Culture | Meer

Looking up through the canopy of trees, we see the interconnectedness of life, reflecting how every encounter and relationship weaves into our existence, both binding and shaping us

The Zeigarnik effect: understanding life's interruptions

How unfinished tasks and lost connections shape our reality

A young girl holding hands with a robot

Dystopia vs. protopia: harnessing the power of imagination

Our determination towards a better future society

Struggles of the economically disadvantaged in the Global South

Decolonizing knowledge: Boaventura de Sousa Santos' vision

Exploring Epistemologies of the South: decolonial perspectives and global justice movements

Evening reading by Georg Pauli

A view of Jane Austen’s life and work by Lucy Worsley

How Jane Austen's home life shaped her fiction

The Red Square, heart of Moscow, Russia

Boris Kagarlitsky and the Russian enigma

A look at one of the key players of world politics

Brunette bride gazing confidently at the camera with the groom seated in the background

Rethinking marriage: millennials’ new perspective

Exploring the shift in marriage perceptions and priorities among modern generations

Tantric art representation through colors

Tantric art: bridging the spiritual and material

Examining the significance of colors, symbols, and forms in Tantric art and their manifestations across cultures

A golden statue of Billiken and his mischievous smile

The ironic god of overly familiar Osaka

Billiken: the god of things as they ought to be

The Ujjayanta Palace, now serving as the Tripura State Museum, stands majestically in Agartala, India, showcasing the rich history and cultural heritage of the region

Tripura’s clay sculptors: the art of idol crafting

A journey through culture, royalty, and the grandeur of Durga Puja

The Modern Hercules, Cleansing the Augean Stable,by Thomas Rowlandson

Lessons from Heracles' fifth labor: Augean stables

Drawing timeless wisdom from Greek mythology to navigate modern challenges

Digital art moon and a pirate boat

The fearless legacy of Malika Fadel ben Salvador

Pirate queen of the mediterranean

A symbolic image representing the concept of secular spirituality and finding meaning through art in a fragmented world

Secular spirituality: finding meaning through art

Exploring the role of art as a path to transcendence and purpose in a postmodern, secular society

Chef Bengstsson presenting her dishes with a smile

Ulrika Bengtsson: cooking inspired by her native Sweden

Celebrated chef and co-founder of Björk Cafe & Bistro in New York

Serpentinite stamp-cylinder seal, Urartu, 8th-7th century BCE, Turkey

Symbols of power: Assyrian, Urartian, and Achaemenid seals

Crescents, fish, and winged disks in cylinder seal iconography

The modern reinterpretation of Greek mythology with a mixed media sculpture depicting a selfie-taking goddess, reflecting on themes of social media addiction and narcissism

Exploring narcissism in modern society

Navigating the fluidity of self in the age of social media and individualism

A civilizational transformation from analog power-distortion to AI-enabled complexity order

Transitioning from analog to AI-mediated worlds

Societal transformation, ethical implications, and the role of AI

The LGBTQIA+ flag calling out for representation and recognition of all identities; acceptance for the LGTBTQIA+ community grows every day

Asexuality as a spectrum in itself

Some facts regarding asexuality and asexual individuals

View of archeological Heracles underwater statue ruins

Heracles' fourth labor: ancient resilience for modern trials

Mythological wisdom for courage and integrity in pursuit of the Erymanthian Boar

The realm of abstraction, where science meets intuition, where spherical concepts are explored beyond the obvious

Understanding abstraction: etymology and significance

Exploring the evolution and impact of abstract thinking across cultures

Two young friends bring a touch of nostalgia to the playground as they carefully sketch out their hopscotch grid, eager to relive the timeless joy of this classic game

The timeless charm of hopscotch: a playground tradition

Discover the historical, cultural, and educational value of hopscotch and why it's still relevant today

A businessman holding an hourglass in his office

The tyranny of time: modern society's obsession with speed

Exploring the impact of capitalist culture on superficiality and the iron cage of bureaucratization in late modernity

