By Clodagh Harrington, Lecturer in American Politics, University College Cork
If the powerful documentary How to Build a Truth Engine had to be compressed into two thematic strands they might be “how the human mind works” and “how our brain can be manipulated by information”. Director Friedrich Moser’s film takes us on a two-hour voyage of explanation, covering issues from cyber-warfare to elections, COVID to conflict and more.
Engaged citizens may find some of it they knew already. However, Moser offers a forensic and evidence-based delivery of how, why and the extent to which technology, events and the manipulation of both has had a powerful and deeply disconcerting…
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By Beer Prakken, PhD student, University of Groningen
It would be safe to assume that around half of US voters don’t find Trump funny. In fact, many would even say that Trump doesn’t have a sense of humour, but whether you personally find him funny or not, humour and play are key to his success.
Trump’s contentious Madison Square…
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By Adriana Craciun, Professor of English and Emma MacLachlan Metcalf Chair of Humanities, Boston University
The Svalbard Global Seed Vault has a practical mission – protecting seeds as a backup for seed banks around the world – but inspires strong cultural, political and artistic reactions.
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By Ting Zhang, Research Scholar of Orthopedics, University of Pittsburgh
Jianying Zhang, Research Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh
Because there are typically no symptoms until the first fracture occurs, osteoporosis is considered a silent disease. Some call it a silent killer.
Osteoporosis is a bone disease characterized by decreased bone density and strength, leading…
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By Benjamin Roulston, Assistant Professor of Physics, Clarkson University
Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, send it to curiouskidsus@theconversation.com.
Why does Jupiter look like it has a surface – even though it doesn’t have one? – Sejal, age 7, Bangalore, India
The planet Jupiter has no solid ground – no surface, like the grass or dirt you tread here…
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By A.D. Carson, Associate Professor of Hip-Hop, University of Virginia
Hip-hop and youth culture have long been intertwined, creating an awkward situation for rappers who want to continue practicing their craft into their 50s, 60s and beyond.
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By Charles Sims, Professor of Economics, University of Tennessee
Partisan squabbling isn’t just annoying – it’s also bad for business.
That’s what my colleagues and I found in a recent study on how uncertainty in environmental policy affects business investment.
First, we analyzed more than 300 million newspaper articles, looking for keywords related to environmental policy uncertainty. We found that this uncertainty spikes around election seasons and has nearly doubled over the past decade.
Then we looked at business…
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By Farha Abassi, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Michigan State University
My three daughters and I arrived in Michigan from Pakistan in 2000.
Moving here was my choice, and I followed the legal process. Before the move, I had often been to the United States. I was familiar with the culture and spoke fluent English, so I thought I was prepared.
Resuming my career as a physician in the U.S. was arduous, but I finally passed all the qualifying exams and completed a psychiatry residency at Michigan State University in 2006. After finishing my studies, I stayed on as faculty.
Of course, there is nothing new or particularly unique about…
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By Loren D. Marsh, Research Fellow, Humboldt University of Berlin
In recent news cycles, there has been a persistent and growing narrative that Trump’s appearances are undisciplined, meandering and damaging his chances in the election. Trump’s critics believe he is narcissistic…
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By Barnaby Joseph Dye, Lecturer, King's College London
Biruk Terrefe, Lecturer & Postdoctoral Researcher, Bayreuth University
Certain ideas have shaped the success and optimism of state-led development in Ethiopia and Rwanda in the first two decades of the 21st century.
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