Street Art
April 22, 2019

Interview: Street Artist Learns Freediving to Paint Underwater on Artificial Reefs

Artist Sean Yoro, better known as Hula, grew up in Hawaii, where his love of nature flourished and later combined with his artistic talents. He’s most commonly recognized for his murals that play with watery reflections in forgotten spaces, which he often paints while floating atop his surfboard. Using environmentally-friendly pigments, the artist’s figures seem to emerge from the water like mermaids drawing the viewer in with their eyes.

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Resources
April 21, 2019

Oxford’s Free Online Lectures Teach You How to Think Clearly During Arguments

Have you ever struggled to articulate yourself during an argument? It can be hard to get your point across during heated moments, which often leads to even more frustration and unresolved issues. But arguments aren't always bad—they can actually be healthy if they’re dealt with in the right way. If you want to learn how, check out Critical Reasoning For Beginners: a series of free, online lectures led by Oxford University’s philosophy professor Marianne Talbot.

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Architecture
April 19, 2019

Researchers Have Figured Out a Way to Move 25 Tons of Stone by Hand

When it comes to moving 25 tons of stone, heavy machinery is probably the first option that comes to mind. But, if we consider massive monuments like the Moai on Easter Island, there must’ve been some way that ancient peoples were able to transport such heavy material without the advent of machines. The Cambridge-based firm Matter Design has come closer to understanding this engineering feat with their research on “weightless” concrete forms.

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Nature
April 18, 2019

Japan’s Enchanting Wisteria Tree Tunnels Belong on the Pages of Fairy Tales

Japan is well known for its bountiful cherry blossom trees, but that's far from all of the enchanting beauty that the country has to offer. Wisteria trees, with their cascading vines, make the perfect picturesque addition to scenes that look like they belong in fairy tales. These plants grow in a variety of colors; the most common is purple, but you'll also find pinks, blues, whites, and yellows hanging from a wisteria tree branch.

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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.