Cultural Relativism

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Recognizing the importance of our social environment in generating customs and beliefs, many people suppose that ethical relativism is the correct metaethical theory. Furthermore, they are drawn to it for its liberal philosophical stance. It seems to be an enlightened response to the sin of ethnocentricity, and it seems to entail or strongly imply an attitude of tolerance toward other cultures. 

Tolerance is certainly a virtue, but is this a good argument for it? I think not. If morality is relative to each culture, then if the culture in question does not have a principle of tolerance, its members have no obligation to be tolerant. 

Not only do relativists fail to offer a basis for criticizing those who are intolerant, they cannot rationally criticize anyone who espouses what they might regard as a heinous principle. Relativists cannot morally criticize anyone outside their own culture. Adolf Hitler’s genocidal actions, as long as they are culturally accepted, are as morally legitimate as Mother Teresa’s work of mercy. 

There are other disturbing consequences of ethical relativism. It seems to entail that reformers are always (morally) wrong since they go against the tide of cultural standards. William Wilberforce was wrong in the eighteenth Century to oppose slavery, the British were immoral in opposing the burning of widows in India. 

There is an even more basic problem with the notion that morality is dependent on cultural acceptance for its validity. The problem is that of culture or society is notoriously difficult to define. This is especially true in a pluralistic society like our own where the notion seems to be vague with unclear boundaries. 

One person may belong to several societies (subcultures).. if Mary is a US citizen and a member of the Roman Catholic church, she is wrong if she chooses to have an abortion and not-wrong if she acts against the teaching of the church on abortion. 

This moral Babel.. has lost its action-guiding function. 

Louis Pojman, Ethical Theory

Unlearning

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When you discover the fatal love letter or get the news that you’ve been fired, it’s pointless to talk about old realities and new ones. But later, it is important to reflect on these things, for with realities as with identities and connections, the old must be cleared away before the new can grow. The mind is a vessel that must be emptied if new wine is to be put in.

This process is hard to take in more than just a natural, personal sense; it goes against the grain of our culture, which tends to view growth as an additive process. We did not have to unlearn the first grade to go on to the second, for example, forget Sunday school when we joined the church.

The entire termination process violates our too-seldom examined idea that development means gain and has nothing to do with less.

William Bridges, Transitions

I already know you so why should I listen?

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The closer we feel toward someone, the less likely we are to listen carefully to them. It’s called the closeness-communication bias and, over time, it can strain, and even end, relationships.

Once you know people well enough to feel close, there’s an unconscious tendency to tune them out because you think you already know what they are going to say. It’s kind of like when you’ve traveled a certain route several times and no longer notice signposts and scenery.

Nicholas Epley, a professor of behavioral science at the University of Chicago says a prime example was when he gave his wife what he thought was the perfect gift: a behind-the-scenes tour of the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, during which she would get to feed the dolphins, beluga whales and penguins. He thought she’d love it because she’d once expressed interest in swimming with dolphins. But she didn’t love it. At all. She was annoyed because she was pregnant at the time and suffering from morning sickness. Just the thought of touching a dead fish made her want to vomit.

“I didn’t stop to think, ’Is this the right gift given where my wife is now in her life?’ I hadn’t really been listening well enough to know where she was,” Dr. Epley said. “We all develop stereotypes of the people we know well, and those stereotypes lead us to make mistakes.” 

Kate Murphy, writing in the New York Times, author of You’re Not Listening: What You’re Missing and Why It Matters

Articles of Interest about Higher Ed - Feb 15

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***HIGHER ED

Northeast Minnesota colleges plan to merge http://www.timberjay.com/stories/northeast-minnesota-colleges-plan-to-merge,15954

 The 10 most politically conservative colleges in the country https://www.al.com/news/2020/02/alabama-college-named-one-of-the-most-conservative-in-the-country.html

Proposed Ed Dept rule has Higher Ed lobbyists worried about possible loss of federal grants for public colleges over barring recognition of religious groups with membership restrictions https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2020/02/07/colleges-worry-about-implications-religious-freedom-rule

