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In a limestone cave deep in Central Slovenia, an unremarkable insect lives in complete darkness. This tiny beetle, barely visible to the naked eye, has no eyes and a brownish-yellow coloration—adaptations to a life spent entirely underground. The beetle has survived for approximately two million years in this harsh environment, yet in the past century,
2 days ago

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The Brutalists

From Henry Fonda in 12 Angry Men to Tom Hanks in Sleepless in Seattle, from Charles Bronson in Death Wish to Luke Wilson in My Super Ex-Girlfriend, there have been countless architect characters onscreen. It’s not that watching someone design a building is particularly cinematic. But it is a romantic profession that lends itself to

a week ago 10 votes
The Nazi Block

In the heart of Berlin’s Tempelhof-Schöneberg district, an unusual concrete cylinder sits as an abandoned eyesore. At first sight, it might be mistaken for a deteriorating grain silo or a remnant of Cold War infrastructure. But this peculiar structure, known officially as the Schwerbelastungskörper (“heavy load-bearing body”), carries a darker history: it was the first

2 weeks ago 13 votes
The Power Broker Breakdown Wrap-Up

Join Roman and Elliott one last time as they reflect on their journey with you all through The Power Broker, exploring their favorite moments and answering listener questions in this bonus episode. If you finished The Power Broker with us (or know someone who did), get the 99PI Power Broker challenge coin to commemorate your

2 weeks ago 11 votes
Your Own Personal Jesus

The most popular image of Jesus Christ in the world—a white man with blue eyes, wavy brown hair, and a soft, peaceful gaze—comes from Head of Christ, a 1940 painting by Chicago artist Warner Sallman. It’s been reproduced over a billion times, shaping how millions imagine Jesus. Sallman started as a commercial illustrator, sketching ads

3 weeks ago 21 votes

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The dystopian streaming shows that reflect our times—and that we can’t get enough of.

20 hours ago 2 votes
Style Is Not Beauty, Just As Religion Is Not Faith

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2 days ago 2 votes
A Yellow Interior Sets The Tone For This Cafe

SIKORA INTERIORS has shared photos of a new dessert cafe with a bright yellow interior they completed in the historic downtown of Hanseatic city in Poland. The goal was to create a bold, experimental space that would establish a strong new brand. The designers’ inspiration came from the world of desserts. The bright yellow interior […]

3 days ago 4 votes
Pableaux Johnson: Be Where Your Feet Are

A New Orleanian pays a Mardi Gras tribute to the Cajun Dalai Lama.

3 days ago 4 votes