In Africa's Kalahari Desert as well as some areas around the Mediterranean, trees and bushes grow in clumps scattered in seemingly random locations across an otherwise barren landscape. Two new studies have discovered a fractal pattern in this seeming randomness, and they offer a novel explanation of how it comes about. One study suggests that areas without such a pattern are on the edge of collapse, and that further pressure could tip them into becoming barren deserts.

About 50 Boulder High School students walked out of class Thursday to protest the daily reading of the Pledge of Allegiance and recited their own version, omitting "one nation, under God."

In this conversation with D.J. Grothe, Joe Nickell explores what he calls the “new idolatry,” the term he uses to refer to weeping religious icons and statues that stream tears of blood, become animated, and weep human tears, among other supernatural claims. He recounts his investigation of a number of such cases, and defends his investigative approach. He also talks about why such investigation is important, even in a society where everyone is entitled to believe as he or she chooses.

The American short story is alive and well.

Do you like the sound of that? Me too. I only wish it were actually true. The art form is still alive — that I can testify to. As editor of “The Best American Short Stories 2007,” I read hundreds of them, and a great many were good stories. Some were very good. And some seemed to touch greatness. But “well”? That’s a different story.