Tag: The Conversation
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What the settlement left out: Meta can still collect data from kids
In August 2026, Meta agreed to one of the largest consumer protection settlements in American history. The settlement resolves claims from 47 states alleging that Meta intentionally designed ... -
What we forget when we remember 9/11
For much of the past 25 years, each anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks has arrived with reminders to “never forget.” I remember the shock and ... -
The Serpent’s egg: German vote shows rise of far-right in Europe, but it hasn’t been a steady march
The first victory of the Alternative for Germany in a state election has renewed fears of an ascendant far-right in Europe, as voters repeatedly vent discontent ... -
Buddhist life in Thailand extends far beyond meditation
I recently returned from leading a program in Thailand focused on how Buddhists practice religion. The participants – Buddhist practitioners from North America and Europe – ... -
Why social media algorithms send you posts you don’t like
Do your social media accounts feed you content reflecting your beliefs and principles? Our research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences shows ... -
In Taiwan, Mainland-born spouses face questions of loyalty, and discrimination
The day after Li Chen-hsiu was sworn in as a member of Taiwan’s Legislature, she was questioned about whether she belonged — about her nationality, about ... -
China is shaping open-source technology – including AI
As you read this article on your computer or smartphone, you are almost certainly using open-source technology. It forms the foundation of the global digital economy, ... -
THE CEUTA MIRAGE
Runaway online rumors sparked frantic rush by migrants to the Spanish territory of Ceuta It started with Instagram posts that suggested Spain’s border with Morocco was ... -
Jetting off for a summer vacation? How to eat and drink to minimize jet lag
Jet lag threatens to turn even a dream vacation into a slog. And with peak travel season underway, millions of people may have to contend with this disorienting condition, ... -
Autistic children drown at alarming rates – swim lessons and water safety strategies can save their lives
During roasting-hot summer days, more and more people make their way to swimming pools, lakes, rivers and other spots where they can access water to stay ... -
Screen time guidelines for kids and adolescents have shifted as research paints a more nuanced picture
Concerns surrounding young people’s screen time are widespread. Australia became the first country to ban social media for users under 16 in December 2025, and Denmark, Franceand the U.K. have since ... -
The US murder rate fell to historic lows in 2025 – here’s why
The murder rate in 2025 was the lowest in modern American history. Preliminary data shows the murder rate fell nearly 20% from 2024, likely making it the lowest ... -
World Cup propels surveillance to new heights
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the largest sporting event in history. It’s also the most surveilled World Cup ever. If you’re visiting or traveling around host cities, then you ... -
What the tattoos of World Cup players say about their love, life and religious beliefs
As the 2026 FIFA World Cup starts on June 11, 2026, traditional news and social media channels will be full of pictures of the players. Many ... -
US violent crime is at its lowest in more than a century
The United States is experiencing one of the steepest declines in violent crime in modern history, including a murder rate at its lowest point in more ... -
Does frequent worship lead to better mental health?
Worldwide, the landscape of religion is anything but serene. Many denominations are riven by divisions. In some regions, believers face violence. Countless faith leaders have betrayed ... -
Attack threatening Trump reflects rising political violence in US
For the third time in three years, Donald Trump has come under threat by an attacker. Many facts remain unclear after a gunman stormed the Washington ... -
Why the Southeast is burning – extreme drought is only part of the reason
Large parts of the southeastern U.S. are in the midst of an exceptional drought, and it is fueling dozens of wildfires in Florida and Georgia. One of those wildfires, in southeastern Georgia’s ... -
Teens and young adults are driving demand for online abortion pills
Teens in the U.S. are obtaining medication abortion pills through telehealth, and young people age 18 to 24 are ordering medication abortion at much higher rates ... -
Perfect homework, blank stares
The assignment involves no laptop, no chatbot and no technology of any kind. In fact, there’s no pen or paper, either. Instead, students in Chris Schaffer’s ... -
Editing cholesterol is exciting – but swallow the statin for now
If there were ever a disease that tempts scientists to reach for a permanent fix, it is high cholesterol. Pop a pill every day for decades ... -
Has globalization lessened the importance of physical distance?
National economies are increasingly moving in sync and responding to the same booms and busts as a result of near-instantaneous communications and interdependent global supply chains. ... -
‘Inoculation’ helps people spot political deepfakes, study finds
Informing people about political deepfakes through text-based information and interactive games both improve people’s ability to spot AI-generated video and audio that falsely depict politicians, according ... -
Trump’s Greenland threats reveal no-win dilemma at the heart of European security strategy
In the days since a fractious World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzeland, ended, some of Europe’s main players have pushed a narrative of continental togetherness. “Trump makes ... -
Where are those darn keys? Tricks for remembering where you put things
With a scarf dangling from your coat pocket and gloves left behind at the coffee shop, winter creates more opportunities to lose things — not counting ... -
Can shoes alter your mind?
Athletic footwear has entered a new era of ambition. No longer content to promise comfort or performance, some brands now claim their shoes can activate the ... -
Most Venezuelans in the US arrived within the past decade
In 2024, the most recent year for which data is available, an estimated 1 million immigrants from Venezuela lived in the United States. According to the ... -
The North Pole keeps moving – that affects Santa’s holiday travel and yours
When Santa is done delivering presents on Christmas Eve, he must get back home to the North Pole, even if it’s snowing so hard that the ... -
Expert tips to ease financial pressure and avoid holiday overspending
Are you feeling overwhelmed by the pressure to spend money on gifts, parties, and travel this holiday season? The job market is tough, student loan and credit card debt ... -
New industry standards, tech advances make pre-owned electronics a viable gift
Electronic gifts are very popular, and in recent years, retailers have been offering significant discounts on smartphones, e-readers and other electronics labeled as “pre-owned.” Research I ... -
The marketing genius of Spotify Wrapped
I’m guessing I’ll be among Spotify’s top 1% of listeners for an obscure 2004 track titled “Rusty Chevrolet” by the Irish band Shanneyganock. I heard it ... -
Sugar starts corroding your teeth within seconds
Between Halloween candy, Thanksgiving pies and holiday cookies, the end of the year is often packed with opportunities to consume sugar. But what happens in your ... -
Why index funds and ETFs are good for retirees
Older adults likely began their investing careers before exchange-traded funds existed and have stuck with traditional mutual funds. But as retirement approaches, many investors look at ... -
Don’t write off the Putin–Trump summit just yet
Like many such encounters, the Aug. 15, 2025, Alaska red-carpet rollout for Russian President Vladimir Putin is classic Donald Trump: diplomacy as pageantry, emerging seemingly out ... -
Nowadays autocrats use manipulation, not violence
President Donald Trump’s critics often accuse him of harboring authoritarian ambitions. Journalists and scholars have drawn parallels between his leadership style and that of strongmen abroad. ...
