Social history
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Bunkerised society – why prepping for end times is so American
Millions are preparing for doomsday, not together, but by closing the hatch. It’s a logical response to a hollowed-out state
by Robert Kirsch & Emily Ray
Technology and media
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Why deepfakes pose less of a threat than many predict
Applying Descartes’ sceptical puzzle to deepfake videos reveals the challenge they present is one that we can rise to
by Keith Raymond Harris
Human rights and justice
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Most protests fail. What are activists doing right when they win?
The science of protest reveals successful tactics and common weak points. Those who want change should take it onboard
by Lisa Mueller
Music
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Why did bloody knights write love songs about spring blossoms?
The masculinity of medieval knighthood was expansive enough for both graphic violence and the joys of a flower meadow
by Jennifer Saltzstein
Thinking and intelligence
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The surprising role of deep thinking in conspiracy theories
People who endorse and spread outlandish theories aren’t gullible, they’re drawn to the intoxicating lure of discovery
by Stephen Gadsby & Sander Van de Cruys
Values and beliefs
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What a dream helped me see about the politics of sovereignty
A moment of insight captured the danger in our widespread ‘sovereigntism’ – and how we ought to relate to each other instead
by Rupert Read
Values and beliefs
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A philosophical approach can help you identify what truly matters
We’re often taught to live according to our values, but this is easier said than done without pausing to reflect deeply
by Valerie Tiberius
Decision-making
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How a ‘dominance’ mindset encourages leaders to put others at risk
To find ways to deter this recklessness, we’ve studied the mindset of financiers and others who take ‘moral hazard’ decisions
by Hemant Kakkar & Garrett L Brady
Compassion and empathy
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Many of us have the wrong idea about poverty and toughness
The ‘thick skin bias’ obscures the reality of hardship. We should check our assumptions about those who are struggling
by Nathan Cheek
Identity
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I rebuilt my self-esteem by changing the story of who I am
I once clung to a dubious family legend to help me cope with a difficult childhood. I’ve since found a better story to tell
by Patricia Olsen
Spirituality and religion
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UFO belief is a modern outlet for ancient spiritual yearnings
Even when it’s not explicitly religious, belief in alien visitors resembles our oldest ways of making sense of the world
by Francesco Dimitri
Grief
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After my mom died, I found comfort in a medieval Andalusi tale
Ibn Tufayl’s story of a man mourning the gazelle who raised him helped me appreciate the interconnection of all things
by Veronica Menaldi