"Death of the philosopher Hypatia in Alexandria," an illustration from the book Vies des savants illustres, by Louis Figuier, originally published in 1866, depicting Hypatia moments before being murdered in Alexandria, Egypt, then part of the Eastern Roman Empire

Hypatia of Alexandria

The life and death of the mathematician and philosopher

In the historic Ciudad Colonial district of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, pedestrians weave through markets and vendors, adding to the city's vibrant and bustling atmosphere

Dominican domino culture: uniting Santo Domingo

Explore the social dynamics and community spirit behind Dominican domino games

William Cowper (1731–1800), Manchester Art Gallery, England

William Cowper's "The Task": faith and nature

Exploring the evolution of Christian pilgrimage, morality, and self-discipline in William Cowper’s epic poem

Sita requests Lord Rama to fetch the Golden Deer, moment in Ramayana where Sita requests Rama to fetch the golden deer for her.

Gender roles through Hindu epics and religious texts

From Sita to Draupadi: how ancient narratives and scriptures influence modern gender norms

Hands gently resting on lush green grass

Global vision summit 2024: Writers Capital's path to peace

Celebrating literature's role in shaping a harmonious world at the International Centre for Foreign Languages and Literature in Athens

October 1, 2018 with HE Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, secretary for a relations with states for the Vatican number three in the world (foreign minister of the Vatican state)

My interview with Gary Krupp

Paving the way to Jewish justice through the maze of disinformation

Symbols of Islam, Judaism and Christianity embedded on a wall at a street corner

Truth, relativism, and religious fundamentalism

Today’s attacks on both religion and civilization

Happy couple with documents and passports preparing to move abroad as expats

The expatriate experience: navigating identity globally

Exploring the modern expatriate as a cultural interpreter and bridge between diverse cultures

"Great Japan (Dai-Nihon) History Briefing Session, the 15th Empress Jingu." Expedition in Korea. The legendary Empress Jingu setting foot in Korea. Painting by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi in 1880. Takenouchi no Sukune (left side), Empress Jingu (middle), Waseda University Theatre Museum, Tokyo, Japan

Mystery of Himiko: Japan's enigmatic shaman queen

Uncovering the truth behind the myth and historical impact of Himiko and empress Jingu

A garden maze represents the complicated nature of problems and the need for innovative problem solving techniques

From Aristotle to Musk, how great minds solve problems

How first-principles thinking ensures innovative problem-solving

Holding books that symbolise knowledge and potential, these students embody the university’s mission to cultivate leaders capable of addressing global challenges

Changing education: the key to solving humanity's challenges

How universities must innovate research and wisdom cultivation for a better future

Depiction of a relief from Khorsabad, the Assyrian capital during the time of Sargon II

Cylinder seals: symbols of ancient power

Assyria, Urartu, and Achaemenid in the Iron Age Near East

Intersecting realms: where time, thought, and technology converge

Decoding time: insights from complexity, AI, and media

Exploring the multidimensional nature of time in a digital age

Delve into the poignant depiction of an individual grappling with the burdens of sleep deprivation and mental health struggles in this compelling photo

Modern abyss: a critical examination of societal dysfunction

Exploring the fractured realities of youth, governance, and the elusive pursuit of meaning in an era of chaos and uncertainty

Setting out to sea in Mogadishu, Banaadir, Somalia, a fisherman embarks on a journey that mirrors the resilience and hope of his people, challenging stereotypes with every wave he conquers

Rediscovering Somalia: beyond stereotypes

Unveiling the rich culture, innovation, and hope of the Somali people

Cinematic gladiator illustration design

Hercules' third labor: lessons in diplomacy and redemption

Drawing wisdom from ancient mythology to navigate modern challenges with strategy and cooperation

Bathed in the ethereal glow of a sunset, the island stands as a doorway to a timeless realm where light and shadow merge