After a complaint that many white students were using the University of Virginia's Multicultural Student Center, the administration emphasizes that all are allowed in the space. https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2020/02/14/university-virginia-clarifies-all-students-allowed-multicultural-center

Indiana University cuts short student-planned SexFest after paddling controversy https://www.thefire.org/indiana-university-cuts-short-student-planned-sexfest-after-paddling-controversy/

This college was accredited by a DeVos-sanctioned group--We couldn’t find evidence of students or faculty https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/education/2020/02/15/college-accreditation-department-education-betsy-devos-south-dakota-sioux-falls/4746906002/

UC finds problems with how it admits some students, including athletes and artistshttps://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-02-14/uc-audit-finds-problems-in-how-it-admits-special-students-including-athletes-and-artists  

How one university is teaching through the coronavirus outbreak https://www.educationdive.com/news/how-one-university-is-teaching-through-the-coronavirus-outbreak/572385/

Education Department Unveils Fix For Troubled Student Loan Forgiveness Program https://www.npr.org/2020/01/31/801367031/education-dept-unveils-fix-for-student-loan-programs-bureaucratic-nightmare

 

***HIGHER ED & FINANCE

Loyola Chicago faculty group is pushing back against major cuts to its English language learning program https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2020/02/05/loyola-faculty-group-pushing-back-against-major-cuts-its-english-language-learning

Proposed Education Department rule has higher ed lobbyists worried about possible loss of federal grants for public colleges over barring recognition of religious groups with membership restrictions. https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2020/02/07/colleges-worry-about-implications-religious-freedom-rule 

Cal State San Marcos audit shows cross-country road trip, Guns N’ Roses show and phantom dinner guests https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-02-13/cal-state-san-marcos-audit

 

***HIGHER ED IN COURT

Religious Bias Lawsuit Against Louisiana College Settled https://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2020/02/14/religious-bias-lawsuit-against-louisiana-college-settled

***TEACHING

New research finds male college students are more likely to ask for grade changes https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2020/02/05/study-male-students-ask-grade-changes-far-more-frequently-female-students

Research Shows Teaching Kids Digital Literacy Beats Limiting Screen Time: 5 Ways to Do It https://www.inc.com/jessica-stillman/research-shows-teaching-kids-digital-literacy-beats-limiting-screen-time-5-ways-to-do-it.html

 

***ACADEMIC LIFE 

University professor compares 'OK, boomer' to 'n-word,' students say https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/11/us/oklahoma-professor-n-word-ok-boomer/

MIT puts professor on leave over new revelations about his ties to Jeffrey Epstein as it issues anticipated report https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2020/01/13/mit-puts-professor-leave-over-new-revelations-about-his-ties-jeffrey-epstein

MLA members discuss professors' ethical responsibilities for training graduate students, as some propose shifts in admissions practices. https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2020/01/13/mla-discusses-professors-ethical-responsibilities-training-graduate-students

A former Montana State assistant professor is appealing to the State Supreme Court https://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/news/montana_state_university/ex-msu-professor-appeals-firing-to-supreme-court/article_a40e90f7-4ae3-5bc3-abf3-13bc123c5f5b.html

Faculty members at Lee College object to new annual contracts https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2020/02/10/faculty-members-lee-college-object-new-one-year-contracts

Federal court dismisses lawsuit from evangelical professor disciplined for misgendering trans student https://www.metroweekly.com/2020/02/federal-court-dismisses-lawsuit-from-shawnee-state-professor-disciplined-for-misgendering-trans-student/

Ball State University professor suspended after calling cops on Black student https://thegrio.com/2020/02/14/ball-state-university-professor-suspended-after-calling-cops-on-black-student/ 

UCF professors implicated in alleged cheating scandal say investigation was ‘sloppy and flawed’ https://www.wftv.com/news/local/orange-county/ucf-professors-implicated-alleged-cheating-scandal-say-investigation-was-sloppy-flawed/TARNDEKFRNCEXCDBOWMKLTSVPU/

