The Conversation

'Mistaken, misread, misquoted, mislabeled, and mis-spoken' -- what Woody Guthrie wrote about the national debt debate in Congress during the Depression

Written by Mark Allan Jackson, Professor of English, Middle Tennessee State University

Guthrie questioned whether politicians really cared about the public interest -- such as the welfare of these veterans demonstrating in front of Congress in 1932.Senate Historical Office

The debt ceiling debate between the House GOP and President Joe Biden could, if not solved, lead to economic chaos and destruction – so it might seem...

Pivotal points in the COVID-19 pandemic – 5 essential reads

Written by Amanda Mascarelli, Senior Health and Medicine Editor

SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, has evolved over time into multiple variants and sublineages. loops7 / E+ via Getty Images

Experts have made it clear that the end of the COVID-19 national emergency, which was lifted on May 11, 2023, does not mean an end to the pandemic. But this shift signals a remarkable turning point in a pandemic...

Symbols of the Confederacy are slowly coming down from US military bases: 3 essential reads

Written by Howard Manly, Race + Equity Editor, The Conversation US

People pose next to a newly unveiled Fort Moore sign on May 11, 2023.Cheney Orr/AFP via Getty Images

Without much fanfare, a federal panel is removing the names of Confederate generals from U.S. military bases and replacing them with names that exemplify modern-day values and patriotism.

Most recently, on May 11, 2023, the U.S. Army base in Georgia o...

Attacks on 'segregated' graduation ceremonies overlook the history of racism on campus

Written by Crystal Garcia, Assistant Professor of Educational Administration, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

'Affinity' graduations for certain groups take place on campuses throughout the U.S.Jose Luis Pelaez Inc / Getty Images

For most college students, graduation is a one-time event. But for a growing number of students from various groups, such as students of color or LGTBQ students, there might be multiple graduation ceremonies to attend.

These...

Three lessons from Aristotle on friendship

Written by Emily Katz, Associate Professor of Ancient Greek Philosophy, Michigan State University

Aristotle (center), wearing a blue robe, seen in a discourse with Plato in a 16th century fresco, 'The School of Athens' by Raphael.Pascal Deloche/Stone via Getty Images

While most love songs are inspired by the joys and heartaches of romantic relationships, love between friends can be just as intense and complicated. Many people struggle to make...

Barbara Kingsolver's 'Demon Copperhead' and the enduring devastation of the opioid crisis

Written by William Nash, Professor of American Studies and English and American Literatures, Middlebury

Barbara Kingsolver's protagonist, Demon, is much more than his drug habit.SergioZacchi/iStock via Getty Images

Barbara Kingsolver’s literary honors range from the National Book Prize of South Africa to the PEN/Faulkner Award.

On May 8, 2023, she added a Pulitzer Prize to her accolades.

Her winning novel, “Demon Copperhead,” is...

Vaccines using mRNA can protect farm animals against diseases traditional ones may not – and there are safeguards to ensure they won't end up in your food

Written by David Verhoeven, Assistant Professor of Vet Microbiology and Preventive Medicine, Iowa State University

Vaccines help protect farm animals from various diseases.dusanpetkovic/iStock via Getty Images Plus

While effective vaccines for COVID-19 should have heralded the benefits of mRNA vaccines, fear and misinformation about their supposed dangers circulated at the same time. These misconceptions about mRNA vaccines have recently spilled over into...

Bees can learn, remember, think and make decisions – here's a look at how they navigate the world

Written by Stephen Buchmann, Adjunct Professor of Entomology and of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona

A bumblebee lands on the flowers of a white sloe bush. Soeren Stache/picture alliance via Getty Images

As trees and flowers blossom in spring, bees emerge from their winter nests and burrows. For many species it’s time to mate, and some will start new solitary nests or colonies.

Bees and other pollinators are essential to human society. They...

Lack of affordable childcare is hurting young farm families' ability to grow their businesses – the US farm bill may finally offer some help

Written by Shoshanah Inwood, Associate Professor of Rural Sociology, The Ohio State University

Kerissa and Charlie Payne are beginning farmers living their dream of raising two daughters on a farm in Central Ohio. By conventional measures, their livestock farm, Covey Rise, is a success. Yet, below the surface, the challenge of finding quality affordable child care has kept their business from growing and reaching its full potential.

“It...

How China uses 'geostrategic corruption' to exert its influence in Latin America

Written by Eduardo Gamarra, Professor of Politics and International Relations, Florida International University

The successful courting of Honduras is the latest example of China's influence in Latin America.Lintao Zhang/Pool/Getty Images

Corruption has long been a scourge in parts of Latin America.

Traditionally, it has funneled down domestic routes, with local politicians, business interests and drug lords benefiting from graft and dodgy dealings. Indeed,...