Transcending time and identity: spiritual fulfilment

Journey through the illusions of time and soul, amidst modernity's clash and cultural confusion

Neon glow representation of Bigfoot, capturing the mystery and allure of the legendary cryptid

Tracy Arvin's encounter: the Kentucky Sasquatch Mystery

Unraveling the mystery of the legendary bigfoot in Eastern Kentucky's deep woods

Three enchanting Egyptian women painted on papyrus, adorned in resplendent dresses the colour of Egyptian blue, epitomising timeless beauty and grace

Egyptian blue: history, composition, and modern applications

Discover the ancient origins and contemporary uses of the iconic pigment

Photo from the movie of Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey

A gothic critique of Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey

Analyzing historical context, novel criticism, and literary references

Online shopping epitomizes convenience culture, as illustrated by a mini trolley full of shopping boxes on a laptop, showcasing the impact of convenient lifestyles, technologies, and approaches

Modern laziness: how convenience hinders human potential

Exploring the impact of comfort culture on society's evolution and resilience

Great Britain is determined to never see the sun set on the remnants of the old British empire image by fineartamerica

Illuminating 'Epistemologies of the South' and abyssal lines

Exploring Boaventura De Sousa Santos' critical insights into global epistemologies and social divides

A meme of a baby making a fist, often used to humorously convey determination or a playful attitude

How millennials shaped meme culture

Exploring millennials' role in meme creation, social commentary, and online humor

In the serene embrace of Islamic architecture, the pledge of allegiance resonates through the hallowed halls of Morocco's mosques, echoing the timeless bond between ruler and people

Islam's pledge of allegiance: symbolism & ceremony

Exploring the rich history, rituals, and significance of loyalty ceremonies

Photograph of Pope Pius XI from Fundo Correio da Manhã, under the custody of the Brazilian National Archives

Pope Pius XII: silence and humanity in Rome

Exploring the complexities of silence, action, and humanity amidst Holocaust historiography

Echo and Narcissus, by John William Waterhouse, 1903, Walker Art Gallery Institute

The myth of Narcissus and Echo

The psychology of narcissistic abuse and the codependent, people-pleasing echoist

African beautiful young woman looks at the camera gracefully with colors on her face

Exploring African culture

Freedmen and freedlands across global museums

Embracing the cyclical nature of the way Africa views time is a key component in breaking the chains of Eurocentricity and rediscovering life's natural rhythms, a rediscovery that is needed in societies of the modern world

African time: beyond the ticking clock

Decolonising how we think about time and history

In a black and white image, a sad person stands beside a car and a barren tree

Death's impact: Alan Jenkins & Roger McGough poetry

A comparative analysis of "Effects" and "The Identification"

Chibayish marshes, Iraq, near al-Nasiriyah

The Marshes and "Marshmen" of Southern Iraq

Reflections on 70 years of interventions in al-Ahwar

The thinker in the digital storm: contemplation amidst chaos

Sapiopathy: navigating information overload

Unraveling the paradox of data abundance to rediscover true wisdom

A wooden cross on a light blue wall

The Roman empire's Christianity

We're still living with it, and it's time to go

Infant mummy circa 1000 BC

Tarim Basin mummies of Xinjiang, China

Naturally preserved bodies from nearly 4,000 years ago

Illustration by Paola Bilancieri

Writing between two worlds

Challenges of a bilingual writer

René-Antoine Houasse, dispute between Minerva and Neptune over the naming of the city of Athens

Heracles' second labor: confronting modern family struggles

Lessons from ancient mythology to navigate modern family dynamics and challenges

People leveraging smart digital devices for information consumption in the post-truth era

Post-truth era: emotions over facts in modern society

How axiological rationality redefines truth in today's world

Mayar Elsayed's expert photography brings to life the cultural treasures housed within Alexandria's Greco-Roman Museum, offering a mesmerizing glimpse into the ancient world

Rediscovering history: Greco-Roman museum in Alexandria

Exploring Egypt's rich heritage through the newly restored Greco-Roman museum

Religion Mural in Lunette from the family and education series, Charles Sprague Pearce

