Posts by Madeleine Muzdakis

Madeleine Muzdakis

Madeleine Muzdakis is a Contributing Writer at My Modern Met and a historian of early modern Britain & the Atlantic world. She holds a BA in History and Mathematics from Brown University and an MA in European & Russian Studies from Yale University. Madeleine has worked in archives and museums for years with a particular focus on photography and arts education. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys hiking, film photography, and studying law while cuddling with her cat Georgia.
Environment
March 16, 2022

Geothermal Company Plans to Dig Down 12.5 Miles To Harness the Energy of Earth

The importance of a global transition to sustainable energy is widely discussed in political and scientific communities. Wind, solar, and nuclear power are seen as solutions to the rapidly impending climate crisis. However, one promising source of sustainable energy remains largely untapped and under-appreciated: geothermal energy. Geothermal energy comes from within the Earth, where slow radioactive decay produces a never-ending supply of powerful heat.

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Endangered Animals
March 9, 2022

The Humpback Whale Has Swum Its Way Back From Endangered Status in Australia

Humpback whales live in all the world's major oceans. They migrate great distances, scooping up plankton and krill with mouths full of baleen. Known for their grace, the magnificent creatures were also coveted by whalers. From the 19th century through the mid-20th century, their numbers were decimated by commercial whaling. At one point there were as few as 700 of the creatures swimming in the North Atlantic.

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Art History
March 3, 2022

Artworks of Ukrainian Folk Artist Maria Prymachenko Reportedly Burned During Russian Invasion

The Russian invasion of Ukraine continues to upend life in the nation. The rich cultural history of the Ukrainian people is also in the path of destruction. Officials and video footage from the besieged nation report that the Ivankiv Historical and Local History Museum was burned by Russian forces. About 50 miles northwest of Kyiv, it housed precious works by Ukrainian artists—including 25 paintings by the renowned Maria Prymachenko, a folk artist.

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Science
February 24, 2022

Fossil of Flying Reptile From 170 Million Years Ago Found on Scotland’s Isle of Skye

Scotland's Isle of Skye is known for its beautiful rocky cliffs and brilliant green fields. It was upon one of the island's rocky beaches that a team of scientists made a shocking discovery in 2017. The expedition—funded by the National Geographic Society—discovered a large jawbone poking out of a rock. The jawbone turned out to be part of an enormous pterosaur fossil, a type of winged reptile from the Jurassic Period.

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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.