Art History
August 11, 2025

How a Man Born Into Slavery Became an Art History Legend

By the time the Union army arrived in Dallas County, Ala., in 1865, Bill Traylor had already been enslaved for about 12 years, ever since he was born on a cotton plantation around 1853. After his emancipation, Traylor spent the majority of his life as a tenant farmer near Montgomery, until he picked up drawing in 1939.

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Inspiring
August 10, 2025

Hear How Neil DeGrasse Tyson Explains the Difference Between Art and Science

Despite being known as an astrophysicist and science communicator, Neil deGrasse Tyson can wax poetic on the humanities as well. Over a decade ago, he took to Reddit for an “Ask Me Anything” (AMA) session, where he outlined the eight books that he believed “every single intelligent person on the planet” should read, including Gulliver’s Travels and The Age of Reason.

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History
August 8, 2025

Explore Medieval Medical Recipes Featuring Dove Feces, Fox Lungs, and More

One of the biggest differences between medieval and contemporary life is our current medical knowledge. Today, we boast a plethora of vaccines; we’ve eradicated some of the world’s deadliest diseases; and, above all, our understanding of the human body and its health is far more advanced than it has ever been. We may pop an Advil for a headache or apply Neosporin to a cut, but what did our ancestors in the 15th century do?

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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.