Astronomers using the Hubble Space Telescope have found the farthest star ever observed, a bright dot 9 billion light-years away. Forget thanking their lucky stars: This discovery required the fortuitous alignment of a massive galactic cluster. The … Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
The 2005 wedding of Prince Charles to Camilla Parker Bowles capped off a decades-long romance that began in the 1970s, while both were single, and continued through both of their marriages—his to Diana Spencer, hers to Andrew Parker Bowles—as well as their respective divorces. The scandal of their affair tainted public perceptions of the pair and mired their union in controversy. When they finally wed, it was in a civil rather than religious ceremony. Why was the wedding postponed for one day? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Despite being a mathematician who led a long career in academia, Lehrer is best known for the few dozen humorous songs he wrote in the 1950s and 60s. He largely tried to dodge the limelight, but his satirical treatment of serious subjects nevertheless gained him a significant cult following and influenced later performers of parody, like “Weird Al” Yankovic. According to an urban legend—one denied by the man himself—Lehrer gave up political satire after the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to whom? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
A frame is a schema of interpretation that individuals rely on to understand events. In framing, specific social and political forces use these unconscious collections of stereotypes to develop rhetorical packaging that encourages certain interpretations and discourages others. It has become especially popular in the US, where it is used by both major political parties. What framing strategies were included in the political memo titled “The 14 Words Never to Use”? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Definition: (noun) A mistake that results from taking one thing to be another.
Synonyms: confusion.
Usage: Due to a mix-up over travel arrangements, I missed my flight and had to rent a car and drive the 700 miles home.
Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Life could exist just one planet removed from Earth, according to new research. A paper published last week in the peer-reviewed journal “Astrobiology” takes a look at the second rock from the Sun — Venus — as well as its atmosphere to expand on a … Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Part of US President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal program, the Works Progress—later Projects—Administration aimed to stimulate the economy during the Great Depression and preserve the skills and self-respect of unemployed persons by providing them useful work. By the time it was terminated in 1943, the WPA had employed 8.5 million people and funded the construction of roads, buildings, bridges, parks, and airports—as well as the production of art. What did critics pejoratively call the WPA? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
One of the first movie stars, Pickford earned a reputation as “America’s Sweetheart” by playing a series of innocent, curly-haired young women on the silent screen. She was also a shrewd businesswoman. After cofounding United Artists, she came to exert a profound influence on the film industry as one of the most powerful figures in Hollywood. In 1927, she became one of the original founders of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. For what role did Pickford win an Academy Award? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Named after the host of the game show Let’s Make a Deal, the Monty Hall problem is a probability puzzle that has a history of stumping even respected mathematicians. In this problem, a game show contestant is asked to choose one of three doors. There is a car behind one and goats behind the other two. He picks door 1, but the host, who knows what is behind each door, opens door 3 to reveal a goat. The host then asks the player if he wants to switch to door 2. Should the player switch? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary