Posts by Julia Travers

Julia Travers

Julia Travers is a Contributing Writer at My Modern Met. Based in Virginia, they are a journalist who covers innovation in a variety of fields, as well as a poet, artist, and teacher. They previously contributed to Yes! Magazine, Earth Island Journal, ARTNews, Discover Magazine, and NPR. They have degrees in Literary and Cultural Studies, and Art Education. You can learn more about them here.
Nature
September 29, 2024

Tourist Causes a “World Changing” Event by Dropping Cheetos Into North America’s Largest Cave

Heading to the wilderness to enjoy nature is a great decision. Leaving behind processed foods in delicate cavern environments, not so much. A tasty snack like Cheetos can damage an entire ecosystem when not disposed of properly, according to the staff at Carlsbad Caverns National Park. In early September 2024, a guest dropped an unfinished bag of cheesy treats off the trail, causing a cascade of ecological responses that imbalanced the local food chain.

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Video
September 23, 2024

Man Drops GoPro Overboard on Cruise Ship, Captures Incredible Undersea Footage

In everyday life, it can be easy to forget how wild and diverse our planet is. For marine engineer Odysseas Froilan, it became abundantly clear when he dropped his GoPro overboard while in the Bahamas and ended up with some mesmerizing moments that have now been viewed by millions. Froilan captured day and nighttime footage in the waters underneath a cruise ship—the mammoth ocean vessel he calls his office.

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History
September 14, 2024

Postcard Arrives 121 Years Late and Reunites Families in Wales

In August 1903, Ewart on the Eastern Coast of Wales sent a postcard to Lydia on the Southern Coast. While the distance between them would only take about an hour and a half to drive today, Ewart’s message took 121 years to arrive. A manager at the Swansea Building Society, a Welsh financial institution, was surprised to receive the much-overdue postcard in August 2024.

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Music
August 26, 2024

Queen of Salsa Celia Cruz Is the First Afro-Latina on a U.S. Quarter

The “Queen of Salsa” Celia Cruz is the fourth woman to be honored in the 2024 American Women Quarters Program and the first Afro-Latina to grace a U.S. coin. This vivacious vocal powerhouse’s career spanned continents, genres, and decades. That’s a lot of life and musicality to portray on a small metal disc, but U.S. Mint medallic artist Phebe Hemphill was up to the challenge and created a striking pocket portrait.

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My Modern Met

Celebrating creativity and promoting a positive culture by spotlighting the best sides of humanity—from the lighthearted and fun to the thought-provoking and enlightening.