Professors oppose use of peer review reports in tenure case https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/professors-oppose-use-peer-review-reports-tenure-case

 

***CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS  

Christian Colleges Should Interact With World, Not Oppose It (opinion) https://sojo.net/articles/christian-colleges-should-interact-world-not-oppose-it

Abuse survivor and activist Rachael Denhollande urges Christian colleges to condemn sex abuse https://www.baptiststandard.com/news/faith-culture/denhollander-urges-christian-colleges-to-condemn-sex-abuse/

Christian colleges oppose Title IX due process reforms as ‘barrier’ to the truth  https://www.thecollegefix.com/christian-academic-organization-president-calls-new-title-ix-regulations-a-barrier-to-truth/ 

After Taking Over Art School, Belmont U. Will Fire Non-Christian Faculty Members https://friendlyatheist.patheos.com/2020/02/03/after-taking-over-art-school-belmont-u-will-fire-non-christian-faculty-members/

Christian College Grads Care More About Helping, Less About Money  https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2020/february/cardus-study-christian-college-university-difference.html

Researchers study tattoos on Christian campus https://www.baptiststandard.com/news/faith-culture/researchers-study-tattoos-on-christian-campus/

Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr.: ‘We Treat Students Like Customers’ https://www.mediaite.com/tv/liberty-university-president-jerry-falwell-jr-we-treat-students-like-customers/

Baylor speaker’s prayer sparks campus controversy: offers prayer to "Mother Mystery"  https://www.kwtx.com/content/news/BU-speakers-prayer-to-Mother-Mystery-sparks-campus-controversy-567855401.html

Alice Walker brings warmth and wisdom to the Writer’s Symposium by the Sea in Point Loma  https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/columnists/story/2020-02-15/column-alice-walker-brings-warmth-and-wisdom-to-the-writers-symposium-by-the-sea-in-point-loma

PLNU women’s basketball team signs 15-year-old battling rare disorder https://fox5sandiego.com/sports/plnu-womens-basketball-team-signs-15-year-old-battling-rare-disorder/   

 

***RESEARCH

If articles about a Schrödinger equation are retracted, do they still exist? https://retractionwatch.com/2020/02/03/if-articles-about-a-schrodinger-equation-are-retracted-do-they-still-exist/ 

What Research Institutions Can Do to Foster Research Integrity https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11948-020-00178-5

Preprints can fill a void in times of rapidly changing science https://www.statnews.com/2020/01/31/preprints-fill-void-rapidly-changing-science/

Impact Factor vs Integrity Factor: Which Siren Should Be Our Guide? https://aocs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/lipd.12214

The Research Literature Looks Too Good to Be True https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/meta-uncertainty/202002/the-research-literature-looks-too-good-be-true

 

***PLAGIARISM

Primer on plagiarism: Top tips for Editors when facing plagiarism issues https://www.wiley.com/network/journaleditors/editors/primer-on-plagiarism-top-tips-for-editors-when-facing-plagiarism-issues

A feudal approach to intellectual property has turned the academy into a modern police state https://www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/plagiarism-hunters-please-lay-down-your-weapons

10 types of plagiarism in research https://www.wiley.com/network/researchers/submission-and-navigating-peer-review/10-types-of-plagiarism-in-research

 

***STUDENT LIFE

University of California report says UC should keep SATs https://apnews.com/c8513f954032cf4465c5b383ff9b36de

2020’s Best & Worst States for Singles https://wallethub.com/edu/best-states-for-singles/31667/ 

BuzzFeed News is recruiting teenagers to make election-themed TikTok and Instagram videos https://www.niemanlab.org/2020/02/teen-ambassadors-buzzfeed/

Student Loan Company Accidentally Sends Ohio Man 55,000 Copies of Same Letter About Daughter's Tuition   https://people.com/human-interest/student-loan-company-sends-ohio-man-thousands-copies-of-same-letter/

