Study confirms anecdotal experience: corrections aren’t as viral as misinformation
Recent research published in Science confirms that we'd rather traffic in rumors that are false than in truth, particularly when the subject is political.
Tech & society
Kavanaugh vote reflects tyranny of the minority
On Friday, the U.S. Senate voted 51-49 to send the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court of the United States to the floor of the Senate for a vote. The party-line vote* reflected a studied rejection of wide-ranging calls for delay and/or rejection of the nomination from religious leaders, lawyers and friends of the nominee as well as editorial boards. The vote also reflected the tyranny of the minority that is today's Senate. The GOP holds a narrow majority, 51 seats, in the Senate. However, much like Donald Trump was elected president in 2016 with fewer votes than Hillary Clinton, the GOP Senate represents a minority of Americans. Political scientists have historically focused on the challenges of majority rule on democratic institutions. Tyranny of the majority means it is possible for a majority of those voting to place their interests above, or at the expense of, those in the…continue reading →
Historical context surrounding March for Our Lives movement
MarchForOurLives protest bucks 165 years of history. In 1853, a young man shot a teacher in a Kentucky classroom. He was acquitted; his defense echos that in the Trayvon Martin case.