IQ Scores Are Falling but, No, We’re Not Growing More Stupid
Recent studies show a reversal of the historic Flynn Effect, with average IQ scores slipping in the United States, United Kingdom and several Nordic countries. Researchers attribute the decline to factors such as digital media consumption, AI‑driven cognitive offloading, and methodological shifts in testing. At the same time, spatial‑ability scores have risen, highlighting the uneven nature of the trend. Critics argue that IQ tests are culturally biased and may not capture real‑world intelligence, casting doubt on the narrative of a nationwide cognitive decline.
On Her Own Terms
The piece revisits Doris Lessing’s unconventional career, from her colonial upbringing and communist activism to her 2007 Nobel Prize, emphasizing how works like “The Golden Notebook” and “The Summer Before the Dark” challenged literary norms and feminist discourse. It intertwines...
Species Slowdown: Is Nature’s Ability to Self-Repair Stalling?
Researchers at Queen Mary University analyzed the BioTIME database and found species turnover has slowed by about a third since the mid‑1970s. The slowdown, measured over five‑year intervals, contradicts earlier expectations that climate change would accelerate community change. Ecologists note...
Middle East Crisis Hits Garment Export Routes
Rising Middle East tensions have forced major carriers such as Maersk, Hapag‑Lloyd, CMA CGM and MSC to divert vessels away from the Red Sea and Suez Canal, adding one to two weeks to Asia‑Europe apparel shipments. The disruption hits Bangladesh,...
How to Take R. Crumb at Face Value
R. Crumb’s solo show "There’s No End to the Nonsense" opened at David Zwirner in London, spanning two floors and works from the 1960s to 2025. The exhibition places his notorious crude, sexual imagery beside more tender, humanistic pieces, presenting the...
At Tom Ford, Haider Ackermann Dresses Adult Desire
Haider Ackermann’s debut at Tom Ford presented a collection that fused sharp power suiting with transparent vinyl and lace, exposing the sensual layers beneath corporate silhouettes. The runway featured white safari jackets, double‑breasted black suits, low‑slung trousers, and clear raincoats that...
Mango Delivers €3.8bn in Sales with Plans to Grow UK Retail Network
Spanish fashion retailer Mango reported €3.8 billion in sales for 2025, a 13% increase over the prior year, and an EBITDA of €722 million. The company invested nearly €225 million in store expansion, technology, logistics and its new Mango Campus headquarters. In the...
ESA’s Mars Orbiters Watch Solar Superstorm Hit the Red Planet
ESA’s Mars Express and ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter captured the May 2024 solar superstorm’s effects on the Red Planet, revealing unprecedented electron spikes in the upper atmosphere. A radiation monitor on TGO logged a dose equivalent to 200 Earth days in...
The Cambridge Companion to Electronic Dance Music
The Cambridge University Press has released "The Cambridge Companion to Electronic Dance Music," edited by Hillegonda C. Rietveld and Toby Young. The volume assembles interdisciplinary essays that map EDM’s history, production, club design, and cultural politics across continents. It highlights...
Listen to the Sound of Stone-Age
Researchers led by Vialet, in partnership with Radio France, have used anatomical data to recreate the likely sounds of early hominins, tracing language’s roots from 27 million‑year‑old primate vocalisations to modern Homo sapiens. The timeline highlights key milestones: vowel‑producing capacities in...
Pan Dulce Is a Sweet Morning Treat and a Symbol of Latino Culture
A masterclass in San Antonio taught home and professional bakers how to make pan dulce, the iconic Mexican sweet bread, while sharing personal stories of cultural heritage. Led by Los Angeles chef Alex Pena, participants crafted conchas, nubes, and other varieties, emphasizing...
Review of Kalpana Karunakaran’s A Woman Of No Consequence
Kalpana Karunakaran’s new book *A Woman of No Consequence* weaves her grandmother Pankajam’s life into a broader portrait of India’s early post‑independence era. Drawing on letters, poems, and family archives, the narrative follows three generations of Tamil women confronting caste,...
2026 Women’s Prize for Fiction Longlist ‘Examines the Messy Business of Being Human’
The Women’s Prize for Fiction announced its 2026 longlist on March 4, featuring sixteen titles that grapple with climate change, artificial intelligence, identity and migration. Former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard chairs the judging panel, emphasizing fiction’s power to explore the...
