Editor’s Note: This book excerpt has been reorganized to fit the needs of the article. Evolution of Our Understanding of Memory Collapse of a Banquet Hall Many current principles used to strengthen our memories can be traced back hundreds or even thousands of years. And although I don’t think it’s necessary to learn everything some of…

Scholars agree that the ancient Greeks laid the foundation for Western civilization in various areas, including art, science, theater, and democracy. In the center of all of this was a man who would become one of the most well-known Greeks throughout time, and maybe one with the greatest influence on our thinking in the Western…

Scholars agree that the ancient Greeks laid the foundation for Western civilization in various areas, including art, science, theater, and democracy. In the center of all of this was a man who would become one of the most well-known Greeks throughout time, and maybe one with the greatest influence on our thinking in the Western…

Commentary When an early Blackfoot or Plains Cree tribe faced a problem of food supply or contagion such as smallpox in their territory, councils met to discuss it. Typically a group of senior men—war chiefs, shamans, hunters, and the like—talked, in turn, and considered the various aspects of the problem. The input of many experienced…