Thoughtful Perspectives on Modern Issues
What We Lose When Language Fades There’s a particular ache that comes with discovering a word you never knew existed—especially when you realize it once described something you’ve felt but could never name. Last week, I stumbled upon saudade, the Portuguese word for a deep, nostalgic longing for something absent, something that may never return….
How Ancient Plumbing Built Civilization (And Made It Less Smelly) Forget the wheel, fire, or even sliced bread. If you really want to talk about humanity’s greatest inventions, let’s discuss the unsung heroes of civilization: irrigation canals and the humble flushing toilet. While these might not seem as glamorous as conquering empires or building pyramids,…
Robin Wall Kimmerer’s “Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants” achieves something rare in environmental literature: it successfully bridges Western scientific methodology and Indigenous wisdom traditions, creating a tapestry of understanding that feels both urgent and timeless. As a botanist of Potawatomi heritage, Kimmerer brings unique authority to this synthesis, navigating…
Climate Disasters Through the Lens of Islamic Environmental Stewardship Ancient Wisdom for Modern Crises: What Yemeni and Pakistani Islamic Traditions Teach Us About Climate Suffering The summer of 2025 has brought unprecedented climate disasters to two Muslim-majority nations already struggling under the weight of conflict and poverty. In Yemen, torrential floods since August have displaced…
Ancient Wisdom on Symbols and Their Power Today’s executive order regarding flag desecration brings into sharp focus an ancient tension that has stirred human hearts for millennia: the clash between reverence for sacred symbols and the freedom to challenge them. As we grapple with these contemporary questions, we would do well to turn to the…