Intellectual historian Stefan Collini, University of Cambridge, describes how, to a certain extent, one can say that the famous literary critic F.R. Leavis wrote in a deliberately difficult way, in an effort to make his readers think and...

Chinese scholar and literary translator Michael Berry (UCLA) describes differences between simplified and traditional Chinese characters and the politics associated with both.

Linguist Carol Padden (UC San Diego), describes her early experience with transformative sign language linguist Bill Stokoe.

Historian Nile Green (UCLA) describes how using a sometimes provocative new language to describe what we think we already know forces us to broaden our understanding.

Award-winning author Pankaj Mishra describes his personal experiences of growing up in Asia while being disproportionately affected by Western cultural, philosophical and economic considerations.

Historian and social anthropologist Nile Green, UCLA, describes why he uses the model of “religious economy” as an “anti-rhetoric” to deliberately get people to think about religion and core religious principles in a new and different way.

Linguist Carol Padden (UC San Diego), describes unique aspects of humor that American Sign Language enables.

Linguist Carol Padden (UC San Diego) explains how sign languages evolve just like any other language.

UCLA Chinese cultural studies expert Michael Berry describes how he launched himself on the path to becoming a Chinese translator by spontaneously contacting Yu Hua to translate his renowned book To Live, and relates the joys and...

Linguist Carol Padden (UC San Diego), describes how sign language might afford new perspectives on the notion of linguistic embodiment.

Historian Nile Green, UCLA, describes why the notion of a “Clash of Civilizations” between the West and the Islamic world is inappropriate, while describing how the model of “religious economy” can help us improve both understanding and...

Linguist Carol Padden (UC San Diego), describes how gesture is used in both sign languages and spoken languages.

The seafaring criminals known as pirates have existed for thousands of years. But because of the portrayals found in literature - or seen in films, TV shows, or on stage - much of what the general public thinks about pirates is likely...

Things I Wish I Knew When I Was Learning to Code

These Language Models Talk to Each Other! | Socratic Models

Something has taken over the channel...... to wish you a Happy Valentine's Day!

University of Oxford historian Sir John Elliott describes why the search for historical objectivity implies that it is important for all historians to have one foot in the past and one foot in the present.

Historian David Armitage, University of Harvard, relates how examining the historical evolution of key terms and phrases can uncover the many sedimented meanings associated with them, thereby pointing the way to deeper historical...

UC Berkeley historian and Byzantine specialist Maria Mavroudi describes how the Byzantines regarded themselves as “Romans”, looking at their 1000+ year civilization as the part of the Roman Empire that never fell to the barbarians.

UC Berkeley historian and Byzantine specialist Maria Mavroudi describes how famous Greek writers were consciously imitated centuries or even millennia after they had lived, and how she was counselled to take the writer Lucian as her role...

Harvard University historian David Armitage emphasizes the natural link between linguistic terms and historical and cultural context.

Cambridge intellectual historian Stefan Collini tangibly demonstrates his critical thinking skills in examining the role of universities in contemporary society.

Historian David Armitage, Harvard University, describes how trying to understand how our modern age can appreciate the ideas and other cultural forms of the past triggered his move from literary scholarship to the history of ideas.

In this video, Harvard intellectual historian David Armitage emphasizes the importance of considering diverse perspectives and voices when analyzing conflicts. He warns against assuming a monopoly on truth and highlights the significance...