Elon Musk says he may launch his own party: but US history tells us that’s not a recipe for success: To paraphrase a very old joke, how do you make a small fortune in America? Start with a large fortune and fund a third political party. American political history is littered with the wrecks of …
What the unique shape of the human heart tells us about our evolution: Human hearts differ from those belonging to our closest relatives like the chimpanzee. anek.soowannaphoom/Shutterstock Mammals, from the mighty blue whale to the tiny shrew, inhabit nearly every corner of our planet. Their remarkable adaptability to different environments has long fascinated scientists, with …
This 18th-century shell collection, saved from a skip, tells a story of empire, explorers and women’s equality: In the 1980s, a shell collection that included specimens from Captain Cook’s final voyage was accidentally thrown into a skip and believed lost forever. But much to the joy of scientists, last week it was rediscovered safe and …
Should we believe Rishi Sunak’s hint that the election will be in October? What the evidence tells us: So now we know. After weeks of speculation, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said he is “working on the assumption” that a general election will take place in the second half of this year. That’s just a …
Napoleon: the film’s fashion tells a story of its own, from cropped hair to ribbon chokers: In his epic historical drama, Ridley Scott depicts Napoleon Bonaparte’s career not only through a military lens but a romantic one, suggesting that Napoleon’s global conquests were driven by a desire to conquer his wife Josephine’s heart. The film’s …
Czes?aw Mi?osz: what the Polish poet tells us about the ‘westsplaining’ of eastern and central Europe: Czes?aw Mi?osz (third row, fourth from the left) at the Stefan Batory University of Vilna in 1930. Wikimedia In 1931, when the Polish poet Czes?aw Mi?osz was 20 years old, he spent a summer travelling across Europe with friends. …
Suella Braverman: how much of a threat is sacked home secretary from the backbenches? What the polling tells us: We’ve had many indications over the past few years, but recent events are perhaps the most significant yet of the difficult electoral coalition the Conservatives are trying to bridge as they fight to hold onto power. …
Clouds of quartz detected high in a distant planet’s atmosphere – here’s what this tells us about other worlds: Artists impression of what WASP-17b could look like, based on data gathered by Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) and other ground- and space-based telescopes, including the Hubble and Spitzer space telescopes. NASA, ESA, CSA, Ralf Crawford (STScI) Quartz, …
Wolf protection in Europe has become deeply political – Spain’s experience tells us why: Wolves are making a comeback throughout Europe – but not everyone's happy. Ramon Carretero/Shutterstock Wolves are staging a comeback in many areas of Europe after centuries of persecution. Over the past decade alone, they have expanded their range on the continent …
What Angela Rayner’s speech tells us about Labour’s potential to curtail short-termism in UK politics: With no apparent irony, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak recently announced he was cancelling HS2 – one of the UK’s largest long-term infrastructure projects – under the 2023 Conservative party conference strapline, “Long-term decisions for a brighter future”. He did so …
What the new Assassin’s Creed game tells us about ninth-century Baghdad – from the art historian who worked on the game: Detail from a 15th century manuscript recounting the siege of Baghdad by the Mongols in 1258. Wikimedia Gamers the world over will be familiar with the incredibly detailed historic cityscapes the Assassin’s Creed franchise …
Sunak should be wary of backtracking on net zero – what history tells us about flip-flopping on the environment: ComposedPix/Shutterstock Rishi Sunak has delivered a speech in which he announced delays to key net zero targets, including postponing the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars until 2035. It is a remarkable …
Chimpanzees are not pets, no matter what social media tells you: Miriam, a rescued chimpanzee brought to the Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage in 2018. Jake Brooker, CC BY-NC-ND Trading wild chimpanzees, including their meat and body parts, is illegal. And yet, social media influencers and companies still reap profits from sharing “cute” images and videos of …
Nudge theory: what 15 years of research tells us about its promises and politics: StunningArt/Shutterstock It’s been 15 years since a particular concept of behavioural science went mainstream. “Nudge theory”, the notion that our behaviour can be successfully influenced through “soft” interventions, has subsequently appealed to plenty of people seeking to change the way we …
Are big cats prowling the UK? What the science tells us: Exploring the British countryside? Unlikely, says big cat expert. Karel Bartik/Shutterstock Rumours that there are big cats in Britain stubbornly keep cropping up. The thought of a large predator lurking in the rural landscapes of Britain is an exciting one. The most recent widely …
Israel: unpopular judicial reform involves repeal of law set up under British colonial rule in Palestine – here’s what that tells us: Israel’s parliament has voted to significantly shrink the power of the country’s supreme court as part of a long-telegraphed plan that has bitterly divided the country. In a highly controversial vote boycotted by …
What Germany’s quest to define dignity – both before and after 1945 – tells us about society: We all know what dignity looks like when it is taken from us. From job losses and income deprivation, to discrimination, systemic racism or oppression, throughout history there have been constant and countless instances of people being deprived, …
What does high immigration mean for the government’s popularity? What data on voting habits tells us: The news from the Office of National Statistics that net migration reached a record high of 606,000 in 2022 is likely to have embarrassed the government, particularly the home secretary, Suella Braverman. For years, successive prime ministers have promised …