Posts by Madeleine Muzdakis

Madeleine Muzdakis

Madeleine Muzdakis is a Contributing Writer at My Modern Met and a historian of early modern Britain & the Atlantic world. She holds a BA in History and Mathematics from Brown University and an MA in European & Russian Studies from Yale University. Madeleine has worked in archives and museums for years with a particular focus on photography and arts education. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys hiking, film photography, and studying law while cuddling with her cat Georgia.
Environment
August 4, 2024

Largest Geothermal Development in America Taking Shape in Utah

Shifting to clean energy is a priority for fighting the steady march of catastrophic climate change. Despite the proliferating options for cleaner power, mankind remains quite dependent on coal and oil. Solar, wind, and even ocean wave-generated power are all renewable, clean options for powering our lives and homes. Another super promising source of energy is Earth itself. Geothermal power is a very underutilized source of power in the United States, but it offers incredible potential.

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History
July 14, 2024

Meet the Mysterious Beast of Gévaudan, France’s 18th-Century “Werewolf”

Legends about werewolves are ancient. Mentions of men morphing into wolves appear in ancient Near Eastern, Nordic, and Greek literature and myths. The sensational nature of the mythical creature captures a sense of horror and magic that has endured from these ancient mentions to the modern Twilight. But the fearsome werewolves were particularly sensationalized in certain periods.

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Science
July 9, 2024

Subvocalization: Why Most of Us Have a Voice in Our Heads When We Read

As you read these words, you can probably hear them being pronounced in your head. It's like listening to an audiobook or hearing someone read a fairytale's beginning. This process of reading aloud inside your head is very common, although some people try to purposefully eliminate the practice for faster reading. This internal speech is called subvocalization. Why humans have developed this habit and what it means for cognition are fascinating topics of scientific study.

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My Modern Met

Celebrating creativity and promoting a positive culture by spotlighting the best sides of humanity—from the lighthearted and fun to the thought-provoking and enlightening.