Earth First!

In 1980, a group of radical environmental activists formed the group Earth First!, pledging “No Compromise in Defense of Mother Earth!” In 1985, the group held its first “tree sit,” in which members sat in and around trees to prevent logging. From about 1987 on, the group turned to direct action tactics and attracted many new members. Though the organization has its roots in the US, chapters have developed in countries spanning the globe. What was the Merseyside Dock Action? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

The Boston Molasses Disaster

In January 1919, a molasses tank, containing as much as 2,300,000 gal (8,700,000 L) of molasses, exploded in Boston, sending a wave of molasses coursing through the streets at an estimated 35 mph (56km/h). The wave of molasses was so powerful that it broke the girders of nearby elevated train structures, lifted a train off its tracks, and destroyed nearby buildings. The streets were flooded with about 3 ft (1 m) of molasses, hindering rescue efforts. How many people were killed in the disaster? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

The Persistence of Memory

Salvador Dalí remains one of the most important painters of both the surrealist movement and the 20th century. Influenced by Freud’s psychoanalytic theories and dream studies, he developed a repertoire of striking, dreamlike, distorted images in a style he termed “hand-painted dream photographs.” Completed in 1931, The Persistence of Memory is Dalí’s most famous work. It depicts four soft, melting pocket watches. How is this imagery generally interpreted? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Terror Behind the Walls

Philadelphia’s Eastern State Penitentiary, which operated from 1829-1970, is considered the world’s first penitentiary. Its revolutionary incarceration system used solitary confinement to rehabilitate inmates, but it is believed that this led to significant mental illness rather than the intended spiritual reflection. The prison now operates as a museum and hosts over 74,000 visitors at its annual Terror Behind the Walls haunted house. How did bank robber Willie Sutton escape the prison in 1945? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Printmaking

Printmaking is the process of creating an image, called an impression, by inking a prepared plate or woodblock and pressing it against another material. Invented in China in the 5th century, the woodcut was both the earliest printmaking method and the first process that allowed printmakers to produce multiple copies of a text or artwork. Later, techniques involving engraved or etched metal plates were developed. What is the reductionist approach to applying multiple colors to an impression? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Parliament of the World’s Religions

The Parliament of the World’s Religions of 1893 was the first attempt to open a dialogue between representatives of religions from around the globe. It was held in concert with Chicago’s World Columbian Exposition, an early world’s fair, and marked the first formal gathering of representatives of Eastern and Western spiritual traditions. Since then, a number of parliaments dedicated to interfaith dialogue have been held around the world. What faiths were notably absent from the first parliament? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Dark Matter

Dark matter is a hypothetical form of matter that is believed to make up more than 90% of the mass of the universe but is not readily visible because it neither emits nor absorbs light. Its existence could explain gravitational anomalies observed in the motion and distribution of galaxies. In 1993, astronomers identified part of the dark matter in the form of stray planets and brown dwarfs, and, possibly, stars that have failed to ignite. What acronym is used to refer to this hot, dark matter? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Humphrey DeForest Bogart

Bogart, posthumously named the Greatest Male Star of All Time by the American Film Institute, was an Academy Award-winning actor whose accomplishments in the film industry are recognized worldwide. Though Bogart began acting in theater, he is best known for his work in films like The Maltese Falcon and Casablanca. He became an international cult figure through his roles as a tough, romantic loner, appearing in 75 feature motion pictures. How many times was Bogart married? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

The Mechanical Turk

In 1770, Wolfgang von Kempelen unveiled his Mechanical Turk, a chess-playing automaton. Dressed in a cloak and turban and seated behind a chessboard, the mannequin played chess and executed complex mathematical puzzles. The Turk performed before numerous world leaders before it was revealed to be a hoax; the cabinet beneath the chessboard, which housed the internal mechanism, actually hid a chess master who secretly operated the machine. Which French Emperor was defeated by von Kempelen’s Turk? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Hypertrichosis

Hypertrichosis, commonly known as “Werewolf syndrome,” is an extremely rare condition that results in the excess growth of body hair. The syndrome can be generalized across the body or localized to a specific area and ranges from mild to severe. Hypertrichosis is believed to result from genetic factors and is rarely found in its severe form. Those who are strongly affected often display excessive, animal-like hair on the face and body. What is the cure for congenital hypertrichosis? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary