Skip to main content

The context you need, when you need it

When news breaks, you need to understand what actually matters — and what to do about it. At Vox, our mission to help you make sense of the world has never been more vital. But we can’t do it on our own.

We rely on readers like you to fund our journalism. Will you support our work and become a Vox Member today?

Join now

Videos Archive

Archives for December 2014

Almanac
Google knows what your New Year’s resolutions are going to beGoogle knows what your New Year’s resolutions are going to be
Almanac

Let us start the storied annual tradition of dieting and then giving up

By Danielle Kurtzleben
Video
Happy New Year! Here are 7 ways the world is getting better.Happy New Year! Here are 7 ways the world is getting better.
Play
Video

We’re not doing so bad after all, people.

By Joe Posner
Video
11 fascinating facts about currencies from around the world11 fascinating facts about currencies from around the world
Play
Video

These banknotes sure make the dollar bill look boring.

By Estelle Caswell
Almanac
What the world values, in one chartWhat the world values, in one chart
Almanac

The Inglehart-Welzel map offers a global look at our values and beliefs.

By Brandon Ambrosino
Almanac
This is what Christmas dinner at the White House has looked like over the yearsThis is what Christmas dinner at the White House has looked like over the years
Almanac

What tradition? First families eat whatever they want.

By Jenée Desmond-Harris
Almanac
This Christmas letter that J.R.R. Tolkien sent his children will warm your heartThis Christmas letter that J.R.R. Tolkien sent his children will warm your heart
Almanac

“It all happened like this: one very windy day last November my hood blew off and went and stuck on the top of the North Pole.”

By Brandon Ambrosino
Almanac
Caganer — the strangest, most scatological part of Catalan nativity scenes — explainedCaganer — the strangest, most scatological part of Catalan nativity scenes — explained
Almanac

Defecation in the nativity scene doesn’t mock Christianity — it helps explain it.

By Brandon Ambrosino
Video
What does the Bible say about the night Jesus was born?What does the Bible say about the night Jesus was born?
Play
Video

Most Americans believe the basic elements of the nativity story. But is that what the Bible says happened that first Christmas night? Brandon Ambrosino explains in 3 minutes.

By Brandon Ambrosino
Video
If our CO2 emissions weren’t invisible, they’d look like thisIf our CO2 emissions weren’t invisible, they’d look like this
Play
Video

NASA’s high-resolution computer simulation shows how the greenhouse gas moves through Earth’s atmosphere.

By Joss Fong
Almanac
5 surprising facts about the science of swearing5 surprising facts about the science of swearing
Almanac

#1: We seem to be doing more swearing than ever

By Joseph Stromberg
Almanac
How catnip gets your cat highHow catnip gets your cat high
Almanac

This is what happens when you give a psychoactive drug to your pet.

By Joseph Stromberg
Almanac
Insects are having sex in your coffee beans. Seriously.Insects are having sex in your coffee beans. Seriously.
Almanac

Try not to think about it.

By Brandon Ambrosino
Almanac
How the universally hated cubicle came to beHow the universally hated cubicle came to be
Almanac

6 surprising facts about the origins of the modern office

By Joseph Stromberg
Almanac
Some doctors still use leeches. This is what it’s like to be treated by one.Some doctors still use leeches. This is what it’s like to be treated by one.
Almanac

Believe it or not, you won’t feel a thing.

By Joseph Stromberg
Video
Why the Cuba embargo needs to end, explained in 3 minutesWhy the Cuba embargo needs to end, explained in 3 minutes
Play
Video

The US has started normalizing diplomacy with Cuba, but it will take an act of congress to end the embargo. Here are seven reasons why it should.

By Zack Beauchamp