The Psychology of Initiation Rites

Initiation rites are an integral part of traditional societies. An initiation rite is a ritual or ceremony marking entrance or acceptance into a group or society. In modern society, initiation ceremonies usually mark the transition into adulthood, as demarcated by the community. Examples of such ceremonies would include the Christian baptism, the Jewish Bar and…

View Post

Why Are Some Plants and Mushrooms Psychoactive?

We all know that particular plants and mushrooms can affect the mind – how we perceive the world, how we feel, and how we think. Some of these plants can induce stimulating effects, including tobacco, the seeds of Coffea arabica (used to make coffee), the coca leaf (used to make cocaine), betel, khat, the seeds…

View Post

Are Solar Roadways the Answer to Our Energy Problems?

You may have seen the viral video about ‘Solar Freakin’ Roadways’, as well as noticed the media attention and hype surrounding this creative vision of roadways in the future. However, while the incredible benefits of solar roadways sound like a panacea for the world’s energy problems, the many downfalls of the technology have been severely overlooked.…

View Post

Why Do Spirals Exist Everywhere in Nature?

Spirals are a common shape found in nature, as well as in sacred architecture. In the natural world, we find spirals in the DNA double helix, sunflowers, the path of draining water, weather patterns (including hurricanes), vine tendrils, phyllotaxis (the arrangement of leaves on a plant stem), galaxies, the horns of various animals, mollusc shells, the nautilus…

View Post

Questions I Always Get Asked As a Vegan (#4): “Do You Really Think You Will Make a Difference?”

A question I often get asked is, something along the lines of, “Do you really think you will make a difference?” People are sceptical that someone changing their diet could have any impact on stopping the death machinery that is factory farming. I’ve often heard people say that me going vegan isn’t going to stop…

View Post