The nature of hate: a Hazlittian perspective

Exploring malevolence, civilizational veils, and societal roles

Luxury sailing yacht in Porto Cervo, Sardinia, Italy

India's maritime rise: Mihir Bhattacharjee's insights

India's journey from ancient naval power to modern maritime strength, and the vision behind its rise

An abstract representation of how modern precision and algorithms reshape and potentially amputate the richness of diverse knowledge systems

The evolution and impact of precision

Exploring the historical roots, modern implications, and epistemic consequences of precision in Western philosophy and science

Kyoto geiko Toshimana, adorned in full makeup and a katsura wig, elegantly holds a Nō mask on the picturesque Kawamura Noh Stage, Japan

Geishas: captivating Japan's cultural legacy

Exploring the timeless artistry and tradition of Japan's female entertainers and hostesses

A protester holding a sign adorned with a raised fist symbolizes solidarity at a Black Lives Matter protest in Aberdeen, Scotland, on June 13, 2020

Cultural resistance: Black Panther & Riot Grrrl legacies

Unveiling the dynamics of political coding and cultural resistance in modern pop culture through historical movements

A pirate looking at the sea

The tale of the 'Discoveries' is just colonialism

Rethinking a narrative of a fictionalized past

Ilia II, the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, 2008

The Georgian Orthodox church under Soviet rule

From suppression to survival: the enduring influence of the Georgian Orthodox church in modern Georgia

Refugees near Lake Urmia, 1915

The transfer of the Assyrians of Iraq

A case study on intelligence-led interventions in the Middle East

The magic of childhood imagination with a picture of a blissful kid daydreaming, surrounded by flying toys, creating a joyful and whimsical scene, generated by AI, freepik

Exploring Babia: a journey into the depths of consciousness

Reflecting on moments of transcendence and existence beyond reality

Gabriele d'Annunzio and Vittoriale degli Italiani, Italy

Gabriele d'Annunzio: poet-architect of the Vittoriale

Exploring d'Annunzio's creative genius and the symbolic transformation of the Vittoriale degli Italiani

Echoes of inspired imagination: the cosmos of potentials

Shaping tomorrow: a manifesto for creator fiction

Empowering collective imagination to craft ethical futures beyond the bounds of reality

Perry Lowrey performing calculations to determine the height of Angel Fall. Photo by Ruth Robertson. Biblioteca Nacional de Venezuela Collection, Caracas

The first expedition to Angel Falls: history and feat

Calculating the tallest fall in the world

A man holding a history book contemplates the intriguing relationship between astronomy, numerology, and historic events, exploring the intersection of celestial patterns and human history

Understanding the astrological framework of human history

Intriguing interplay between astrological ages and historical epochs, from pisces to aquarius, and beyond

In the cinematic portrayal of mythological glory, a triumphant scene unfolds

Heracles' first labor: conquering demons, embracing growth

Lessons from the Nemean lion for today's heroes

Black and white portrait of a black woman in old hollywood glamour style

Redefining my identity

A personal journey of identity and empowerment

Vibrant yellow and green Kalesa captured against the backdrop of Las Casas in Bagac, Philippines, showcasing the traditional charm and cultural heritage of this iconic mode of transportation

Philippine heritage: the timeless charm of the Kalesa

Exploring history and culture through the iconic horse-drawn carriage in the Philippines

An alien humanoid figure in an orange jumpsuit looks at the camera

Analyzing the Reddit UFO whistleblower disclosure

Aliens: what are they, and where are they from?

