Author: TheConversation

Horror and Anguish: Mental health scars extend far beyond those directly affected by mass shootings

By Arash Javanbakht, Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Wayne State University Yet another community is stricken with grief in the wake of the horrific shooting at Monterey Park, California, on January 21, 2023, that left 11 people dead and 9 more wounded. Families and friends of the victims, as well as those who were injured, are no doubt gripped with grief, anguish and despair. In addition to those who are experiencing direct loss, such events also take a toll on others, including those who witnessed the shooting, first responders, people who were nearby and those who hear about it through...

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Echo Chambers: Why the info ecosystem of cable news drives America’s polarization more than social media

By Homa Hosseinmardi, Associate Research Scientist in Computational Social Science, University of Pennsylvania The past two election cycles have seen an explosion of attention given to “echo chambers,” or communities where a narrow set of views makes people less likely to challenge their own opinions. Much of this concern has focused on the rise of social media, which has radically transformed the information ecosystem. However, when scientists investigated social media echo chambers, they found surprisingly little evidence of them on a large scale – or at least none on a scale large enough to warrant the growing concerns. And...

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How fake news drove the American colonies into a bloody fight for independence

By Jordan Taylor, Adjunct Instructor in History, Indiana University Misinformation is often at the root of political extremism. During the 2022 United States midterm election, some of the most radical politicians in the Republican Party were fueled by the unfounded belief that the previous presidential election in 2020 was stolen. Misinformation as motivation for political action is nothing new. As I explain in my new book, Misinformation Nation, during the American Revolution, the self-declared “Patriot” faction that led the colonies through a bloody fight to independence was guided by a profoundly mistaken belief. These Patriots thought that the British...

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Why the success of bringing manufacturing back to America hinges on training American workers

By Amitrajeet A. Batabyal, Distinguished Professor, Arthur J. Gosnell Professor of Economics, & Interim Head, Department of Sustainability, Rochester Institute of Technology Supply chain disruptions during COVID-19 brought to light how interdependent nations are when it comes to manufacturing. The inability of the U.S. to produce such needed goods as test kits and personal protective equipment during the pandemic revealed our vulnerabilities as a nation. China’s rise as a global production superpower has further underscored the weaknesses of American manufacturing. In addition to fixing supply chain disruptions, bringing manufacturing back to the U.S. will benefit national security. Advanced computer...

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How nonprofits get back on their feet while also playing a key role in local recovery from disasters

By Joy Semien, Research Assistant at the Hazard Reduction and Recovery Center, Texas A&M University When hurricanes, floods and other kinds of disasters throttle a community, people from all over often rush to give those in need money, bottled water, diapers and all sorts of goods. These donations often land at the doorsteps of local nonprofits that are then tasked with distributing them. But while these groups help their communities recuperate, they have to get back on their feet too and can falter if they don’t get what they need. As an urban planning researcher who focuses on disaster...

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Understanding Hikikomori: How shame and trauma push some people to live in extreme social isolation

By Maki Rooksby, Post-doctoral researcher, Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, University of Glasgow; Hamish J. McLeod, Professor of Clinical Psychology, University of Glasgow; and Tadaaki Furuhashi, Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Nagoya University It is fairly normal to sometimes feel like you want to hide away from the stresses and pressures of the outside world. In fact, shortlived periods of withdrawal can reduce acute stress responses and can help us overcome illness and exhaustion. Periods of solace and isolation can also help with important phases of development, such as exploring one’s identity during adolescence. But some people do not reemerge...

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