Most people regard hierarchy in human societies as inevitable, a natural part of who we are. Yet this belief contradicts much of the 200,000-year history of Homo sapiens. In fact, our ancestors have for the most part been “fiercely egalitarian”, intolerant of any form of inequality. While hunter-gatherers accepted that people had different skills, abilities and … Read more
PHNOM PENH: Two figures glistened in Khmer costumes, an artistic mix of ancient tradition and daring modernity, with green silk shorts and almost transparent gold tunics with embroidered metal flowers. Their bodies curved and curled, rose and fell with grace, each movement so elegant and subtle, to the rhythm of Sam Smith’s pop hit Lay … Read more
When Marlene Dietrich told the Observer in 1960, “If I dressed for myself, I wouldn’t bother at all,” it was an unexpected confession from one of the world’s enduring symbols of sophistication and style. “Clothes bore me. I’d wear jeans,” the German star continued. Yet from Dietrich’s earliest appearances on the cinema screen and in newsreel footage, … Read more
Ricky Ponting believes Australia’s captain Steven Smith has the potential to finish his career as the greatest batsman of the modern era. Smith’s century on the third day at the Gabba was the 21st of his Test career, in his 57th Test, and left him with a career batting average of 61.23. Smith began as a legspinning allrounder … Read more
In 1900, a German physicist named Max Planck published research that changed the world. Up until that time, forms of energy, like light, were thought to flow like continuous streams. But according to Britannica, Planck blew the world’s collective mind when he proved that energy “… is emitted … in discrete energy packets, or quanta.” Quantum … Read more
With the advent of modern technology and affordable Internet, home appliances such as televisions, fridges, oven and others have introduced next generation of conveniences in our lives. In fact, it is unimaginable for us to live without our ‘smart’ gadgets and appliances for a single day. However, for those in rural areas, smart gadgets are … Read more
Modern civilisation has not dulled humankind’s bloodlust or reduced violence, but living in a large, organised society increases the likelihood of surviving a war, scientists say. While larger, modern-day societies may have a larger number of soldiers or combatants who die, they represent a smaller percentage of the total population, researchers said. People who … Read more
If you ask Frank Vogel, there’s nothing different about him these days. Sure, he’s rocking a beard, but this is the same defensive-minded coach that helped turn Paul George into a superstar. He’s also the same coach who came within one game of the NBA Finals. He keeps his players accountable, wants them to stay within themselves, and, yes, … Read more
IT giant Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), law firm Hogan Lovells, Blackstone investment group, ITN, Sport for Freedom, Omnia Strategy LLP and the Thomson Reuters Foundation are among the firms that have signed up to our statement, pledging to be diligent about eradicating slavery from supply chains. The Co-op has also signed up: its Bright Future … Read more
The Marxist historian C.L.R. James once wrote: “A really great batsman is to me as strange a human being as a man seven feet tall or a man I once heard of who could not read but spoke six languages.” He was referring specifically to the West Indian genius George Headley, but the more general … Read more