Most of us live in social worlds that are profoundly unequal, where small elites have vastly more power and wealth than everyone else. Very few of the have-nots find this congenial. As experimental economists have shown, we tend to enter social situations prepared to take a chance and cooperate in collective activities. But if others…
Mindfulness
We live in an age in which – for obvious reasons – it’s vital to understand how to build peace. Nuclear proliferation, inter-state and civil wars, terrorism and insurgencies, rising extremisms and hate crimes, social polarisation and increasingly vituperate online diction mean that learning how to reconcile enemies has never been more important.
This importance is…
As we've written before, the world is getting smaller as it's getting larger. For better or worse, people around the world are finding more ways to venture to new places, explore new cultures and bask in the visceral joy that travel brings.
But, there is another side to this explosion, and that is there are deep…
Does imposing the death penalty lower rates of violent crime? What economic policies will lead to broad prosperity? Which medical treatments should we allow and encourage to treat novel diseases? These questions have a few things in common.
They bear important consequences for us all, and so policymakers and the public would like to know the…
When people say "get away from it all", that often means driving to the local Holiday Inn. That is fine, of course, but where can you really go with that phrase? We have a suggestion for you - a gasp-worthy one. The Mashpi Lodge in Equador. Deep in the forest, this sumptuous complex will bring…
Here's a puzzle for those who look to get to the root of complexity or confusion. In this case, the question is - have you ever seen the travel patterns of flights from Asia to the United States? They never go straight across the Pacific Ocean to get to, say, Los Angeles. They take an…
Asia has so many wonders, and so much rich and deep history.
One that is well-known, but not always on at the top of everyone's list is Mount Phou Si in Laos. It is a 100 m high hill in the centre of the old town of Luang Prabang in Laos.
It lies in the heart of…
Levi Jed Murphy smolders into the camera. It’s a powerful look: piercing blue eyes, high cheekbones, full lips and a razor-sharp jawline – all of which, he says, cost him around £30,000. Murphy is an influencer from Manchester in the UK, with a large social media following.
Speaking on his approach to growing his fans, he…
The Covid-19 pandemic has made a disaster of much of the world's economies. With no-one buying - even if they want to - businesses have either hung on by a shoestring or have gone out of business entirely.
One of the most effected has been travel. In some cases, sales for some of these companies have…
Let's face it - finding travel deals is not easy. There are not enough hours in the day for most of us. And it's a moving target. Well, let's give a big thank you to our affiliate friends CheapAir.com have created their annual Cheapair 2021Annual Airfare Study. You don’t have to feel stymied by convoluted…
The Camino de Santiago in Spain, or The Way of St. James, is one of the world’s most famous long-distance pilgrimages. Beginning during the 9th century, this route now sees many thousands of modern-day believers traversing the country, with many taking a month or more to complete their journey. All that walking will make you…
Recently, there has been recent discussion about aircraft engine failures. While recent stories have involved a single engine on an aircraft, what would happen if all the engines on a passenger jet failed? It’s highly unusual for all engines on a plane to fail while in operation, but what would happen if the unexpected happens?…
The p-factor is the dark matter of psychiatry: an invisible, unifying force that might lie behind a multitude of mental disorders. The voices told him that he was God, and Oliver believed them. Only 17 years old, he was special, chosen, a higher being whose wisdom and intelligence were beyond compare. Psychiatrists, however, labelled these…
We fly on airplanes and think we understand how they work. But, do we really? Most of us take for granted the fact that airplanes just fly when we get on them. We often completely overlook the technicalities involved in achieving flight. And one of the key areas that few of us consider is the…
The IATA Travel Pass is a mobile application under development allowing travelers to simply and securely store and manage certifications for COVID-19 tests or vaccines. The information through the IATA Travel Pass can be shared with border authorities requiring testing or proof of vaccination as a condition of international travel during and after the COVID-19…
Every country has names for people who may not be the smartest, or the brightest. Some of these are in jest - some are not. One such name is "pea brain" which is hopefully self-descriptive. This article is somewhat related, but more intelligent. It's about pea-sized brain organoids, and what they reveal about consciousness, the…
A traveler's dream is to find an honest, unspoiled and inexpensive place to go. As the world gets smaller, this remit gets harder to fill. But, read below about Namibia. You might be delighted.
"Arguably Namibia’s main attraction is nature—it’s a country of spectacular scenery and plentiful wildlife, from camping amidst the stunning orange dunes of…
Chances are good that you've heard of the National Geographic Society. It is an American pay television network and flagship channel owned by National Geographic Partners, a joint venture between The Walt Disney Company and the National Geographic Society. The operational management is handled by Walt Disney Television. Their programs are known around the world.…
Here is a place that might be new for you - Lamu, Kenya. Almost forgotten in time, Lamu Island is a port, city, and island just off the shore of Kenya in the Indian Ocean approximately 150 miles from Mombasa. It is a part of the East African country of Kenya. Lamu was founded in…
One of the biggest pleasures of traveling Europe is the food. Every country has traditional and unique dishes to try, giving us the inspiration to spice up our own home cooking. While we can't get out to Europe's food markets to pick up culinary ideas and souvenirs, let us help you to taste your destination…