subcultures library

Subcultures are a variety of cultures and sub-groups that become part of society. Learn more about sub-cultures like Geisha, the Amish, Freegans or the Mafia.

Featured Article: How Karate Works

Karate is an incredible art form, built on the concept of merging body and mind into a defensive weapon. See how karatekas use this merger to break wood and cinder blocks with their hands and feet. See more »

Articles 21-33 of 33

Top 5 Feminist Movements

Not every woman whose head scrapes the glass ceiling responds by burning her bra. These five feminist movements highlight proactive efforts to change gender stereotypes and claim equality for women in the boardroom, bedroom and voting booth.

What are smart mobs?

Hundreds of people are protesting down the street. The police arrive and find -- no one? The protesters are gone, but how did they know what to do?

What is China's one-child policy?

Nearly three decades ago, the booming Chinese population caused the government to limit most couples to one child. The plan worked, but at what expense?

Why are barns usually painted red?

Historically, "barn red" is not the bright, fire-engine red that we often see today, but more of a burnt-orange red. How did rural American barns suddenly turn crimson? Some say they turned red with blood …

17 Bits of Nostalgia from 1957

'American Bandstand' hit the airwaves, and the Russians launched 'Sputnik'. 1957 was a year that saw the rise of Elvis and the post-World War II baby boom in the suburbs. Read about these and more in our list of 17 bits of nostalgia from 1957.

18 Odd Items for Sale in Japanese Vending Machines

You can tell a lot about a culture by what they put in their vending machines. Japan seems to take the cake with the number of unusual items that can be found in a vending machine. Read about 18 odd items for sale in Japanese vending machines.

8 of the Oldest Institutions

At age 77, astronaut John Glenn was the oldest person to travel into space. The oldest continuously operated tavern can be found in the city of Boston and the oldest city is in India. Learn about all 8 of the oldest categories featured on our list.

Extraordinary Lists

For your enjoyment, we've compiled lists of the best, the worst, the peculiar, the banned, the largest, the smallest, and other things we found just too interesting to leave out. It�s all right here.

How the Yakuza Works

The Yakuza isn't just one organization. It's a collection of Japanese gangs. Check out this article to learn the history and structure of the Yakuza.

How Totem Poles Work

Totem poles are, quite literally, family trees. They're massive tree trunks carved with symbols to commemorate family history and special occasions.

Is your name really Marshall Brain?

Is there really a person named Marshall Brain? What are the origins of this unusual last name? Find out in this article.

Marshall, where do you go when YOU have a question?

Marshall, where do you go when YOU have a question? What materials do you use to learn about new things?

Who are the Duke of York, Duke of Kent, etc., and how did they get their titles?

When I hear about the Duke of York, the Duke of Kent, etc., who are they and how did they get their titles? What is a "Duke"? Are they related to the queen, or are they normal people?