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John Paul Scoggins

John Paul Scoggins

The Bitter Herb: Unlocking the Secrets of Common Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare)

Food & Gastronomy

The Bitter Herb: Unlocking the Secrets of Common Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare)

This is tansy, Tanacetum vulgare — a plant both revered and reviled throughout history. Once a staple in medieval kitchens and apothecaries, tansy straddles the line between medicine and poison, culinary delight and dangerous indulgence.

Swimming Through Tradition: The Story of Pa Chad Fa (Poropuntius angustus)

Food & Gastronomy

Swimming Through Tradition: The Story of Pa Chad Fa (Poropuntius angustus)

Known as Pa Chad Fa, or scientifically as Poropuntius angustus, this freshwater carp may not boast the fame of salmon or tuna. Still, its role in ecology, cuisine, and commerce is both understated and profound.

The Philosophy of Music of Mephorash

The Philosophy of Music of Mephorash

Central to Mephorash’s philosophy is the concept of music as a form of magic, a potent tool for reshaping consciousness and altering reality. The band’s founder, Erik Andersson, describes music as a dimension or place where the mind and soul can transcend physical limitations, offering sanctuary ...

Taylor Townsend Shatters Tennis’s Unwritten Rules — And Exposes Its Ugly Underside in Heated US…

Taylor Townsend Shatters Tennis’s Unwritten Rules — And Exposes Its Ugly Underside in Heated US…

As tennis continues to grow in global diversity, the culture of etiquette may increasingly embrace varied expressions of sportsmanship while maintaining core values of respect and fairness.

The Regal Guardian of the Rainforest: The Great Curassow

Food & Gastronomy

The Regal Guardian of the Rainforest: The Great Curassow

Though rarely encountered in modern culinary circles, traditional accounts describe curassow meat as rich, slightly gamey, and comparable to wild turkey, but with a more delicate grain.

The Fire of Saigon Cinnamon: Cinnamomum loureiroi and Its Global Journey

Food & Gastronomy

The Fire of Saigon Cinnamon: Cinnamomum loureiroi and Its Global Journey

Saigon cinnamon is more than bark scraped from a tree; it is history, culture, and ecology intertwined. From the tropical forests of Vietnam to the shelves of global kitchens, it tells a tale of resilience and complexity.

Sunfish of the Open Sea: The Mola mola’s Strangely Elegant World

Food & Gastronomy

Sunfish of the Open Sea: The Mola mola’s Strangely Elegant World

It is the heaviest bony fish in existence, a creature that can stretch over 11 ft (3.3 m) from fin to fin and tip the scales at more than 4,400 lb (2,000 kg). At once awkward and majestic, it commands attention from divers, chefs, and conservationists alike.

Who Cares About the Houthis?

Who Cares About the Houthis?

Houthis’ actions have a ripple effect that extends far beyond Yemen’s borders, impacting regional power dynamics, global trade, and humanitarian efforts. Their role as an Iranian proxy makes them a central concern for a diverse range of international actors.

The Philosophy of Music of Sunn ○)))

The Philosophy of Music of Sunn ○)))

Sunn ○)))’s music is a philosophical practice in itself — a sustained inquiry into the possibilities of heaviness, the nature of time, and the transformative power of listening.

Atrocities Inflicted by Hamas: Documentation and Analysis

Atrocities Inflicted by Hamas: Documentation and Analysis

The international community must unambiguously condemn Hamas’s atrocities while simultaneously working to address the underlying grievances that fuel the conflict. Only through a combination of justice for victims, security for civilians on both sides, ...

The Observer State of Palestine

The Observer State of Palestine

The State of Palestine is a non-member observer state at the United Nations, a status it was granted on November 29, 2012, by a vote in the UN General Assembly. This status allows Palestine to participate in most UN proceedings, though it does not grant voting rights.

The Petite Elegance of Cornish Hen: Biology, Culture, and Cuisine

Food & Gastronomy

The Petite Elegance of Cornish Hen: Biology, Culture, and Cuisine

A Cornish Cross is the full-grown chicken you buy in parts or for roasting, while a Cornish hen is a baby version of that same hybrid bird, processed at less than five weeks old for its tender, small size, making it a single-serving entree.