Alexander Pope (21 May 1688 – 30 May 1744) is generally regarded as the greatest English poet of the eighteenth century, portrait by Michael Dahl

Virtue and vanity in Pope's eighteenth-century women

Analyzing Martha’s role as the ideal woman in Pope’s poem

Soldier in front of Mao Zedong's picture, Tiananmen Square, China

Global struggle and personal redemption

Exploring political turmoil, personal narratives, and global impact through two novels

The painting depicts an idealized battle, supposedly fought near the ruins of the Temple of Zeus and around the Acropolis of Athens. The equestrian leader of the Greeks (left to center) looks like Georgios Karaiskakis (center)

Kapelis the Hatmaker: a journey through history and justice

Discover the interwoven tales of hatmaking, spying, and the struggle for freedom in Greece and beyond

Statue of Adam Smith, widely considered to be the father of economics and capitalism, in front of St. Giles Cathedral on the Royal Mile in Old Town Edinburgh, Scotland

Resentment in Western thought: Nietzsche to neoliberalism

Exploring the ethical and sociopolitical dimensions of resentment and its impact on modern society

An abstract spaceship orbits against a backdrop of a starry galaxy, illustrating the concept of planetary motion in celestial circles

Exploring celestial harmonies in music philosophy

Discover how ancient philosophers like Pythagoras and Kepler shaped our understanding of music and the universe

Pink Japanese lanterns adorn the vibrant cherry blossom trees in full bloom against the backdrop of Tokyo, Japan's picturesque landscape

Embracing imperfection: celebrating Sakura

Exploring Hanami: Japan's Wabi-Sabi tradition of cherry blossom festivities

Sayyida al Hurra, which translates as "Lady who is free and independent"

The remarkable reign of Sayyida Mandri Al-Hurra

Piracy, power, and legacy

Cars rotating on a fixed line

Unraveling paradoxes

Harnessing teaming, learning, and creativity

Shakespeare and Company bookstore, Paris, France

Shakespeare and Company

Experience books and timelessness in one of the oldest English bookstores of Paris

Epistemicide: expresses the idea of the process of creative destruction of knowledge, wisdom and cultures not assimilated by white/Western culture, promoted by modern science in defense of its essentially privileged status

Scientific production that worries us

Boaventura De Sousa Santos and his lenses for (re)existence in contemporary societies

Beneath a blanket of stars, a group gazes skyward, finding solace in the vastness of the cosmos, where individual plans fade into the brilliance of universal mysteries

Unlocking sustainable success: the power of universal laws

Discover the key to achieving fulfilment beyond human plans through universal wisdom

Foundation of the Ottoman Empire

Osmanlıcılık and the decline of the empire

Exploring the impact of 19th-century nationalist movements on the late Ottoman Empire

A motorbike outside a building in Qissa Khwani Bazaar, Peshawar, Pakistan

The Qissa Khwani Bazaar

Peshawar's enchanting tale of storytelling

Anatol Svahilec in his flat on Wenceslas square, Prague, Czech Republic, photo by Martina Kroa

Conversing with Anatol Svahilec

An interview with the most prominent proponent of slam poetry in Czechia

Donald Trump's silhouette against a backdrop featuring the American flag and scorching flames (illustration by Paola Bilancieri)

I remember Donald Trump

A look back at a controversial yet central figure

Andrea Casali (1705–1784), Hercules shows the way to the temple of Virtue

Lessons from Heracles' 12 labors and mythological journey

Exploring ancient wisdom and modern relevance through the trials of Heracles

A black woman with prism kaleidoscope effect

A journey through the pen of an essayist

From dreams deferred to elder truths

A person balancing their arms while walking through the middle of a forest road

Decades in reflection: from innocence to wisdom

A few roads taken: a journey through life's chapters

A Native American middle-aged man wearing a colourfuly adorned hat, looking into the distance

A cry for a deeper look at the Native American situation

Anthrax's 'Indians': a heavy metal denunciation

'Sir Plume demands the restoration of the lock,' an oil painting by Charles Robert Leslie, inspired by Alexander Pope's 'The Rape of the Lock,' exhibited in 1854

Satirical brilliance in Pope's 'The Rape of the Lock'

Delving into the social commentary and symbolism of Alexander Pope's masterpiece

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