After a lifetime of pleasing inebriation Laurie Taylor finds that the booze just isn't working anymore
We may be in awe of the elephant, humbled by the humpback whale or tremble at the tiger. But forget these aloof A-listers of the animal world. For a really profound relationship with nature fall head over heels for the hedgehog next door, just like Hugh Warwick
‘Emotional intelligence’, ‘inner child’, ‘self-actualisation’ – the language of popular psychology has infiltrated every level of our culture, and persuaded us to let it all out to reach our life goals. But does this psychobabble actually help? *Stephen Briers* dissects the worst clichés of the Me Generation
What have religion and porridge got in common? Well both are passed on from parent to child in the belief that they are good for us. Surely it's fine to inculcate values and habits in our children we think to be right? But what if we hate the gloopy stuff but force it on the kids because we think we should? Myra Zepf unpacks the analogy
Lost in London, Rory Fenton stumbles upon Brompton Cemetery and its monuments to megalomania, banality and fragile egos.
A quick online search reveals a bizarre world of "healing" through the powers of angels and unicorns. It's a thriving industry, but are the practitioners for real?
After the binge comes the purge. But, warns Sarah Ditum, forgo the flashy trainers and ditch the detox – there is another way
What lies behind the tenacious myth of the Pharaohs’ revenge? Roger Luckhurst lifts the lid
The medieval Devon town of Totnes is the capital city of pseudoscience, but local rationalists are mounting a fightback. James Gray goes through the wardrobe
Humans have invented an endless series of strategies to try and outwit the Grim Reaper. Stephen Cave explores our fascination with immortality