Lyla Lane on the Charm and Challenges of Setting Cozies in Small Towns
Lyla Lane explains how she crafted the small‑town setting of Sarsaparilla Falls for her new cozy mystery, The Best Little Motel in Texas. She emphasizes that the town itself must feel lived‑in, using personal memories of her grandparents’ hometown and...
Gloria Don’t Speak by Lucy Apps Review – Tender Portrait of a Woman with a Learning Disability
Lucy Apps’s debut novel *Gloria Don’t Speak* follows 19‑year‑old Gloria, a woman with a learning disability living in east London in the summer of 1999. The narrative captures her sensory‑rich perception, a fraught friendship with a controlling young man named...
The Sky Today on Thursday, March 5: Time to Observe Comet Wierzchoś
Astronomers announce a prime viewing window for Comet C/2024 E1 (Wierzchoś) beginning after sunset on March 5, when it will sit 20° above the horizon in Eridanus. The comet is easily located 2.9° east of the 4th‑magnitude star Eta Eridani and shows...
The Hunter Looms
Astrophotographer Chenglu Peng captured a striking view of Orion’s familiar outline and the faint hydrogen glow of Barnard’s Loop from Yomegashima Island on Lake Shinji, Japan. Using a Sony mirrorless camera paired with a fast 50 mm f/1.2 lens, he recorded...
Rise Above It: John Rivas @ François Ghebaly New York
François Ghebaly New York presents John Rivas' second solo show, "Rise above it," marking his debut at the gallery’s Lower East Side space. The exhibition features eleven mixed‑media sculptures that extend Rivas' signature assemblage practice into hand‑carved, painted wood, inspired...
Extreme Climber Alex Honnold Says ‘Backyard Travel’ Is for Everyone
Alex Honnold’s new series *Get a Little Out There* takes viewers on a ground‑level tour of Nevada’s public lands, from Great Basin stargazing to turquoise mining and UFO museums. The show underscores that adventure doesn’t require distant peaks, emphasizing free,...
We Tried the Entire H&M Studio Collection—These 6 Spring Jackets Are the Ones Worth Buying
H&M Studio’s spring 2024 collection debuted online and in stores, spotlighting six outerwear pieces that blend luxury styling with affordable pricing. Editors tested each jacket, from a peplum‑cut leather coat to a technical shell, and highlighted fit, versatility, and trend...
Tales of the Suburbs by John Grindrod Review – Queer Goings on Behind the Curtains
John Grindrod’s *Tales of the Suburbs* offers a tragicomic social history of LGBTQ life across Britain’s suburbs, from commuter belts to rural villages. Drawing on archives, newsletters, and original interviews, the book intertwines political, architectural, and cultural analysis with witty...
I've Researched and Tested the Best Smart Hubs to Simplify Your Home Automation – These Are My Top 6 Recommendations
The article evaluates six leading smart‑home hubs, ranking the Homey Pro as the overall winner and highlighting the Apple HomePod for Apple ecosystems, IKEA Dirigera for app design, Philips Hue Bridge Pro for mid‑range lighting, Samsung SmartThings for budget‑conscious users,...
Rachel Roddy’s Recipe for Apple, Honey and Poppy Seed Cake | A Kitchen in Rome
Rachel Roddy shares a one‑bowl apple, honey and poppy‑seed cake that blends Polish miodo wnik with Italy’s tortino di mele e papavero. The recipe relies on honey’s humectant properties and natural fructose to keep the crumb moist and enhance caramelisation. Roddy...
Bill Gates Awards $7M Grant to Belgian Startup Using AI to Develop Climate-Resilient Crops
Belgian agtech startup Rainbow Crops received a $7 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to scale its AI‑powered Trait Foundry platform. The technology combines multiplex genome editing, precision breeding and high‑throughput phenotyping to develop climate‑resilient varieties of corn,...
An American Prophet of the Natural World
Terry Tempest Williams’s new book *The Glorians* continues the American nature‑writing tradition inaugurated by Emerson and Thoreau, proposing that profound meaning resides in the smallest, often‑overlooked encounters with the natural world. Drawing from her life in Utah’s desert and her...
