The case for optimism
Things aren’t what they used to be: they’re actually better. Yet even though many measures show how much progress we’ve made, many people feel like things are worse than ever. How do we change this pe...
6 Nov 202430min
Plastic in our blood? That’s a problem.
Our planet is filled with plastic. On average, we produce 430 million tons every year, most of which is used only for a short period of time and then discarded. But plastic isn’t just in the environme...
23 Okt 202428min
The case for a liberal arts education
College is expensive. Even with ramped-up financial aid efforts from universities, people are still trying to decide if tuition will lead to a smart return on their investment. Is a liberal arts educa...
9 Okt 202427min
Why school cellphone bans are spreading
Schools are banning cellphones. And some states and cities are passing legislation that restricts student phone use in the classroom. Both parents and students have pushed back, yet schools say the re...
25 Sep 202430min
How far has COVID set back students?
American schools have not recovered from the pandemic. On average, schools have lost half a grade level in math and a little less than that in reading. Some students have rebounded, but others are in ...
8 Maj 202429min
Forgiving what you can’t forget
We’ve all held a grudge. As humans, we’ve all been hurt — and have hurt others. Forgiveness can be a way to release those negative emotions. What’s more, recent research shows forgiveness is linked to...
24 Apr 202428min
The promise and peril of AI
The capabilities of artificial intelligence have fallen short of human imagination. They’re now catching up, advancing at an alarming rate. It raises the question: How do we develop these technologies...
10 Apr 202427min
What dying people actually need
Nothing is certain except death and taxes. Yet the inevitability of death doesn’t prevent the discomfort and uncertainty felt by those facing the end of their lives. Many experience long deaths in hos...
27 Mars 202426min
