Nature
June 26, 2019

This Strange Plant Has Flowers with Petals Shaped Like Hummingbirds

When Redditor Octopus Prime posted this photo of an unusual looking plant, the internet caught fire. In the palm of someone's hand, what appears to be an origami hummingbird is actually a flower. Instantly, everyone was wondering where this plant came from and what benefit it received from looking like a bird. Luckily, fellow Redditor SolitaryBee—a post-doc scientist studying flower evolution—was able to help shed some light on the situation.

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History
June 22, 2019

What Is the Smithsonian? Discover and Explore This National Institution

To a lot of people, the Smithsonian symbolizes a single museum. Many may imagine the suspended planes at the National Air and Space Museum; others might think about Dorothy's ruby slippers at the National Museum of American History; and some might even create a conflated combination. However, the Smithsonian Institution actually comprises nearly 20 museums—and even more research centers and programs.

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Art
June 21, 2019

How Artists Use Negative Space to Say a Lot with Nothing

There’s never a positive without a negative, and the same can be said in art. Positive space and negative space work together to achieve balance in a composition. Without them, a work might overwhelm the eye or not activate the layout at all (how dull!). To ensure that a drawing or painting is in equilibrium, you must always remember to plan the areas of negative space as much as you do the active space.

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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.