Was war ever more "civilized"?
Can war be “civilized”? Is one era of mass organized armed conflict more “civilized” than the other? We asked experts to attempt to put this question into a historical perspective.
An oral history of PM Entertainment, a low-budget high-octane American dream
In 1989, a Syrian émigré founded PM Entertainment, producing action movies on a shoestring budget. This is their story, as told by Joseph Merhi, Cynthia Rothrock, Cole McKay and more.
The life, death and rebirth of "New York's Coffee Cup" Anthora
In 2006, the iconic Anthora paper coffee cup was discontinued. Nine years later, it's back due to popular demand. Here is its product life cycle, from design roots to the waste dump.
I followed a different horoscope every day for a week and it bullshat on my soul
Hopes&Fears challenged a spiritually cynical writer to live by a different horoscope every day for a week. This is his story.
What do you get if you survive a plane crash?
Hopes&Fears answers questions with the help of people who know their shit. Today, we morbidly wondered, do you get anything if you survive a plane crash?
Doctor Adventure makes an ear!
By making prosthetics for artists and superheroes, Seth Kane has gained a reputation as a mad scientist for the eccentric. For his latest feat, Kane converts a friend with a missing ear into a cyborg.
Is it dangerous to sleep with your smartphone?
Hopes&Fears answers questions with the help of experts who know what they’re talking about. Today we wondered if it's bad for your health to bring your electronic devices to bed.
What it’s like to be an art handler for real housewives, Wall Street weasels, and Jay Z
In this installment of our anonymous interview series, we spoke with three art handlers who install artworks in museums, galleries and estates.
I was getting all my fancy-schmancy people, but I wanted to see the rest of the world.
Dr. Zizmor
NYC's celebrated subway ad dermatologist
I played every game by the worst video game company ever
LJN specialized in turning blockbuster movies into unrelated, unplayable video games, and is often considered to be the worst of all time. We made a friend play all of its games so you don't have to.
What are the most popular New Year's Eve events in cities around the world?
The most popular events, like fireworks and the Times Square ball drop, cost next to nothing, but more luxe experiences can run you hundreds to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Why does it cost so much and why are people buying it?
Hopes&Fears asks psychologists and economists why anyone would shell out irrational amounts of money for trendy health food.
Are we more likely to follow through with resolutions we post on social media?
We reached out to experts, from clinical psychologists and goal-setting theorists to a cultural critic, to get some answers in time for 2016.
They do it because they’re desperate for money and attention... There’s not enough money in this world to make me do something degrading.
Fabio
Romance novel cover king and protein drink entrepreneur comments about reality television
How happy are workers at New York City’s “Happy” businesses?
We talked to employees at a few businesses in New York City with “happy” in the title. It was a little awkward.
If you remember this playground, your childhood was awesome
The story of Bob Leathers, the architect whose kid-designed playgrounds shaped a generation of play.
