Why Republicans invented the myth of voter fraud to justify laws that keep American citizens from voting
The myth of mass voter fraud endures as one of the most effective tools for modern voter suppression. Despite decades of evidence confirming that fraud at the ballot box is virtually nonexistent, Republican leaders have cultivated and expanded the falsehood into a...
GOP leaders push extreme partisan maps as they redefine fairness to justify aggressive power grabs
When Indiana adopted new U.S. House districts four years ago, Republican legislative leaders lauded them as “fair maps” that reflected the state’s communities. But when Governor Mike Braun recently tried to redraw the lines to help Republicans gain...
How ranked choice voting limits fringe candidates more effectively than winner-take-all elections
By Ismar Volić, Professor of Mathematics, Director of Institute for Mathematics and Democracy, Wellesley College; Andy Schultz, Professor of Mathematics, Wellesley College; and David McCune, Professor of Mathematics, William Jewel College American democracy is...
Overworked and under pressure: American workers are turning to meditation amidst rising burnout
By Jaime L Kucinskas, Associate Professor of Sociology, Hamilton College Overwork and burnout are affecting many Americans. The American Psychological Association’s 2023 Work and Well-being Survey found that 77% of Americans suffered from workplace stress. Over half...
How Ukraine is reshaping the meaning of victory in modern warfare by using strategic neutralization
Ukraine is redefining what the concept of victory looks like in modern warfare, not by chasing the total destruction of Russia, but by systematically stripping that brutal enemy of the ability to fight effectively. After 46 months of full-scale invasion, the conflict...
Why a lasting peace in Ukraine depends on justice that holds Russia accountable for its crimes
By Valerie Morkevicius, Associate Professor, Political Science, Colgate University Efforts to end the war in Ukraine have grabbed global attention, fueled by debates over U.S. President Donald Trump’s 28-point plan, which many analysts see as favoring Russia, and...
How social media microtrends lure Gen Z into impulse purchases that drain already strained budgets
Did you buy a new pink dress to watch the Barbie movie, only to never wear it again? An Oura ring because your favorite TikTok influencer had it? A new pair of baggy jeans because 1990s fashion is making a comeback? Niche trends fueled by social media can influence...
U.S. workers take on more side jobs to ensure survival as Trump’s policies crush wages and inflate costs
As workers face frozen salaries, inflation and fear of layoffs, some have decided to branch out from their traditional careers. They’re taking on side jobs to bring in additional income and provide a backup plan should they find themselves out of work, or adding...
Employee resource groups that offer community are now confronted with legal and political resistance
After moving to the United States from South Korea at age 6, Jenny Jang found it challenging to navigate through school and her first jobs. “In all of the environments I was in, I was always a minority,” Jang said. “Coming to the States, I...
Corporate America gambles on cryptocurrency as companies transform into bitcoin buying machines
It is one of crypto’s hottest trends: publicly traded companies buying bitcoin and then buying even more. Donald Trump’s media company just announced a plan to raise $2.5 billion to buy bitcoin, joining a growing number of so-called “bitcoin treasury...
Why most Americans misjudge which personal decisions contribute most to climate change
It turns out many Americans aren’t great at identifying which personal decisions contribute most to climate change. A study recently published by the National Academy of Sciences found that when asked to rank actions, such as swapping a car that uses gasoline...
How scientific evidence exposes the organized climate denial that distorts understanding in America
By Gary W. Yohe, Professor of Economics and Environmental Studies, Wesleyan University Scientists are trained to be professional skeptics: to always judge the validity of a claim or finding on the basis of objective, empirical evidence. They are not cynics; they just...
