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Before the infinity nets, there was ‘The Pacific Ocean’ – what origin stories focusing on Yayoi Kusama’s mental illness miss about her art

Stories of Yayoi Kusama’s life often begin after she moved to New York City from Japan in 1958 and found near-overnight success with her abstract infinity net paintings. These evolved into the infinity rooms and polka-dotted pumpkins that became social media phenomena decades later and the focus of her legacy…

The Conversation · Sep 1

Why do we trust chatbots and how can we use them more wisely? A psychologist explains

Sometime this week, you probably did it: A question came up, and instead of searching for the answer online or reaching for a book, you asked a chatbot for it.

The Conversation · Sep 1

What to do if your vote is challenged: Practical advice for midterm elections

As the 2026 midterm elections enter the final stretch, it’s important to know your rights in case your vote is challenged.

The Conversation · Sep 1

Autonomous weapons can select targets without human help – now is the time for binding rules

Government experts are meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, to work towards a possible negotiating mandate on autonomous weapons systems (AWS). These are military systems that can select and engage targets without human intervention.

The Conversation · Sep 1

War has shifted how power works in Iran

When Washington unveiled its economic “D-Day” on August 19, the latest tightening of the financial siege and the blockade around Iran’s ports, it believed it was applying decisive leverage. But in Tehran the move was read as something else entirely – as confirmation that the US still prefers pressure to…

The Conversation · Sep 1

How 1,200 Saskatchewan teachers have experienced the province’s pronoun policy

In 2023, the Saskatchewan government introduced the Parents’ Bill of Rights with little public consultation, setting off a political and legal battle that quickly reached the province’s schools.

The Conversation · Sep 1

Bayeux tapestry: Matilda of Flanders – the woman who was instrumental to William the Conqueror’s success

Just three women appear in the main body of the Bayeux tapestry: Edith of Wessex, shown grieving at the deathbed of her husband Edward the Confessor; the mysterious and much-debated shrouded figure named Ælfgyva; and a woman fleeing a burning building with her child. Missing from the tapestry is the…

The Conversation · Sep 1

Can producers keep up with our hunger for pistachios?

Pistachio production has more than trebled in the last 20 years. In 2024, more than 1.4 million tonnes were produced globally. Their popularity has only increased in the last two years, with a growing status as a trendy, luxury food item.

The Conversation · Sep 1

Why Tupac lives on in Cape Town 30 years after he was murdered

Thirty years after world famous US rapper Tupac Shakur was gunned down at the age of 25, his legacy has remained a lasting and continuous presence in Africa.

The Conversation · Sep 1

How algorithms are making our environments bland

The Pantone colour of the year for 2026 is white. It’s called Cloud Dancer, which is described as a “lofty white”. This choice reflects a growing trend away from colour in our visual world.

The Conversation · Sep 1