Interesting facts from history from antiquity to the present day

Sulakadzev: The History of the Forger of All Russia
Chronicles of the past

Sulakadzev: The History of the Forger of All Russia

The first balloon flight was made by a Russian, and the Valaam Monastery was founded by the Apostle Andrew. These "historical facts" were invented by one bibliophile 200 years ago

Coronavirus "news" under the magnifying glass of critical thinking
Confrontation

Coronavirus "news" under the magnifying glass of critical thinking

The modern digital age is strongly associated with the concepts of post-truth, infodemic and fake news. Together with Viktor Mut'ev, senior lecturer at SPbGIK, we analyze an article about coronavirus using critical thinking techniques

The dark side of the Vikings
Chronicles of the past

The dark side of the Vikings

The author of the article in Stern was deeply impressed by the fact that the Vikings were engaged in the slave trade and themselves used the labor of slaves, and, unlike the Romans, they considered them to be of the lowest class. He urges to stop idealizing medieval Scandinavians, relying on TV shows such as the sensational "Vikings"

How women's legs suffer from fashion stereotypes
Confrontation

How women's legs suffer from fashion stereotypes

After the face, women's legs occupy an honorable second place among body parts that undergo various transformations for the sake of fashion. This material has collected 5 traditions that cause significant damage to the body

How cinema forms false historical memory
Confrontation

How cinema forms false historical memory

Cinema can take the viewer into the past, and sometimes replace history

Why is the Novichok poisoning questionable?
Confrontation

Why is the Novichok poisoning questionable?

Alexei Navalny came to his senses after poisoning, which in Germany is believed to be caused by Soviet-developed chemical weapons. However, close analysis of the data available in the open scientific literature raises doubts as to whether this is the original Novichok. This situation is much more like trying to pretend that it is him

How ordinary water can affect our consciousness
Extraordinary

How ordinary water can affect our consciousness

People are often unhappy with themselves. Some make special efforts to look at the world in a new way and find hidden opportunities in themselves. They go to the mountains, attend trainings or “open the chakras”. Their goal is to become a different person, an improved version of themselves. And since the desire for their own upgrade in people is inexhaustible, the development of science will help to realize it with frightening efficiency

Strange and unusual mental disorders
Extraordinary

Strange and unusual mental disorders

Many people believe that schizophrenia is the only mental illness, and the rest is "well, character problems." However, our psyche is very fragile, and a very real diagnosis can sometimes be hidden behind strange behavior

Why do we need critical thinking?
Confrontation

Why do we need critical thinking?

In today's world that is rich in information

Psychosomatics: the influence of thought on the body
Confrontation

Psychosomatics: the influence of thought on the body

How can something as intangible as thought affect such dense matter as the body?