Click this link to learn about a recent study that suggests connecting with others can make people happier.
Category Archives: Ourselves and Others
‘Seven Good Years’ Between The Birth Of A Son, Death Of A Father
In this interview, author Etgar Keret explains how giving ice cream to a crying child showed him the value of living in the moment.
The “Lottery” Letters
The 1948 publication of Shirley Jackson’s short story “The Lottery” in The New Yorker magazine inspired subscribers to send a record number of letters, nearly all of them negative. Why all the fuss? Book critic and author Ruth Franklin considers these responses and Jackson’s own reaction to them.
You’re Wrong! I’m Right!
It might be more comfortable to only hear opinions that we already agree with, but by failing to listen to each other, we’re not only increasing the political divide in America; we’re making ourselves less smart.
Stuck in an awkwardness vortex? Here’s how to embrace the cringe
In this video, author Melissa Dahl (Cringeworthy) discusses why our perception of ourselves doesn’t match the way others see us—and how we can get more comfortable with that awkwardness.
Human Flow
All over the world, people displaced by war, famine, and other hardships must travel to unknown places to start new lives. This trailer for a documentary film by artist Ai Weiwei touches on the challenges they face along the journey.
Strangers Spot People with Compassionate Genes in Seconds
According to one experiment, some people are genetically more caring than others. Even more surprising, just a brief look at their behavior can tell us who these people are.
Everything You Need to Know About Israel-Palestine
Conflict has long been part of life in Israel. Explore this card stack to find out why it’s so difficult to resolve.
Flag Burning and Free Speech
The First Amendment protects, among other rights, the freedom of speech. In this opinion piece, UCLA law professor Eugene Volokh delves into what the Founders meant by the term “speech.”
The Kindness of Strangers
A psychology professor tries to get to the bottom of why we do good things for others, even when these acts don’t seem to benefit us directly.
5 Super Simple Ways to Get to Know Your Neighbors
Remember the children’s song about the people in your neighborhood? Try these tips to make connections with the real-life people in your neighborhood and have fun in the process.
Why do human beings speak so many languages?
Researchers have figured out how to predict when people who live near each other will develop their own distinct language.
Keeping Cultures Alive Today
Watch this video to learn how some families are working to preserve their Cherokee heritage.
5 Ways to Listen Better
What conflicts can you think of that happened because someone simply didn’t listen? People who tune out others’ ideas or hear only what they want or expect to hear can’t understand others or the world around them. In this TED Talk, sound expert Julian Treasure provides five tips for conscious, careful listening.
American Indian Boarding Schools Haunt Many
As the United States government took over the West, a concerted effort to “kill the Indian” through education developed. Hear the stories of Native Americans forcibly separated from their culture.
Historic Brandeis Opinion in ‘Whitney v. California’
Learn about how a Supreme Court case nearly a century ago has influenced our approach to the freedom of speech.
‘Writing Was Always an Act of Losing Control’: An Interview with Etgar Keret
Get this Israeli author’s perspective on how writing has helped him connect with others from around the globe.
The teenage brain on social media
A recent study digs into how susceptible teens are to peer pressure online.
The Museum of Tolerance
Located in southern California, the Museum of Tolerance is “dedicated to challenging visitors to understand the Holocaust in both historic and contemporary contexts.” Explore the interactive exhibits available at the official site of the museum.
Timeline of Flag Desecration Issues
As a key Supreme Court ruling notes, “Freedom to differ is not limited to things that do not matter much.” Learn about how different views of how the American flag should be treated have been legislated and resolved over the years.