Editor in chief criticizes Radford’s newspaper theft investigation https://splc.org/2020/02/radford-university-student-paper-newspaper-theft-proposed-prior-review/

 

***SEXUAL HARASSMENT & ASSAULT

A federal appeals court's decision in California puts pressure on institutions to ensure Title IX policies and procedures effectively prevent sexual misconduct https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2020/01/31/appeals-court-holds-university-liable-ineffective-title-ix-policies

Dozens of woman now accuse prominent Columbia University Ob-Gyn of sexual assault https://boingboing.net/2020/02/14/dozens-of-woman-now-accuse-pro.html

 

 

Articles of Interest about Religion - Feb 14

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***RELIGION

Mormons (and everyone else) will soon have access to the Church's Handbook https://religionnews.com/2020/01/31/mormons-and-everyone-else-will-soon-have-access-to-the-churchs-handbook/

What is the future of the Intelligent Design movement? https://www.christianpost.com/news/what-is-the-future-of-the-intelligent-design-movement.html

 American Atheists’ president on how the media mishandles the nonreligious https://www.cjr.org/special_report/american-atheists-nick-fish.php

Franklin Graham has been dropped by every single venue on his upcoming UK tour  https://www.businessinsider.com/evangelical-pastor-franklin-graham-uk-tour-venue-dropped-2020-2

How Kanye West's Controversial "Jesus Is King" Is Dividing the Christian Community https://time.com/5716576/kanye-west-jesus-is-king-gospel-reaction/

 

***RELIGION AND POLITICS 

Sekulow-run Christian charities steered $65M to the Trump lawyer and his family https://religionnews.com/2020/01/31/sekulow-run-christian-charities-steered-65m-to-the-trump-lawyer-and-his-family/

Trump Jr. dismisses 'likelihood' of Pelosi praying for Trump with Satan comparison https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/481925-trump-jr-dismisses-likelihood-of-pelosi-praying-for-trump-with

Socialism and Atheism Still U.S. Political Liabilities https://news.gallup.com/poll/285563/socialism-atheism-political-liabilities.aspx

Even for Christians, Trump Has Become a Dating Deal-Breaker https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2020/february/evangelical-political-dating-dealbreakers-trump-aei-survey.html

How Political Campaigns Are Using 'Geofencing' Technology To Target Catholics At Mass https://www.npr.org/2020/02/06/803508851/how-political-campaigns-are-using-geofencing-technology-to-target-catholics-at-m

 

***RELIGION & THE LAW 

Caught between gender equality and religious liberty (opinion) https://religionnews.com/2020/01/13/caught-between-gender-equality-and-religious-liberty/

Vimeo Defeats Lawsuit for Terminating Account That Posted Conversion Therapy Videos  https://blog.ericgoldman.org/archives/2020/01/vimeo-defeats-lawsuit-for-terminating-account-that-posted-conversion-therapy-videos-domen-v-vimeo.htm

 

***BAPTISTS

Church expelled from Baptist group for LGBTQ views https://www.cbs46.com/news/church-expelled-from-baptist-group-for-lgbtq-views-pastor-says/article_b24f9b52-4de5-11ea-afc5-b7e53b4c3acd.html

Top Southern Baptist leader resigns over inappropriate relationship, now leads S.C. church https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/religion/2020/02/14/frank-page-southern-baptist-leader-resigned-inappropriate-relationship-leading-south-carolina-church/4753620002/

SBC pastors threaten boycott over inclusion of San Diego female teaching pastor at conference https://www.christianpost.com/news/sbc-pastors-threaten-boycott-over-inclusion-of-female-teaching-pastor-hosanna-wong-at-conference.html

 

***MEGACHURCHES 

Willow Creek and Harvest Struggle to Move On https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2020/february-web-only/willow-creek-harvest-after-hybels-macdonald-moving-on.html

More Abuse Allegations Turn Up At Chicago Megachurch https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2020/01/30/more-abuse-allegations-turn-up-at-willow-creek-church/

