi, a maidservant in the small alpine region of Glarus, was beheaded in 1782 for being a witch after she confessed after torture to visiting with the devil and poisoning the daughter of her employer. 234…
This company throws dinner parties in unique spaces when the owners aren’t home
BY: CAROLINE ROLF There’s no shortage of spectacular homes to lust over from behind your computer screen, but what are the chances you’d actually get to explore one of these places without breaking in? This startup caters (literally) to those…
Students and inmates are becoming sustainable farmers due to a new urban gardening initiative
By: Jocelyn Schwalm After volunteering on farms around the world, Jenny Spring decided to return to her hometown of Huntsville to give starting her own farm a try. The Spring Farm is a locally run urban farm owned by Jenny…
This is not your typical, inspirational commencement speech
By: Adrian Smith Having recently graduated, I often wonder about the real value of my education. Sure, I’ve some valuable learned lessons, both inside the lecture hall and out, which I’ll likely carry forward with me—but what is the real…
How a mysterious little girl brought strangers together 145 years after her death
By: Andrew Uyeno What would you do if you were away from your house and the construction crew working on your garage found a tiny casket? That’s exactly what Ericka Karner came home to. Thus began a mystery that captured…
Freud’s 7 distinguishing psychological characteristics of dreams
By: Adrian Smith Caption: Anyone who behaved in real life the way their dreams represent them would be considered insane. Dreams often seem extremely incoherent. They display ridiculous storylines and produce the weirdest impossibilities. Our dreams represent us in ways that…
The ugly truth behind the production of this beautiful and elaborate jewelry.
By: Lauren Ali ALL IMAGES BY ARKA DUTTA Weaving in and out of the various stores on Gerrard Street, the largest Indian bazaar in North America, the most prominent item sold is jewelry. Beautiful yellow gold necklaces embellished with colourful…
Adult surf camp is the vacation that will pull you from the mundane and change your life
BY: Victoria Heath It’s 10 a.m., and you’ve been catching waves since sunrise. You lick the saltwater off your lips and rub your shoulder. It’s sore, but that’s just proof you’ve accomplished something. A week ago, you couldn’t even stand…
Athleticism shouldn’t equal masculinity – these self portraits show us why.
By: Lauren Ali ALL IMAGES BY RYAN JAMES CARUTHER Masculinity is described as a set of attributes or behaviours associated with being a man or a boy. If you Google, “masculinity,” images of shirtless men with rippling muscles flexing with…
This is what “20 minutes of action” looks like for the victim. (NSFW Short Film)
BY: JESSICA BEUKER There was a communal moment of shock on June 2 when Brock Allen Turner, a former Stanford University athlete, was convicted of sexually assaulting an unconscious woman and sentenced to six months in jail and probation –…
This charming restaurant could all be yours in exchange for your best recipe
BY: JACK M. If cooking is your passion and owning your own restaurant is your fantasy, then you better be prepared to invest some serious money to get that business up and running. Between construction costs and buying a piece…