Sede Vacante and The Process of Papal Succession
After the death or resignation of a pope, but before the election of a new pope, there is a period of time at the Vatican known as Sede Vacante. The Sede Vacante doesn’t last very long, and it doesn...
23 Apr 202514min
The Medici Family and Renaissance Florence
One of the greatest periods of social and technological change in world history was the Renaissance. At the heart of the Renaissance was the city-state of Florence. It was the home to some of the wo...
22 Apr 202516min
The Battle of Marathon (Encore)
In the year 490 BC, one of the most pivotal battles in world history took place. Just north of the City of Athens, Persian and Greek forces clashed in what was to be the first Persian attempt to inv...
21 Apr 202512min
Global Reserve Currencies and the Triffin Dilemma
Today, approximately 160 currencies are used worldwide. Some countries share the same currency, while others use the currency of another country. However, not all currencies are equal. One currency ...
20 Apr 202514min
Biological Taxonomy and the Tree of Life
All living things on the planet Earth, from microbes to whales, can be categorized into a single hierarchical system. This system has been developed over the last 300 years. Layers have been added, ...
19 Apr 202516min
The Search for Life Outside the Solar System
In 1995, the first planet outside our solar system was discovered. Since then, with improved techniques and tools, over 5,000 exoplanets have been confirmed, and another 10,000 candidates are awaiti...
18 Apr 202515min
Rare Earth Elements (Encore)
Modern society is completely dependent on a set of technologies that include computer chips, fiber optic cables, lasers, video screens, electric motors, and batteries. All of those things are depend...
17 Apr 202510min
The History of Wire
The modern world runs on metal wires. These thin metal strands literally circle the globe and are responsible for much of the world’s electrical power and communications. It is something so basic ...
16 Apr 202515min
