The Holographic Paradigm
The way the universe really works?
Some scientists believe that the human brain, or maybe even the entire universe, stores information in much the same way as a hologram. If true, this could explain everything from psychic experiences to the nature of God.
The Dalahäst
Symbol of Sweden
The red horse that serves as a decorative motif on lots of IKEA items is actually a cultural icon in Sweden with a long and storied history.
Patagonia
The great southern frontier
Famous for its wool and its visits by Darwin, Chatwin, and Theroux, Patagonia is a vast region of South America with surprising things around every corner (even if the corners are hundreds of miles apart).
The Antikythera Mechanism
Computer from ancient Greece
The world's oldest surviving geared mechanism is a remarkable analog astronomical computer built by the Greeks in around 82 BCE. But after this device was created, its technology was seemingly lost for 1000 years.
![Chris Brooks [CC BY-ND 2.0], via Flickr](https://itotd.com/files/2019/02/25277502583_1fd5b88b10_o-814x420.jpg "New Orleans Walking Tours")
New Orleans Walking Tours
Ghosts, vampires, and history
The best way to get a feel for the history (and mystery) of New Orleans is to take one of numerous walking tours of the French Quarter. But watch out for ghosts and vampires.
Portmeirion
The Folly of Sir Clough Williams-Ellis
An English-born Welsh architect set out to create not just one building, but an entire town in harmony with its environment. The result was a beautiful site that is in some ways the forerunner of sustainable development.
Burghausen
The longest castle in the world
Of the many grand and well-known castles in Bavaria, Burghausen has an unusual claim to fame: its length of more than a kilometer—the longest in the world.
Bakelite
The Plastic Age
An early type of plastic that was once dismissed as a sticky "goo" turned into a major material for fashioning all sorts of household goods from the 1920s through the 1950s.
The Perito Moreno Glacier
Breaking the ice rules
Surprisingly, this river of ice in Argentina is neither retreating nor advancing. Its face divides a lake in two, and dramatic ruptures periodically reconnect the two sections.
Power Napping
Siestas revisited
Dozing off during work hours is a no-no, but taking a power nap for increased alertness and productivity is an entirely different story.