Poiesis
History of art
idea
What art history reveals about the rise of anti-feminist women
by Paula Keller
Spirituality and religion
idea
Spirituality is a brain state we can all reach, religious or not
by Tal Dotan Ben-Soussan
Wonder and the sublime
guide
How to experience more wow
Awe might seem an unobtainable luxury to many but, with the right approach, you can enjoy it daily – no mountain required
by Summer Allen
Imagination
film
The street music of Montreal inspires an animator’s psychedelic joyride
9 mins
Painting and sculpture
idea
Looking at portraits with an eye to evolutionary psychology
by Dan Sperber
Stories and literature
idea
Craft your own renaissance with tips from Boccaccio’s Decameron
by Dan Turello
Laughter and comedy
guide
How to laugh more
You don’t have to wait to be amused, there are ways to train yourself to enjoy the ‘cheap medicine’ of laughter every day
by Freda Gonot-Schoupinsky
Celebrations and festivals
film
Behold the fearsome beauty of Rio’s other carnival, on the outskirts of town
16 mins
Music
idea
Bob Dylan turned American folk traditions into modern prophecy
by Timothy Hampton
Artists and movements
idea
A human–silkworm collaboration shows the way to sustainable design
by Tomasz Hollanek
Stories and literature
guide
How to create compelling characters
It’s not only writer’s intuition. Use personality psychology to create just the right blend of surprise and believability
by Kira-Anne Pelican
Dance
film
How the language of dance enables war veterans to process trauma
24 mins