Rising Voices: Contemporary Art From Asia, Australia and the Pacific to Open at the V&A
London’s V&A, in partnership with QAGOMA, will open the "Rising Voices" exhibition in May, showcasing more than 70 works by over 40 contemporary artists from 25 Asia‑Pacific countries. The show pulls from three decades of the Asia Pacific Triennial, presenting...
The Backcountry Skis Worth Your Turns
The article is a comprehensive guide to backcountry touring skis for the 2025‑2026 season, breaking down categories by waist width and explaining how length affects performance. It reviews ten standout models—from the lightweight Armada Locator 104 to the powder‑focused 4FRNT Renegade—detailing...
Parrtjima Festival’s Extraordinary 2026 Program Revealed
Parrtjima Festival returns to Alice Springs from 10‑19 April 2026 for its 11th edition, centering on the theme “Language.” The free, all‑ages event will showcase more than 36 First Nations artists and over 50 performers across light installations, workshops, music and storytelling....
Cultural Institutions in Beirut Suspend Operations Amid Escalating Conflict
Several major cultural venues in Beirut, including the Sursock Museum and Beirut Art Center, have halted public programming as the Israel‑Hezbollah confrontation intensifies. The conflict, sparked by Hezbollah’s March 1 rocket launch, prompted Israeli airstrikes that have killed at least 72...
Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers Returns Toronto Film Critics Award, Says Support for Palestine Cut From Speech
Canadian actor‑filmmaker Elle‑Máijá Tailfeathers is returning her Toronto Film Critics Association (TFCA) award after the organization cut the portion of her acceptance video that expressed support for Palestine. TFCA president Johanna Schneller said the edit was for timing but announced...
The 50-Mile Floor
A seasoned trail runner suffers a rib fracture just weeks before a Boston‑qualifying marathon. Despite severe pain, she continues high‑volume training, opting to lower intensity but keep mileage in Zone 2. The essay reveals how running has become a mental‑health lifeline,...
Ursula’s Paddington Announces Closure in Late May
Chef‑owner Phil Wood announced that Ursula’s Paddington will close on Saturday 23 May as its lease expires. The colourful venue opened in 2021, blending Australian flair with European bistro style. Wood cited the growing difficulty of running a small independent restaurant...
Inside Niihau, Hawaii’s ‘Forbidden Island’ That Tourists Can Finally Visit
Niihau, Hawaii’s privately owned "Forbidden Island," has been closed to outsiders for over a century but now permits limited, helicopter‑only day tours. The Robinson family, who own the island and much of Kauai, strictly control visitor access, allowing only three‑hour...
New HIV Cure Approach Forces Hidden Virus Into Tripping Immune Sensor
Researchers have unveiled a novel HIV‑cure strategy that forces dormant virus particles to reveal themselves to the body’s innate immune system. The method employs a STING‑pathway agonist to coax latent proviruses into producing viral RNA, which then triggers a potent...
Mezcla Raises the Plant-Based Protein Bar with $9.5M in Series B Funding
New York‑based Mezcla closed a $9.5 million Series B round led by Bluestein Ventures to accelerate product development and broaden distribution. The funding brings total capital to $16.5 million and follows a 128 % compound annual growth rate since 2022. Mezcla’s plant‑based bars, built...
Plague and Panic in 1870s Wisconsin: Inside the Apocalyptic Western A Prayer for the Dying
"A Prayer for the Dying" is a 2026 apocalyptic western set in 1870 Wisconsin, adapted from Stewart O’Nan’s 1999 novel by writer‑director Dara Van Dusen. The film follows a physician (John C. Reilly) and a pastor‑veteran (Johnny Flynn) as diphtheria...
Lightbulb Moment: William Eggleston’s Alternate Reality
David Zwirner’s New York show spotlights William Eggleston’s 1973 “Untitled” photograph, a vivid blue‑hued counterpart to his iconic “Red Ceiling.” Both images were created with Eggleston’s signature dye‑transfer process, a labor‑intensive technique discontinued by Kodak in 1994. The article frames the blue...
The Carolyn Bessette Kennedy-Approved ’90s Boatneck Top Is Back
The 1990s‑inspired boatneck top is experiencing a comeback as minimalism resurfaces in spring fashion. Its wide, shallow neckline, once favored by icons like Audrey Hepburn and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, is now being reinterpreted by modern stars such as Hailey Bieber and Sabrina Carpenter. Designers and...
