How tap dancing was made in America
AdultsCultureHistoryMusic...Tap dancing originated in America. It's a mix of several dance styles-Irish jigging, British clogging, and the percussive steps from African dance. Tap dancing can be traced back to Five Points, now known as Chinatown in New York city. Tap dance also has its roots in minstrel shows, where it was viewed as American comedy. In the 70s, tap dancing legends, Jane Goldberg and Brenda Bufalino took tap from the bright show tune lights of Broadway back to a place of self expression.
The history of tea - Shunan Teng
AdultsCultureFoodHistoryTea is the second most consumed beverage in the world after water -- and from sugary Turkish Rize tea to salty Tibetan butter tea, there are almost as many ways of preparing the beverage as there are cultures on the globe. Where did this beverage originate, and how did it become so popular? Shunan Teng details tea's long history. Lesson by Shunan Teng, animation by Steff Lee.
A brief history of goths - Dan Adams
AdultsCultureHistoryMusicWhat do fans of atmospheric post-punk music have in common with ancient barbarians? Not much ... so why are both known as "goths"? Is it a weird coincidence - or is there a deeper connection stretching across the centuries? Dan Adams investigates. Lesson by Dan Adams, animation by Globizco.
Gaming Through New Eyes - Award Winning Short Documentary
AdultsDisabilityGamingCultureThis is a short documentary about Toby Ott, a man who was born with Bilateral Anopthalmia, or in other words, without eyes. This didn't stop him from discovering the medium of video games, and his childhood interest grew into a lifelong passion. This is a whole new perspective on video games, from the imagination of someone who has never known what it is to have sight.
Flying Above The Clouds In A Hot Air Balloon
AdultsCultureTransportationTravelThe Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is the largest hot air balloon event in the world. For 9 days, it brings together pilots and guests from all over the world to witness a one of a kind experience. Seeker takes you to the festival to witness this beautiful event, and to envision what it's like to ride above New Mexico in a Hot Air Balloon.
9-Year-Old Piano Prodigy | Ryan Wang // 60 Second Docs
AdultsCreativityCultureMusic...Ryan Wang is a typical 9-year-old boy, with one extreme exception -- he's a world-famous classical piano prodigy. In 2013, when he was just five years old, he performed at Carnegie Hall, and has since made appearances on The Ellen Show and with the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra. And through it all, Ryan remains a normal kid who loves life offstage, too.
Why Do We Cook?
AdultsFoodScienceSociety...Why do humans cook? Holidays are celebrated in many ways, but chances are they involve eating, and eating a LOT. Ever wonder why we cook our food? We do it because it tastes good, of course, and because our customs and traditions are built around it. But we also cook our food for some basic biological reasons, because of evolution. Some scientists think that figuring out how to cook actually MADE us human! If conversation gets a little dry around your holiday table, now you'll have some awesome science to share with everyone!
How the popsicle was invented | Moments of Vision 11 - Jessica Oreck
AdultsFoodHistoryCreativity...Each year, approximately 2 billion popsicles are sold worldwide. But where did the idea for this tasty treat come from? In the eleventh installment of our 'Moments of Vision' series, Jessica Oreck shares the distracted origins of the popsicle.
Why should you read Tolstoy's "War and Peace"? - Brendan Pelsue
AdultsBooksCreativityCulture..."War and Peace." A tome. A slog. The sort of book you shouldn't read in bed because if you fall asleep it could give you a concussion. Right? Only partly. "War and Peace" is a long book, sure, but it's also a thrilling examination of history populated with some of the deepest, most realistic characters you'll find anywhere. Brendan Pelsue shares everything you need to know to read this classic book.
100 Years of Fashion: Heels - Mode.com
AdultsCreativityHistoryFashion...Take a (well-heeled) walk down memory lane and peep at the peep-toes, pumps, platforms, and other shoes that have kept us in step for the past century.
Why The Popular Kids Don't Stay Cool
AdultsCulturePsychologySociety...Some people in high school engage in risky behavior, such as drinking and smoking, in an attempt to be cool. Does this pay off long term? Join Tara as she reports on new research showing that being popular in high school might be bad in your adulthood!
Why Hollywood keeps making terrible sequels
AdultsCreativityFilmEntertainment...2016 has been a record-setting year for terrible movie sequels.
How did Dracula become the world's most famous vampire? - Stanley Stepanic
AdultsBooksCreativityHistory...Over a hundred years after his creator was laid to rest, Dracula lives on as the most famous vampire in history. But this Transylvanian noble - neither the first fictional vampire, nor the most popular of his time - may have remained buried in obscurity if not for a twist of fate. Stanley Stepanic explains how a critical copyright battle catapulted Bram Stoker's character into literary renown.
How this guy found 83 messages in bottles
AdultsCreativityGlobal WarmingScience...Clint Buffington has found 83 messages in bottles - and you could probably do it too. Vox's Zachary Crockett and Phil Edwards found out how.
5 CARTOONS THAT LOOK DIFFERENT IN OTHER COUNTRIES
AdultsArtCreativityCultureIn several countries, some famous scenes from different animated films look quite different from the way they look in other countries. You might not know this, but people working in animated films love their work and their audience, and sometimes change their films to include some important aspects for this or that culture. So, here are 5 animated films that look different in other countries.
The economics of beard popularity in the US
AdultsEconomyPhilosophySociety...We may have reached "peak beard."