There’s a social science of terrorism. Science News magazine* devoted a special article to the research of anthropologist Scott Atran** of the University of Michigan. Atran has been on the battlefields of ISIS, Continue reading
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Blog 102. Media fairness is phony
In the June 21-27 issue of The Nation magazine,* journalism professor Eric Alderman says America has been “badly served” by the format of the media he calls “phony both sides.” Continue reading
Blog 99. Why can’t I make a difference?
As best I can tell, satisfaction comes from accomplishing something we regard as useful and meaningful. That seems to be true, whether you are a scientist, entrepreneur, gardener, or Mafia hit man. Most of us want to make a difference. We want to believe we’ve altered something for what we regard as the better. To assert our importance, we erect large monuments in graveyards Continue reading
Blog 98. Minecraft or Mindcraft?
“You’ve got these kids, and they’re creating these worlds, and they think they’re just playing a game, but they have to solve some of the hardest problems facing humanity.” Continue reading
Blog 95. Gentrification by Zen?
The term “Zen” suggests a process that is easy, masterful, and calming—something most of us are eager to experience. (1) And “gentrification” sounds like a gentle transformation of a pig sty into a pastoral abode. However, urban “gentrification” means conversion of decaying inner city housing into a “higher and best use,” Continue reading
Blog 94. Explaining America to Martians (and to ourselves)
I detect an anxiety in America, a palpable tension that has no single focus, that has no one definable cause and no single remedy. If I met a Martian, or even another American, I couldn’t explain it with a single sentence. Continue reading
Blog 92. Saviors are in short supply
I sense that Americans are increasingly defined by fear. Fear of what? Continue reading
Blog 82. Temperature doesn’t forecast climate
Regarding climate change, the political arguments focus on whether the temperature is increasing. It is, but that’s not a firm indicator. Continue reading