The Conversation

Some rich people will love at least one sweetener in Democrats' $3.5 trillion plan

Written by Brent W Ambrose, Jason and Julie Borrelli Faculty Chair in Real Estate and Professor of Real Estate, Penn State

Several lawmakers from high-tax states like New York are pushing for changes to a key tax deduction in Democrats' $3.5 trillion spending package.Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

While liberal lawmakers look for ways to raise taxes on the rich to finance their US$3.5 trillion spending package, some House Democrats are aiming to...

20 years after 9/11, the men charged with responsibility are still waiting for trial – here's why

Written by Lisa Hajjar, Professor of Sociology, University of California Santa Barbara

Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and co-defendants return to court in November.AP Photo/Janet Hamlin

As the 20th anniversary of 9/11 passed, the five men accused of responsibility for the attacks were still awaiting trial in the Guantanamo military commission.

This case is the largest criminal prosecution in U.S. history in terms of number of victims. The...

How the world's biggest Islamic organization drives religious reform in Indonesia – and seeks to influence the Muslim world

Written by Ahmet T. Kuru, Professor of Political Science, San Diego State University

A gathering during the 73rd anniversary of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), in Jakarta, Indonesia in 2019.Eko Siswono Toyudho/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

After its return to power in Afghanistan, the Taliban are again imposing their religious ideology, with restrictions on women’s rights and other repressive measures. They are presenting to the...

Colleges must choose whether to let athletes wear school gear for paid promotions

Written by John Holden, Assistant Professor of Legal Studies, Oklahoma State University

Colleges that let their athletes use their school brand for paid endorsements may appeal more to new recruits. Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Just days after the NCAA changed it rules in June 2021 to let college athletes seek endorsement deals, a college quarterback in the South announced a sponsorship deal with a beverage company.

About the same time,...

21 million Americans say Biden is 'illegitimate' and Trump should be restored by violence, survey finds

Written by Robert A. Pape, Professor of Political Science, University of Chicago

Some Americans are looking past Joe Biden, seeking the return of Donald Trump as president.AP Photo/Julio Cortez

A recent Washington demonstration supporting those charged with crimes for the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol fizzled, with no more than 200 demonstrators showing up. The organizers had promised 700 people would turn out –...

Changing your mind about something as important as vaccination isn't a sign of weakness – being open to new information is the smart way to make choices

Written by Art Markman, Professor of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin College of Liberal Arts

Sticking to your beliefs in a rapidly changing world isn't necessarily the best choice.Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty Images

Culturally, this is an era in which people are held in high esteem when they stick with their beliefs and negatively labeled as “flip-floppers” or “wishy-washy” when they change what they think.

Wh...

Rich kids and poor kids face different rules when it comes to bringing personal items to school

Written by Casey Stocksill, Assistant Professor of Sociology, University of Denver

Some preschoolers are encouraged to bring in their favorite toy or stuffed animal, while others risk having it confiscated.Layland Masuda/Moment Collection via Getty Images

The Research Brief is a short take about interesting academic work.

The big idea

Poor preschoolers get fewer chances than wealthier children to bring their prized personal...

Arctic sea ice hits its minimum extent for the year – 2 NASA scientists explain what's driving the overall decline

Written by Alek Petty, Associate Research Scientist in polar sea ice variability, NASA

Arctic sea ice has been declining overall since NASA began tracking it by satellite in the 1970s.Miemo Penttinen

September marks the end of the summer sea ice melt season and the Arctic sea ice minimum, when sea ice over the Northern Hemisphere ocean reaches its lowest extent of the year.

For ship captains hoping to navigate across the Arctic,...

Harvard's decision to ditch fossil fuel investments reflects changing financial realities and its climate change stance

Written by Susan Gary, Professor Emerita of Law, University of Oregon

Students had demanded for years that Harvard University divest from fossil fuels.Keith Bedford/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

Harvard University will keep phasing out all investments tied to oil, gas and coal, it announced on Sept. 9, 2021. When Larry Bacow, the school’s president, announced this plan, he cast it as a response to climate...

Combatting an invisible killer: New WHO air pollution guidelines recommend sharply lower limits

Written by Laura Corlin, Assistant Professor of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University

New Delhi has had days with air pollution levels nearly 30 times the old World Health Organization guidelines.Sajjad Hussain/AFP via Getty Images

Air pollution is the world’s fourth leading cause of death, contributing to about 13 premature deaths every minute. The gases and tiny particles can travel deep into your lungs, enter your...