BBC Knowledge - October 2017

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Ready for some magic? Yes, this is a scientific magazine, but, sometimes, isn’t science magical too? We’ve got a fascinating set of experiments this issue in our DIY Science feature – go on, try them all! What’s life without a little fun in the most unexpected ways? Do write in and tell us how you got along…Then, there’s a cool story about how hackers are working their way through the world wide web, causing financial mayhem and political problems, or just indulging in some mischief. Also, on the cool front, but in a totally different way, the giant otters of the Peruvian Amazon are taking on the caimans of the river, and winning for the most part, and we have the beautiful flora and fauna of Ecuador in our Portfolio section. We have the many Caesars of Rome with us too. I was surprised at their diverse personalities and even by just how many they were; I think you will be too. Our other history story details the 1865 tragedy on the Matterhorn, and, even more interestingly, what the opinions on mountaineering were at the time. Among our India stories, alongside Urvashi Butalia’s profile of Premchand this issue, we’re thrilled to have mythology expert Devdutt Pattanaik join us in a new series on Indian mythology. He begins with a analysis of how the perception of the great god Indra has changed down the centuries, and it makes fascinating reading.Because, when it comes down to it, all knowledge is magical, isn’t it?