Sideways Glance

Citizens carrying a placard reading "Coward, Chicken, Yellow-Belly (top) and They, didn't hide. They they did not run (Bottom)" take part in a Hundreds of thousands of French citizens solidarity march (Marche Republicaine) in the streets of Paris January

Finding the courage to write about cowardice

"Coward. Chicken. Yellow-belly." Those were insults the French used against the gunmen who carried out the Charlie Hebdo attacks in January. Cowardice, in fact, is currently enjoying a bit of global resurgence as a put-down. So much so that Boston University professor Chris Walsh decided it was time to write a book about the subject. The first hurdle? Finding source material.

Finding the courage to write about cowardice
Steve Gosskie, the 2013 Featherbowling chamption in the Cadieux Cafe. Gosskie holds the second portrait that Jerry Lemenu painted for him. The first was stolen and never returned.

Featherbowling is an almost unknown sport — but not at this Detroit café

Featherbowling is an almost unknown sport — but not at this Detroit café
Fatty Arbuckle (center) riding in The Whip, one of William F. Mangels' classic rides. At one time, Mangels had 500 of them in operation.

It took a 'cranky,' dour immigrant to make Coney Island the capital of fun

It took a 'cranky,' dour immigrant to make Coney Island the capital of fun
Morrissey_1

The love affair between Mexican Americans and Morrissey isn't that surprising

The love affair between Mexican Americans and Morrissey isn't that surprising
Julius Kacinskis outside of “Peacemaker,” the pop-up shop on East 20th Street in Manhattan where he sells Vladimir Putin t-shirts that he designed. “People portray Putin as a mean guy,” Kacinskis says, “so we gotta educate people."

Even if you don't like Vladimir Putin, you're welcome at the store where he's Superman

Even if you don't like Vladimir Putin, you're welcome at the store where he's Superman
The Russian film "Da i Da" ("Yes and Yes") directed by Valeria Gai Germanika

Russian curses are inventive, widely-used — and banned

Russian filmmakers must either avoid using profane dialogue or seek alternative ways to show their films, now that Russian 'mat' is no longer permitted in public performances

Russian curses are inventive, widely-used — and banned
A Kirin staff member poses with its new craft beer product "Spring Valley Brewery 496 prototype," which was launched in July 2014. Craft styles are increasingly migrating from the United States to other countries.

America's craft brewers are inspiring beer lovers — and makers — across the globe

It wasn't that long ago that the American beer landscape was a wasteland of watery lagers. But now more than 3,000 breweries and craft brewers like Sean Lewis are churning out world-class beers that influence brewers and beer lovers worldwide.

America's craft brewers are inspiring beer lovers — and makers — across the globe
The World

You might want extra life insurance before trying some of the recipes in this cookbook

Since 1991, the Ig Nobel prizes have been awarded, tongue firmly in cheek, to researchers whose work "first makes you laugh, then makes you think." The theme of this year's Ig Nobel ceremony? Food. And with that, we have this review of the Ig Nobel Cookbook, Volume I.

You might want extra life insurance before trying some of the recipes in this cookbook
The World

How a Chicago bluegrass band rocked Nigeria's music scene

Bluegrass covers of pop and rock music abound abound. But none have quite the back story of The Henhouse Prowlers' version of "Chop My Money,"a cover of a Nigerian hip-hop mega-hit that created a frenzy in the country when the band toured there this summer.

How a Chicago bluegrass band rocked Nigeria's music scene
The BP Amoco yard in Greenpoint, Brooklyn is one of the stops during The Poison Cauldron tour. Refining ceased along Newtown Creek in the 1960s, and today the name of the game is petroleum distribution from fuel barge fed tank farms like this.

Want to tour a toxic beach? 'Anti-tourism' explores the darker, dirtier corners of the world

The latest trend in tourism doesn't look like tourism at all. With the help of some adventurous tour guides, young urbanites are seeking out the world's most unusual, gross and often dangerous locales.

Want to tour a toxic beach? 'Anti-tourism' explores the darker, dirtier corners of the world
Rock band AC/DC lead guitarist Angus Young (R) and vocalist Brian Johnson perform during a concert at the Telenor Arena in Fornebu, near Oslo February 18, 2009.

Why you should proudly wear your love of Australian rockers AC/DC on your sleeve

Tired of all the homogenized, pseudo-intellectual music you hear on most public radio? Yeah, The World's Clark Boyd is too. He argues it's time to go back to basics. And he says a good place to start is with Aussie rock greats AC/DC.

Why you should proudly wear your love of Australian rockers AC/DC on your sleeve
Sille Kongstad's bicycle-powered hearse is unveiled at Tivoli Gardens amusement park in Copenhagen

How to get one final, bicycle-powered ride in Copenhagen

Funeral homes are offering more and more alternatives these days when it comes to burials. For example, Danish funeral director Sille Kongstad's come up with a cleaner, greener way to take a last spin through Copenhagen. It's a bicycle-powered hearse, and it is truly one sweet final ride.

How to get one final, bicycle-powered ride in Copenhagen
Even the Smurfs, a Belgian favorite, are getting into the soccer act in Brussels

How one American in Brussels is dealing with the upcoming World Cup clash between the US and Belgium

No more ties. No more "losing," but still "winning." All bets are off at the World Cup in Brazil, and if you lose, you're going home. So now that it's serious, it means that Americans overseas have to decide where their loyalties lie. From his perch in a Brussels cafe, The World's Clark Boyd comes to terms with Tuesday's clash between the US and Belgium.

How one American in Brussels is dealing with the upcoming World Cup clash between the US and Belgium
Greece's Kostas Katsouranis (L) receives a red card from referee Joel Aguilar of El Salvador during their 2014 World Cup soccer match against Japan, June 19, 2014.

How do 32 teams from 32 countries communicate at the World Cup?

With so many players and referees from different parts of the globe it's a wonder that World Cup soccer games operate as smoothly as they do. But, miscommunication has occurred on the field. In fact it was one incident during the 1966 World Cup in England that gave birth to the red card, yellow card system.

How do 32 teams from 32 countries communicate at the World Cup?
A Belgium fan shouts before the 2014 World Cup Group H soccer match between Belgium and Algeria at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte

If you like your soccer relationships complicated, then support Belgium during this World Cup

The World Cup is trouble for anyone on the fence about soccer. Everything from scoreless ties to animals predicting the outcome of the games is enough to drive someone nuts. Still, The World's Clark Boyd is trying to fall in love with the "beautiful game." And that's why he's rooting for Belgium.

If you like your soccer relationships complicated, then support Belgium during this World Cup