At Paris Fashion Week, Cher’s Alaïa Clueless Dress Returns
Belgian creative director Pieter Mulier closed his tenure at Azzedine Alaïa with a runway that paid homage to the label’s 1990s archive, spotlighting the iconic square‑necked dresses worn by Cher Horowitz in the film *Clueless*. The show featured modern reinterpretations...
Evan Mascagni & Joe Keith Bickett on the Myth, Injustice, and Legacy of The Cornbread Mafia: Podcast
Evan Mascagni’s documentary, debuting at SXSW, chronicles the Cornbread Mafia—a group of Kentucky farmers who turned to marijuana cultivation in the late 1970s. The film relies on extensive interviews with co‑founder Joe Keith Bickett to separate myth from reality, revealing a profit‑driven...
Arthur Team to Close Current Iteration After Seven Years Operating
Sydney’s Arthur restaurant announced it will close its current seven‑year iteration on 31 May, with a new restaurant and bar under the same name slated to open in July. The venue has built a reputation for a 100 % Australian set‑menu,...
Scientists Laud Potentially Life-Changing Drug for Children with Resistant Form of Epilepsy
Preliminary trials of Zorevunersen, an experimental therapy for Dravet syndrome, showed it is safe and well tolerated in 81 children. A single 70 mg dose reduced seizures by about 50%, and three doses cut seizures roughly 80% compared with baseline. The...
Woodford Reserve Just Unveiled Its Annual Kentucky Derby Bottle
Woodford Reserve has unveiled its 2026 Kentucky Derby bottle, featuring a new label designed by artist Anna Murphy titled “Dress to Impress, 152.” The limited‑edition bourbon, identical to the standard Woodford Reserve expression, will retail for $50 and hits shelves nationwide...
Mauve Is Spring’s Answer to Burgundy—Here's How to Wear It
Spring‑summer 2026 sees mauve emerge as the season’s answer to winter burgundy. Major houses such as Prada, Chloe and Valentino highlighted muted pinks and purples across runway looks and accessories. The trend encourages mixing mauve with classic neutrals—black, cream, chocolate...
Release Rundown: What to Watch in March, From “Undertone” To “André Is an Idiot”
Sundance’s March slate blends horror, documentary, and speculative fiction, featuring titles like the sound‑driven thriller *undertone*, the darkly comic end‑of‑life documentary *André is an Idiot*, and the post‑apocalyptic podcast drama *Didn’t Die*. The lineup also includes the macabre romance *Dead...
30-Minute Trail Workouts for Busy Days
Running enthusiasts often struggle to fit trail workouts into hectic schedules. The article outlines three 30‑minute routines—hill repeats, rolling tempo runs, and downhill control drills—that deliver strength, efficiency, and technique gains in brief sessions. Each workout includes a concise warm‑up,...
Are Your Cost-Cutting Initiatives Actually Saving You Money?
Food manufacturers are feeling a sharp cost squeeze, with 78% reporting a 13% average rise in per‑product expenses. Common cost‑cutting tactics—deferring maintenance, slashing training budgets, and postponing visibility investments—often generate hidden expenses that outweigh the intended savings. The article argues...
Yuval Sharon Reimagines the Canon
Yuval Sharon, famed for reimagining classic operas, will debut his production of Wagner’s “Tristan und Isolde” at the Met next week, casting the mythic lovers as a contemporary couple. His two‑decade career includes staging “Götterdämmerung” in a Detroit parking garage...
2025 Clarkesworld Readers’ Poll Winners
The 2025 Clarkesworld Readers’ Poll results were released on March 4, 2026. Tia Tashiro’s “Missing Helen” won Best Short Story, H.H. Pak’s “Never Eaten Vegetables” took Best Novelette/Novella, and Alex Rommel’s “Landscape Painter” secured Best Cover. The poll reflects readers’...
Damon Albarn Confirms He’s Scoring Luca Guadagnino’s OpenAI Movie Artificial
Damon Albarn confirmed he is scoring Luca Guadagnino’s upcoming film Artificial, a dramatization of OpenAI’s 2023 leadership crisis. In a Needle Drop interview Albarn argued that AI cannot replicate the soulful intuition behind artistic creation. The movie stars Andrew Garfield...