Slab City: Life in the 'Last Free Place in America'
In California's Sonoran Desert, about 50 miles (80 km) north of the US-Mexico border, lies a squatter's paradise. Over 600 acres of rent-free land left over from a military base is now a well-established off-the-grid community where the living conditions are tough, but where freedom is guaranteed. Slab City, also called The Slabs, is a home for social outcasts, and a hot tourist spot for those who are curious about outcasts. It offers a very different alternative to how most North Americans’ daily lives work. It’s equally ambitious and artistic as it is challenging, but it has managed to maintain the spirit that it started with decades ago with every generation of transient, freedom-seeking people. The community has both been a home for people who had to run away, and also a home for people who wanted something to run to. Click through to see what life is like in this fascinating community, what challenges they face, and what they've been able to achieve so far.
2024-03-19T19:03:11Z
These are the most common ways to find a partner
“How did you meet?” The familiar question has historically been answered with romantic or quirky tales of mutual friends and chance encounters, all of which compel a chorus of oohs and aws. But, in recent times, those tales have taken a drastic turn—whether for better or worse remains unclear. For a very long time, likely since the very beginning of time, close friends and family have been the most prominent way to establish new connections with other people. From the end of World War II until 2013, most heterosexual Americans were still meeting their romantic partners through friends, family, school, work, and so forth. It seems, however, that those networks are becoming increasingly more irrelevant. According to a dataset analysis, the internet may have largely replaced friends and family as a way for couples to meet. Online dating is revolutionizing romance. We’ve looked extensively at how technology has changed the way we interact with others, but not as much at how it changes who we interact with. Particularly in the realm of romantic relationships, there’s a notable shift happening that affects many parts of dating. Check out this gallery to see how couples are meeting, and why meeting on the internet is so appealing.
2024-02-14T11:25:12Z
Why preserving US national heritage is so important
The United States is blessed with some truly exceptional national heritage sites and cultural landmarks. Numbering numerous historic properties, these unique places connect Americans to their past. But little of this architecture would have survived the centuries were it not for the dedicated work of organizations like the National Trust for Historic Preservation, a leading member-driven movement whose aim is to support the preservation of America's diverse historic buildings, neighborhoods, and heritage through its programs, resources, and advocacy. Indeed, the idea is to protect the identity of a nation, where lives, stories, and memories began. Click through and visit some of America's most important cultural attractions.
2024-02-07T14:22:02Z
Black history told through amazing (and disturbing) objects
The National Museum of African American History & Culture (NMAAHC) chronicles a people's journey and a nation's story. Located in Washington, D.C., this world-class cultural facility, a Smithsonian Institution, features an outstanding collection of exhibits related to the African-American community, family, the visual and performing arts, religion, civil rights, slavery, and segregation. Indeed, the museum provides visitors with a fascinating and deeply moving illustrative diary of the richness and diversity of the African-American experience. It also records darker chapters in the African-American timeline. So, are you interested in learning more? Click through and ponder some of the museum's standout pieces.
2024-01-18T16:09:23Z