Megachurch Pastor allowed volunteer who was attracted to minors to work with children  https://religionnews.com/2020/02/03/pastor-john-ortberg-allowed-volunteer-who-was-attracted-to-minors-to-work-with-children/

Megachurch pastor: Christian celebrity life left him ‘empty’ as he seeks to expand new church https://www.christianpost.com/news/perry-noble-says-christian-celebrity-life-left-him-empty-as-he-seeks-to-expand-new-church.html   

Singapore mega-church takes services online after virus cases jump https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-health-singapore-church/singapore-mega-church-takes-services-online-after-virus-cases-jump-idUSKBN2080HN

***RELIGION & SEXUAL ABUSE

What Does A Secret Database Kept By Jehovah’s Witnesses Reveal About Potential Sexual Abusers? https://www.oxygen.com/the-witnesses/crime-news/jehovahs-witnesses-keep-secret-database-of-potential-sexual-predators

Lawsuit: Mexican megachurch leaders abused woman for years https://www.yourvalley.net/stories/lawsuit-mexican-megachurch-leaders-abused-woman-for-years,139291

 

***RELIGION & CRIME

Former Texas Pastor shows up at his daughter's college and tries to choke her to death after he killed his wife and son https://www.khou.com/article/news/crime/richard-logan-attacked-his-daughter-in-san-marcos-after-killing-wife-and-son-sugar-land-police-say/285-a7595276-197a-4345-a6ca-3480ed996bf6

Catholic seminary teacher charged with stalking WKBW news reporter https://buffalonews.com/2020/02/12/catholic-seminary-teacher-charged-with-stalking-news-reporter/

When the facts change

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According to David Perkins of Harvard University, the brighter people are, the more deftly they can conjure up post-hoc justifications for arguments that back their own side. Brainboxes are as likely as anyone else to ignore facts which support their foes. John Maynard Keynes, a (famously intelligent) British economist, is said to have asked someone: “When the facts change, I change my mind. What do you do, sir?” If they were honest, most would reply: “I stick to my guns.”

from The Economist 

Articles of Interest about Literature, Journalism, Writing & Languages – Feb 13

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***WRITING & READING

Best Cities For Book Lovers https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/jilliankarande/best-cities-us-cities-for-book-lovers

Will the American Dirt Fiasco Change American Publishing? https://slate.com/culture/2020/01/american-dirt-controversy-will-publishers-change.html?utm_source=digg

The Most Anticipated Books of 2020, According to GoodReads https://fortune.com/2020/01/06/most-anticipated-best-new-books-2020-goodreads/

Michael Jacques can’t read or write. But he’s published a new book https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/article-michael-jacques-cant-read-or-write-but-he-published-a-new-book/

Can Amazon Finally Crack the Bestseller Code? https://newrepublic.com/article/156228/can-amazon-finally-crack-bestseller-code

A book so far ahead of its time it took 87 years to find a publisher https://www.vulture.com/2020/02/romance-in-marseille-claude-mckay.html

 

***GRAMMAR

Philip Pullman calls for boycott of Brexit 50p coin over 'missing' Oxford comma https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/jan/27/brexit-50p-coin-boycott-philip-pullman-oxford-comma

 10 Grammar 'Mistakes' That Are Actually  Correct https://www.lifehacker.com.au/2020/02/10-grammar-mistakes-people-love-to-correct-that-arent-actually-wrong/

 ***JOURNALISM 

Can Journalism Be Saved? https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2020/02/27/can-journalism-be-saved/

Google’s search engine for scientists upgraded for better data scouring https://www.theverge.com/2020/1/23/21078310/google-dataset-search-beta-over-filters-improved-open-source

The new app allows mobile journalists and filmmakers to record from both sides of their mobile phones at once https://www.journalism.co.uk/video/app-for-journalists-doubletake-for-recording-both-sides-of-an-interview-on-smartphone/s400/a751013/

Iran-linked hackers pose as journalists in email scam https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-hackers-exclusive/exclusive-iran-linked-hackers-pose-as-journalists-in-email-scam-idUSKBN1ZZ1MS

