Category: Article of the Day

Ibogaine, a psychoactive compound derived from plants, is used by some African peoples for medicinal and ritual purposes. Identified in the early 1960s as having anti-addictive properties, it has been shown to cause sudden and complete interruption of heroin addiction—without withdrawal—in a matter of hours. Research suggests that it may also be useful in treating addiction to alcohol, methamphetamine, cocaine, and nicotine. Why is it banned in many countries? Discuss

Orphanages have existed since the first century. Often depicted in works of fiction as cold, abusive institutions, orphanages largely fell out of favor in the 1950s, following a series of abuse and coercion scandals. Many countries then began to close such facilities in favor of foster care and accelerated adoption, leading to a dramatic rise in the number of citizens from so-called First-World countries who travel to the Third World to adopt. Where was the first orphanage in the US located? Discuss

Ranked 32nd on TV Guide‘s list of the “50 Greatest TV Characters of All Time,” Jim Ignatowski was a character played by Christopher Lloyd in the 1970s television series Taxi. A burned-out product of 1960s counterculture, Ignatowski lived in a world of his own, often exhibiting “spaced-out” behavior as a result of his extensive drug use. However, Lloyd was able to add much humanity to what could have been a one-dimensional role. What did Ignatowski do when he inherited $3 million? Discuss

The invention of the knitting machine revolutionized the production of knitwear, relegating the art of hand knitting to the realm of non-essential craft. However, it has since become a social activity, and many of today’s knitters hold knitting parties and blog about their craft. Knitting is currently experiencing a revival; and between 2002 and 2004, the number of 25- to 35-year-old female knitters in the US reportedly increased 150%. What is one of the earliest known examples of knitting? Discuss

Often seen as the beginning of European imperial hegemony over China, the First Opium War was fought between the British East India Company and the Qing Dynasty from 1839 to 1842. Widespread opium addiction had led to a Chinese ban on imports of the drug in 1729, and the British aimed to reverse this policy. Easily overpowered, China agreed to the Treaty of Nanjing, which fixed tariffs on British goods, opened several Chinese ports to British merchants, and ceded what island to Queen Victoria? Discuss

Manifesting in Jews and Christians alike, Jerusalem syndrome is a psychological phenomenon in which individuals experience religiously themed delusions while visiting Jerusalem. Seen as early as the Middle Ages, it is often marked by a desire to tour the city alone, an obsession with being clean, and the need to don a white gown. It sometimes culminates in the public delivery of a sermon. For what occasion in recent history did authorities fear a major spike in cases of Jerusalem syndrome? Discuss

Buddhist art originated on the Indian subcontinent around the 5th century BCE, following the historical life of Gautama Buddha—the religious leader and founder of Buddhism. Around the 1st century CE, the aniconic tradition of avoiding direct representation of Buddha’s bodily form was replaced with an iconic style of art that permitted the depiction of his human figure. What monument is the largest Buddhist structure in the world and contains more than 500 Buddha statutes? Discuss

Swaddling is the age-old practice of snugly wrapping infants in cloths or blankets so that movement of their limbs is tightly restricted. Originally believed to be an essential part of stimulating proper posture in infants, swaddling is still widely used today to settle and soothe irritable infants, supposedly by providing warmth and security for a baby who has recently left the womb. Swaddling should be stopped once the baby learns to do what? Discuss

Plants, animals, and various symbolic objects have been featured in artistic depictions of Christian saints throughout history. Called attributes or emblems, these symbols—often held in the hands of the saints themselves—represent the exemplary nature of the saints’ lives. In the early days of Christianity, when many of the faithful were illiterate, these attributes made religious scenes and saints easily identifiable. Beheaded third century martyr Saint Denis is often depicted carrying what? Discuss

Used as a form of channeling by proponents of Spiritualism and the New Age movement, automatic writing is a writing process that is performed without conscious thought or deliberation, at times, while the writer is in a trancelike state. Practitioners often attribute the resulting message to aliens, the deceased, the subconscious, or even God. Skeptics note, however, that there is no evidence to support such claims. Which books have allegedly been written using this technique? Discuss