Jessica Kneipp

Movie Review: ‘The Agony and The Ecstasy’

The Agony and The Ecstasy is a 1965 film directed by Carol Reed. Starring actor Charlton Heston in the lead role, the movie portrays the conflict between renaissance painter Michelangelo (played by Heston) and Pope Julius II during the period the artist was engaged in painting the Sistine Chapel. The plot of ‘The Agony and ...

Jessica Kneipp

Michelangelo's painting in the Sistine Chapel (detail on ceiling).

Hong Kong Activist Agnes Chow, the ‘Real’ Mulan

Disney is busy hyping its upcoming movie Mulan, which is expected to hit theaters in September. However, the film is receiving immense hatred online after its star Liu Yifei insulted Hongkongers by supporting the actions of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in the city. People have also started to call 23-year-old pro-democracy activist Agnes Chow ...

Jessica Kneipp

Agnes Chow.

A Medieval Japanese Technique That Grows Cedar Trees Super Straight

Most of you have heard about the Japanese art of “bonsai,” a technique that allows people to raise miniature versions of trees. However, have you heard of a method called “daisugi”? Unlike bonsai, daisugi enables the Japanese to raise cedar trees that are perfectly straight and that do not have any knots. Growing cedar trees straight up ...

Jessica Kneipp

A man scaling a cedar tree.

Cool Homes: Why You Need a Green Roof

A green roof basically refers to a roof over which a vegetative layer is grown. It can be a garden or simply a bunch of grass. Not only will the greenery make your roof look quite pretty, it also provides your home with numerous benefits. Less heat with a green roof If your home is ...

Jessica Kneipp

A house with a green roof.

The Top 5 Traditional Chinese Painters

Painting is an area that has historically been dominated by European art for the past several centuries. As a result, there has been less focus on other painters, like those from China. Fortunately, things are changing and Chinese artworks by traditional Chinese painters are increasingly getting the attention of collectors and enthusiasts. 5 traditional Chinese ...

Jessica Kneipp

A painting by Dong Yuan.

Taking Good Care of Your Houseplants

Have you decided to buy a houseplant for your home? If so, do you know how to take good care of it? Without proper care, your houseplants can wither and die off quickly. To avoid this, some basic knowledge of plant care is necessary. Some basic knowledge of plant care for housepolants Overwatering houseplants Houseplants ...

Jessica Kneipp

African violets.

6 Things to Know About Red Pandas

People across the world are familiar with the cute giant panda, but have you heard about the little red panda? Despite having the name “panda,” these two creatures are not related at all. Red pandas are native to southwestern China and the eastern Himalayas. 6 facts about red pandas 1. Red pandas and giant pandas ...

Jessica Kneipp

A red panda in young bamboo.

How Kenya Is Reviving Ancient Traditions

Modernity has gifted humanity with many good things. In the process, many practices have been blindly cast out on the pretext that they are useless or outdated. This has created a sense of loss for numerous cultures around the world, with many communities feeling that disregarding their ancient traditions has somehow destroyed their close-knit societies. ...

Jessica Kneipp

Traditional Masai dancers.

Huge Chinese Demand Pushing Helmeted Hornbills Toward Extinction

Helmeted hornbills are a bird that is native to Myanmar, Thailand, Borneo, Sumatra, and the Malay Peninsula. The helmet-like structure on the bird’s head, called a “casque,” accounts for about 10 percent of its total weight and is often used by males during head-to-head combat. Unfortunately, the casque is the source of hornbill ivory, a ...

Jessica Kneipp

The head of a helmeted hornbill.

Crows Thank Caretaker by Returning With Gifts

If you think animals do not have the emotional capacity to be thankful to those who help them, the story of Stuart Dahlquist and his crows should change your mind. He has been feeding a family in the backyard for about 4 years. In return, they gave him a gift for taking care of them! ...

Jessica Kneipp

A crow sitting on a rock.