As we climb the Eas Mor waterfall on the south side of the Isle of Arran, I stop to read the words carved into a fallen tree on our way: “Bend your head, for you are entering sacred and magical lands.” There is much that is sacred and magical on Arran. Growing up in Glasgow,… Read More »
It’s Saturday morning and I’m standing in front of a wall of skincare products in a busy Mecca store in Sydney. Every product in this swanky attraction seems filled with hope. I sneak a peek at the flawless-skinned girl in the aisle. I watch her navigate all the iconic brands—Drunk Elephant, Glow Recipe, Thatcha, Summer… Read More »
For Rhyl, once a popular seaside town, there was always something to do outside, especially in the warmer weather. And on duller days, Rhyl’s shops, arcades and clubs were always on hand to drum up business. But today, Rhyl residents who cater to the town’s tourists complain that neither option is available, rain or shine.… Read More »
What a difference an election can make. There is a new atmosphere at the BBC Proms this year, one of timid hope and, yes, relief. With the divisive culture wars over and the licence fee declared safe, hearts should be lighter on the first night at the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. They are joined… Read More »
The rise of ChatGPT and similar AI systems has come alongside a sharp rise in concerns about AI. Over the past few months, executives and AI safety researchers have been making predictions about the likelihood of AI causing a large-scale disaster, dubbed “P(doom).” Concerns reached a peak in May 2023, when the nonprofit research and… Read More »
Having worked on a production team before Definitely Come Dance The BBC’s most-watched television programme has been dealt a further blow as the number of people complaining about a toxic work culture at the corporation fails to take their complaints seriously, the Observer can reveal. One former employee alleged she was subjected to sexist and… Read More »
Curious Kids is a series for kids of all ages. If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, send it to curiouskidsus@theconversation.com. What would the Earth look like a year from now if humans were gone? – Essie, age 11, Michigan Have you ever wondered what the world would be like if… Read More »
The Grand is a hotel with its twisted corners, the Cluedo board: an art deco ballroom, a carpeted, sprung dance floor, a library for community events that leads to a vast dining room, and in another wing, a billiards room. Everything in this Folkestone landmark is a bit chaotic: spare tables and chairs pushed to… Read More »
You probably know someone who ages slowly, aging years earlier than their birth date suggests. And you’ve probably seen the opposite—someone whose body and mind seem to be ravaged by time far more than others. Why do some people seem to glide through their golden years while others seem to struggle physiologically in middle age?… Read More »
Watermelon is a large, round, oval fruit with green rind and juicy red or pink flesh. It has a sweet taste and may or may not have seeds, depending on the variety. Thanks to its high water content and richness in health-promoting nutrients, watermelon not only quenches thirst but can also support weight control, eye… Read More »