'They're killing us!' Mexican journalist who was attacked asks president for justice https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/they-re-killing-us-mexican-journalist-who-was-attacked-asks-n1131451

A journalist’s guide on what to write — and what not to — when covering child abuse https://www.poynter.org/ethics-trust/2020/a-journalists-guide-on-what-to-write-and-what-not-to-when-covering-child-abuse/

Journalist Abby Martin Sues State of Georgia Over Law Requiring Pledge of Allegiance to Israel https://www.mintpressnews.com/abby-martin-lawsuit-state-georgia-over-bds-law/264798/

 

***THE BUSINESS OF JOURNALISM

McClatchy files for bankruptcy, likely ending 163 years of family control and setting up more consolidation in local news https://www.niemanlab.org/2020/02/mcclatchy-files-for-bankruptcy-likely-ending-163-years-of-family-control-and-setting-up-more-consolidation-in-local-news/

San Diego jury awards ex-One America News Network employee $290K https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/courts/story/2020-02-03/san-diego-jury-awards-ex-one-america-news-network-employee-290k

How Local News Publishers Can Better Leverage Technology https://knightfoundation.org/articles/how-local-news-publishers-can-better-leverage-technology/

Warren Buffett gives up on newspapers https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lee-enterprises-m-a-berkshire/warren-buffett-gives-up-on-newspapers-berkshire-sells-unit-to-lee-enterprises-idUSKBN1ZS1YB

 

***STUDENT MEDIA

Students report their adviser’s firing https://www.ccm.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/youngtown01-29.pdf  

Dinner with Hitler: How a Q&A with a college newspaper became a national story and an ethical dilemma https://dynamicsofwriting.com/2020/02/03/dinner-with-hitler-how-a-qa-with-a-college-newspaper-became-a-national-story-and-an-ethical-dilemma/

 

***FAKES & FRAUDS

The fact-checker’s dilemma: Humans are hardwired to dismiss facts that don’t fit their worldview https://www.niemanlab.org/2020/01/the-fact-checkers-dilemma-humans-are-hardwired-to-dismiss-facts-that-dont-fit-their-worldview/

Why Men Think Plant-Based Meat Will Turn Them Into Women: Fake news plays into long-held beliefs about power and sex https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2020/02/why-men-are-afraid-soy-will-turn-them-women/605968/

 It took us months to contest a flawed study on police bias—Here’s why that’s dangerous  https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/01/28/it-took-us-months-contest-flawed-study-police-bias-heres-why-thats-dangerous/

Google has released a tool to spot faked and doctored images https://www.technologyreview.com/f/615143/google-ai-deepfakes-manipulated-images-jigsaw-assembler/


***FAKES & RUSSIA 

The Russian Conspiracy Theory that Won’t Die: A decades-old mystery surrounding the death of nine college students https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2020/02/russia-dyatlov-pass-conspiracy-theory/605863/

Kansas City radio station agrees to broadcast Russian-owned propaganda program https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article239359868.html

***FAKES & POLITICS  

QAnon conspiracy theory creeps into mainstream politics https://apnews.com/e230131513bf3df60c76bb1151bc6b7c

5 ways Trump uses the same strategies as science deniers https://www.mic.com/p/5-ways-trump-uses-the-same-strategies-as-science-deniers-19623108

 

FAKES & MEDICAL INFO

A Disturbing Number of People Think Coronavirus Is Related to Corona Beer https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/qjdvvd/a-disturbing-number-of-people-think-coronavirus-is-related-to-corona-beer

The Wuhan coronavirus is the latest front for medical misinformation. How will China handle it? https://www.niemanlab.org/2020/01/the-wuhan-coronavirus-is-the-latest-front-for-medical-misinformation-how-will-china-handle-it/

On Facebook, anti-vaxxers urged a mom not to give her son Tamiflu. He later died https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/social-media/facebook-anti-vaxxers-pushed-mom-not-give-her-son-tamiflu-n1131936

