life
Out of Eden Walk: The origin story of the human species is still being written
National Geographic Explorer Paul Salopek is retracing the path of human migration. More specifically, the scientific community’s best guess for the likely path of early human migration. While walking through China, he visited the Academy of Sciences and met with paleoanthropologists there, who shared their discoveries that cast some doubt on some popular theories of human evolution. He joins Host Carolyn Beeler to share what he learned.
The world’s best comics store says immersive fantasy is key to its success
It’s called Akira Comics, and among its 60,000 volumes, you’ll find everything from the Japanese manga style that inspired its name to fantasy literature to classic Marvel superheroes. But Akira is more than just shopping. Its decor is designed to transport clients to fantasy realms, from “The Lord of the Rings” to “Star Wars” to medieval Europe. The World’s Gerry Hadden takes us on a tour of Akira, a comic store on Madrid’s north side.
Recycled whirligigs remain a fixture in the Japanese countryside
A constant fixture of National Geographic Explorer Paul Salopek’s journey through rural Japan was the whirligig, or as he called them, “seismic scarecrows.” Gardeners he spoke to use these contraptions to scare away crop pests like mice and foxes. Host Carolyn Beeler spoke with Salopek about the whirligigs, rural Japanese architectural aesthetics and how he got aboard a cargo ship to cross to North America.
As Taiwan’s birth rate falls, universities shut down one after the other
Due to Taiwan’s falling birth rate, enrollment at many universities and colleges has been declining for years, forcing many higher education institutions to shut their doors or merge with other universities. Since 2014, 15 colleges and universities have closed in Taiwan.
How Hungary’s higher education overhaul became a model for US conservatives
Universities in the US face the possibility of federal funding cuts if they don’t comply with White House demands to walk back initiatives the Trump administration deems biased. Internationally, the use of federal funding to force change in higher education settings is nothing new. The Trump administration might be learning from Hungarian leader Viktor Orbán.
Surprising places on the Out of Eden Walk
National Geographic Explorer Paul Salopek has covered a lot of ground: some 14,000 miles — on foot — through 21 countries so far on his now 11-year-long Out of Eden Walk. And because he’s exploring the earth at a walker’s pace, he can see things people miss when traveling by plane, rail or car. Salopek tells Host Marco Werman about surprising places only a walker would discover.