Historical

Two Rivers, One Casing: A European’s Love Letter to Chinese Sausage
The first time I really looked at lap cheong —Cantonese cured sausage—was on Yide Road in Guangzhou. A row of them hung from iron hooks. Ruddy, glossy, each section tied off with white cotton string, plump and even. I stood underneath and looked up, and what hit my nostrils was something sweet and sharp. Not the beechwood-smoke depth of a European smokehouse, nor the warm blend of pepper and nutmeg. It was baijiu , sorghum liquor, piercing, like someone had waved a bottle under my nose and then pulled it away.
By Jin3 months ago in FYI
A Glitchy Video Game About a Doomed Emperor Just Explained Why Your Company Is Collapsing
The real sign that a company is about to collapse is hidden in a string of figures from the Chongzhen reign. The place I work now is full of anxiety and uncertainty, but I can’t tell when it will actually go under.
By Jin3 months ago in FYI
The Twins Who Chose Silence
This is part I of my new series: Inside the Human Mind A teacher stood before two identical girls, asking the same simple question for the third time.
By Nolan Reed3 months ago in FYI
The Disturbing Origins of the Pinky Promise
I think every single one of us at some point in our lives has made a pinky promise, whether it’s keeping a secret between childhood friends or making some form of commitment. The pinky promise is the ultimate gesture of keeping a sacred vow.
By Rosie J. Sargent3 months ago in FYI
The Small Print in Paradise
Someone Is Asking: Seventy-Two Virgins Fatima first heard that number at her cousin Yusuf's wedding. That day, the lamb pilaf was piled into small mountains. The men sat in the courtyard, the women whispered behind the kitchen's gauze curtains. Fatima carried a tea tray past the threshold and heard Yusuf, half-drunk, slap the table: "When I die, I want sev-en-ty-two! Not one less!"
By Jin3 months ago in FYI
Should You Buy a Historic Home?
Historic Homes Owning a vintage home can be quite exciting. The architecture and craftsmanship can make for a home full of charm and character. While the outside can be quite appealing, so can the many details of the interior, not to mention owning a home that has a history. However, before jumping in, there are some things to consider.
By Janis Masyk-Jackson3 months ago in FYI
The New York Times & Daily Newspapers
I have just finished teaching an online media literacy course and used The New York Times as an illustration of historical trends and modern challenges in journalism. I'm putting this here for anyone who might be interested.
By Lana V Lynx3 months ago in FYI
The Legend of the Rollright Stones. Top Story - July 2026.
Stone circles have always fascinated me. Growing up near Stonehenge and Avebury Circle, I have always been hooked by their mysteries - even after moving away for uni and building my own life. I somehow ended up just moving down the road from them.
By Rosie J. Sargent3 months ago in FYI
Why Do White People Rule The World?
It all began with a conversation. One day, I was talking with a very sweet Caucasian friend of mine. We often discussed race openly, honestly, and without judgment. During our conversation, she suddenly asked me a question that I had never considered before.
By Violet Hamilton4 months ago in FYI
Are Emojis and Logograms the Future of Our Writing System
Despite writing systems being the cornerstone of our communication, languages and dialects, they only have to satisfy three criteria.
By Lewis Humphries4 months ago in FYI
The True Meaning Of It All On July 4th
What is the 4th of July? To many people, the 4th of July is a reason to cook out, light fireworks, eat, drink, and be merry for a while. It's a good day to get together with friends and family and relax. The day, typically, unless you wear a uniform or are in a career that people need each day of the year, is a day that everybody gets off. It's a day to enjoy the freedoms that come with being a citizen of the United States of America.
By Jason Morton4 months ago in FYI
I Have Been An Online Writer For Over 30 Years
I spent four years in seminary from 1994 to 1998. When it was time for me to graduate with a master's degree in Christian education and a master's degree in theology, I sought the Lord about what to do. God directed me to send out weekday morning inspirational messages. I heeded the call. Now, 30 years later, in 2026, I am still doing that.
By Margaret Minnicks4 months ago in FYI