Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in FYI.
Ever Hear of the Greek Hero Born Hercules?
Classical and Norse mythology first grabbed my attention when I was in middle school in the early '90s, an interest stemming off comic book characters such as Marvel's Thor and Hercules. The former had some relational differences from its source material, but it had all of the names of the Norse Aesir correct (this, long before the Marvel Cinematic Universe turned them from actual gods into extraterrestrial beings). However, the latter of those two heroes, who was often a thorn in Thor's side – though a fellow Avenger – was part of the Greek characters Marvel had, along with his father Zeus and half-brother Ares. Sounds right.... right?
By Michael B Puskar5 years ago in FYI
Mind over matter
Throughout history there have been some incredible stories of people not accepting the cards they were dealt and persevering through incredible adversity. Since I absolutely love sports, I'll focus on a few athletes in particular that just would not that no for an answer and continued to chase their dreams.
By Dyllon Rodillon5 years ago in FYI
Courage and Treason: Then and Now
On January 6th, 2021, the United States Capitol was assaulted by a violent mob. Thanks to the TV cameras and the foolhardy social media posts made the insurrectionist, the evidence of the crime was everywhere in plain sight. Even a few leaders of his own party agreed that the attempted insurrection was aided and abetted, among others, by the then President of the United States. On that fateful day and the days that followed, lost in the midst of all the frenzy, was the deliberate misappropriation by the insurrectionist and their allies in congress, of words and symbols connected to an important battle, that goes back some 2500 years.
By Suresh U. Kumar5 years ago in FYI
Disturbing Loopholes
What comes to mind when you hear the phrase “child bride” or “child marriage?” Do you think of a far-off, poor, desolate country, completely unlike yours and your community? The unfortunate reality is, child marriage happens in the majority of the world, and has historically and disproportionately been an issue which affects young girls.
By B. G. Rosa5 years ago in FYI
Sharks Had a Sixth Sense Before It Was Cool
Many myths and misconceptions surrounding sharks have been perpetuated throughout the last several decades. It seems something about their awe-inspiring and fascinating nature triggers the imagination, which then leads to stories, which eventually leads to fiction being intermingled with facts.
By Rochelle Gordon5 years ago in FYI
Koschei & His Secret Soul
In discussions and popular conversations on folklore and myth you rarely hear his name. Sidelined by Grimm tales and Greek Gods, not favored as well as the Norse, lie the Slavic folktales. Hiding in the shadows of the old world, in deep forests and decrepit castles, they are ancient monsters beings of unspeakable machinations. Forest spirits and mountain gods. The likes of Baba Yaga, Firebird, Leshy, and Chernobog come from these lands. While you may have heard those names, you are probably not as familiar with Koschei the Deathless.
By Lucy Richardson5 years ago in FYI
How to Make a Myth: Captain Kirk Didn’t Invent the Mobile Phone, but Dick Tracy Did
‘Martin Cooper can recall the moment when he was at a break in his lab watching the episode of Star Trek when Kirk used his Communicator to call for help for an injured Spock, which later inspired him to invent the mobile phone.’ Forbes
By Miranda Weindling5 years ago in FYI
Did You Know?
A seahorse seems impossible. It seems unlikely to really be real. Like a unicorn, fairy or dragon, the seahorse has been so legendary, and throughout time in cultures across the globe, have inspired so many incredible medical remedies, art, literature and myths, that it seems too hard to believe that a seahorse lives, day in and day out, right alongside every other normal thing on the planet. Yet, although the seahorse seems like the embodiment of obscurity, magical and mysterious in its underwater existence, it is as real as you and I.
By Tess Celinalaha 5 years ago in FYI
Murder
The sky is covered with black specks flying in circles. Crows! Lots of them. Normally a large group of certain animals are named differently. A herd of cattle, a flock of sheep, but in this case, it is called a “murder of crows” or an “unkindness of crows”. Media, different cultures, and literature sometimes paint these creatures to symbolize death.
By Vinnie Quan5 years ago in FYI