How to spot bias in randomized clinical trials https://journalistsresource.org/tip-sheets/research/bias-clinical-trials-research/

 

***SOCIAL MEDIA 

The coronavirus is the first true social-media “infodemic” https://www.technologyreview.com/s/615184/the-coronavirus-is-the-first-true-social-media-infodemic/

Will Apple, Facebook or Microsoft be the future of augmented reality?  https://techcrunch.com/2020/02/12/will-apple-facebook-or-microsoft-be-the-future-of-augmented-reality/

This emoji could mean your suicide risk is high, according to AI https://mashable.com/article/suicide-risk-crisis-text-line-artificial-intelligence/

New Report Shows Universal Distrust in Social Media as a News Source  https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/new-report-shows-universal-distrust-in-social-media-as-a-news-source/571512/

Snapchat is testing a big new redesign https://www.theverge.com/interface/2020/2/12/21134892/snap-redesign-maps-community-discover-originals-shows-happening-now-news-briefs

Facebook will pay Reuters to fact-check Deepfakes and more https://techcrunch.com/2020/02/12/reuters-facebook-fact-checker/?guccounter=1

 

***LITERATURE

Tolkien wrote Lord of the Rings to procrastinate on the academic work he was supposed to be doing https://www.vox.com/culture/2020/2/1/21115263/tolkien-lord-of-the-rings-procrastinate-academic-work

People aren't reading less. In fact, literature has never been so interactive https://bigthink.com/culture-religion/social-reading

New Carol Shields Prize  for fiction will award $150,000 to female author https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books/article-coming-together-to-create-the-carol-shields-literary-prize/

Focus turns to Latino authors amid 'American Dirt' debate https://apnews.com/cbb08726a779968b48631c445b90fb06

 

***POETRY 

The Stubborn Witness of a Revolutionary Poet https://sojo.net/magazine/march-2020/stubborn-witness-revolutionary-poet-Julia-Esquivel-Guatemala

 

***THE BUSINESS OF MEDIA   

Media execs: Trump presidency is a growing liability to our businesses https://www.axios.com/media-trump-advertising-c2022769-ec1f-4758-8e1d-1e9b495b19eb.html

How Digital Billboards Target Passersby (Hint: It's Cellphone Data)  https://www.npr.org/2020/02/07/803907447/how-digital-billboards-target-passersby-hint-its-cellphone-data

 

***PRIVACY & SECURITY 

Google keeps a scary amount of data on you. Here's how to find and delete it https://www.cnet.com/google-amp/news/google-keeps-a-scary-amount-of-data-on-you-heres-how-to-find-and-delete-it/

48% of Americans OK with DNA testing companies sharing user data with law enforcement https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2020/02/04/about-half-of-americans-are-ok-with-dna-testing-companies-sharing-user-data-with-law-enforcement/

 

***PRODUCING MEDIA

What to buy if you want to start producing music at home https://www.engadget.com/2020/01/29/beginner-home-music-studio-bedroom-producer-guide/ 

Who can you trust?

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A person’s ability to anticipate the guilt they will feel—even before the act takes place—is an indicator of trustworthiness. That’s according to University of Chicago researchers who call it “guilt proneness.” They say this is a positive trait, not the same as feeling guilty. Those who possess it are less likely to exploit others for personal gain. Read about the study in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.

Stephen Goforth

Caught Between

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It is not just the pace of change that leaves us disoriented. Many Americans have lost faith that the transitions they are going through are really getting somewhere. To feel as though everything is “up in the air,” as one so often does during times of personal transition, is endurable if it means something – if it is part of a movement toward a desired end. But if it is not related to some larger and beneficial pattern, it simply becomes distressing.

It is as if we launched out from a riverside dock to cross to a landing on the opposite shore – only to discover in midstream that the landing was no longer there. (And when we looked back at the other shore, we saw that the dock we had left from had broken loose and was heading downstream.) Stuck in transition between situations, relationships, and identities that are also in transition, many Americans are caught in a semipremanent condition of transitionality.

William Bridges, Transitions