Why did Europe Colonise the New World and not the other way around ?
Why did Europe Colonise the New World and not the other way around ? – according to a bold theory put forward by anthropologist Jared Diamond – The answer may be linked to the shape of the continents which meant that Europeans had more advanced technology and worse diseases than Native Americans.
Do we know who the Mona Lisa was ?
Commissioned around 1503, Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa is perhaps the most famous portrait in the world. But who was the Mona Lisa?
Can the Blind See ?
CAN THE BLIND SEE ? – An odd question that deserves some explanation … with unexpected answers.
Can Animals Really Sense an Impending Earthquake?
There’s no real hard proof that animals can detect earthquakes or other seismic events. HOWEVER there is enough other evidence to warrant a serious discussion and debate on the issue. We look here at some intriguing observations and some basic research that has been done.
Origins of Some English Eponyms : Uncle Sam, Masochism, Martinet & Jezebel
Eponyms are one of the most fascinating examples of how the English language gains new words. In this article we take a colourful look at the phenomenon some eponyms like : Uncle Sam, Masochism, Martinet & Jezebel.
Manet – The Painter who gave Birth to Impressionism
Although not truly an Impressionist himself, Manet is widely considered the father of Impressionism and one of the most influential painters of his century. In this article we briefly look at his life.
If All Time Zones Converge at the North and South Poles – How Do They Tell Time There?
All those vertical line markings on globes do reflect the reality. All the time zones do meet at the two poles, so how do the denizens of the South Pole (and the much fewer and usually shorter-term residents of the North Pole) handle the problem ?
Is it possible to clone a Dinosaur like in Jurassic Park ?
The film “Jurassic Park” introduced a very interesting concept regarding the possibility of cloning a long dead species from preserved DNA – in this case dinosaurs. Sounds plausible – but is it ?
Origins of Some English Eponyms : Juggernaut, Lynching, Malapropism, Maverick & Tantalise
Eponyms are one of the most fascinating examples of how the English language gains new words. In this article we take a colourful look at the phenomenon some eponyms like : Juggernaut, Lynching, Malapropism, Maverick & Tantalise.
How does soap work?
A bar of soap is a chemical miracle – a little scented block that unleashes molecular forces when dunked in water. In this article we look how this little miracle actually works.
Is there any scientific basis to the idea of “brainwashing” ?
If true, then the idea of “brainwashing” – that is convincing someone to do or behave in some way that they wouldn’t normally – has terrible consequences. It means people can claim they were under this infuence when they committed a crime and would mean that we are all vulnerabe to manipulation.
Why do we blush?
Blushing is rather an odd physiological and psychological response to embarrassment or awkward social situations. Could there be any rational or logical explanation for this? What possible evolutionary reason could there be for such a strange phenomenon.
Elemental Questions : What is Fire Made of ?
Fire – one of the most primitive and yet intriguing of the ‘fundamental elements in our world. Indeed one of the things that differentiates mankind from the rest of the animal kingdom is his ability to make and control fire. but : What is fire made of ? What is its atomic structure? What causes things to burst into flame in the first place and why can’t all materials be made to produce flame ?
Words that were re-invented by the Internet
Innovations and new technology always brings with it new terminologies and new vocabularies but they can also reinvent definitions for existing words. In this article we look at six words the internet reinvented.