Stephen Buchmann, University of Arizona As trees and flowers blossom in spring, bees emerge from their winter nests and burrows. For many species it’s time to mate, and some will start new solitary nests or colonies. Bees and other pollinators are essential to human society. They provide about one-third of the food we eat, a service with a global value estimated at up to $US577 billion annually. But bees are interesting in many other ways that are less widely known. In my new book, “What a Bee Knows: Exploring the Thoughts, Memories, and Personalities of Bees,” I draw on my … Continue reading Bees can learn, remember, think and make decisions – here’s a look at how they navigate the world

Jordi Paps, University of Bristol From its humble origin(s), life has infected the entire planet with endless beautiful forms. The genesis of life is the oldest biological event, so old that no clear evidence was left behind other than the existence of life itself. This leaves many questions open, and one of the most tantalising is how many times life magically emerged from non-living elements. Has all of life on Earth evolved only once, or are different living beings cut from different cloths? The question of how difficult it is for life to emerge is interesting – not least because … Continue reading Did life evolve more than once? Researchers are closing in on an answer

Scott D. McDonald, Tufts University In the mid-1990s, I picked up the military classic “Art of War” hoping to find insight into my new career as an officer in the United States Marine Corps. I was not the only one looking for insights from the sage Sunzi, also known as Sun Tzu, who died over 2,500 years ago. “Art of War” has long been mined for an understanding of China’s strategic tradition and universal military truths. The book’s maxims, such as “know the enemy and know yourself,” are routinely quoted in military texts, as well as business and management books. … Continue reading Sunzi, ‘shì’ and strategy: How to read ‘Art of War’ the way its author intended

Friedrich Nietzsche’s Spiritual Exploration: Moving Beyond Idolatry to God/Allah/Brahma Friedrich Nietzsche, in the 19th century, made a provocative statement, “God is dead.” While this statement is often misunderstood as an outright dismissal of spirituality, Nietzsche suggests a deeper exploration of the divine essence beyond traditional religious beliefs. In this article, we will delve into Nietzsche’s views on spirituality and how his declaration of the death of God encourages a shift from mere belief to a direct experience and knowing of the divine. Challenging Traditional Beliefs: Nietzsche’s proclamation that “God is dead” was not a denial of the existence of a … Continue reading Friedrich Nietzsche: Move Beyond Idolatry to Truth

The University of Birmingham has made available online the first images of fragments of a nearly 1,400-year-old Quran. The fragments, which were discovered in Birmingham in 2015, may have been written during the time of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The fragments are written on parchment and contain verses from the Quran, the holy book of Islam. The text is written in a style that is similar to early Quranic manuscripts, and the fragments are believed to be among the oldest surviving copies of the Quran. The University of Birmingham has made the images of the fragments available … Continue reading Pictures of the 1,400 year old Quran Pages at The University of Birmingham

By M M Abbasi Dear Friend, Reader, Student I am passionate about writing and sharing my work with others. I believe that everyone should have access to wisdom, regardless of their financial situation. That’s why I’ve decided to offer my latest book for free. But, if you are able to make a donation, I would greatly appreciate your support. Your contribution helps me continue to write and publish more books in the future. I want to also emphasise that my books can be freely shared and reprinted without cost or copyright infringement. I only ask that you acknowledge me as … Continue reading Art of War – ‘In Dialogue between Sun Tzu &William Shakespeare’