Science Why are diamonds clear, but coal black? Maggie Koerth

fake news Tom Cruise’s healing touch, Nazi Roseanne, and Vanna White’s hooker scandal, in this week’s dubious tabloids Peter Sheridan

ireland Mystery of The Giant's Causeway in Ireland has been unlocked Seamus Bellamy

syria How a small group of geeks led the Syrian refugee surge David Pescovitz

star wars Hang the Jedi Jay Allen

lethem The Ecstasist: A Conversation with the Novelist Jonathan Lethem Mark Dery

Cheese is the chameleon of the food world Gastropod

Breakfast: the most important meal of the day? Gastropod

paint The anxiety of unplugging and why we should disconnect to connect Tanya Schevitz