In this blog entry, Michael Brune, executive director of the Sierra Club, explains why his organization is undertaking its first campaign of civil disobedience.
Tag Archives: Culture & Society
The Emotional Lives of Animals
Have you ever wondered if your pet has emotions? What connections do animals feel to people and to other animals? Read this excerpt from Marc Bekoff’s book The Emotional Lives of Animals. Then, explore the site for the PBS film Animal Odd Couples to learn about the special bonds animals form with unlikely partners.
Soccer Helping Young Refugees Find Footing in U.S.
Refugees to the United States left their home countries under duress. This article and short video describe a program in California that uses soccer to help refugee children heal from their past and adapt to a new culture.
Joseph Kim: The Family I Lost in North Korea. And the Family I Gained.
As a teen, Joseph Kim escaped alone from North Korea. Listen to his inspiring story as he remembers the family he lost and the family he gained in the United States.
In Search of America: One Nation, Indivisible
For his book The Longest Road, Philip Caputo and his family drove across America to discover what binds us together. Read an excerpt from his book about what he discovers in Grand Island, Nebraska. Then, click on the link to view photos from life in this Midwestern town.
What Happened to the Two Other Men on Paul Revere’s Ride?
Although their own “midnight” rides were as important as that of Paul Revere, the efforts of William Dawes, Samuel Prescott, and others have sometimes been forgotten. Read this exciting history of what happened that famous April night in 1775. You may not realize just how many people it took to spread the news that the British were coming.
The Day the Universe Changed
With each new gadget, tech companies declare that everything has changed. Whether that’s true will remain to be seen, of course. Looking back, though, it’s far easier to see clearly what discoveries and inventions really did change everything. In this fascinating 10-part series, James Burke examines the advances that altered our world.
Why Seeing (the Unexpected) Is Often Not Believing
If you were walking in the park, talking on a cell phone, you’d notice a clown riding by on a unicycle, right? The surprising answer is, not necessarily. On this multimedia page, award-winning science reporter Alix Spiegel explores the phenomenon of inattentional blindness, in which we miss seeing something obvious but unexpected.
Wikipedia Bumps Women from “American Novelists” Category
A scandal erupted when editors of an online encyclopedia removed the names of women from its American novelists page and put them into a separate all-women subcategory.
Mark Bezos: A Life Lesson from a Volunteer Firefighter
When ordered to “save” a pair of shoes from a fire, volunteer firefighter Mark Bezos felt terribly disappointed. After all, he had wanted to be a hero. Find out why he now thinks that we all should decide to get out there—and save the shoes.
Who Takes Risks?
Many people assume that men are more likely to take risks than women or that teens are the most likely engage in risky behavior. But this press release issued by the Association for Psychological Science suggests otherwise.
Why We Protest
Learn about crowd psychology and the nature of protests by examining the Occupy Wall Street movement.
Tiananmen Square, Then and Now
In 1989, the Chinese government silenced a pro-democracy protest in Tiananmen Square. An unknown number of protesters, mostly college students, were killed by their government. To this day, the Chinese government censors the media to prevent its people from learning about this event. Explore this photo essay to learn more.
Women Have Been Part of U.S. Combat for Years, Although Not on Front Lines
On January 23, 2012, the ban on women in combat positions in the U.S. military was lifted, eliminating all unnecessary gender-based barriers to service. Though many rejoice about this change, others are concerned about the impact it will have. Read the article and watch the video in which Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta announced the end of a ban.
Where the Boys Are Not
Gendering is a sociological term for a field that is dominated by one gender. This article explores why there aren’t more men in publishing and whether that contributes to men’s lower interest in reading.
How Can Women Gain Influence in Hollywood?
Did you know that only one female director has ever won an Academy Award? Why are there so few women making movies? And what should we do about it? Explore the opinions of eight different writers.
What Americans Keep Ignoring About Finland’s School Success
Finland has one of the most successful education systems in the world, whereas the United States remains mired in the middle. What is Finland doing differently, and why aren’t we trying it?
Is the Internet Hurting Children?
There is no doubt that the Internet and social media have become an essential part of every child’s life, but is that a good thing? Consider two very different perspectives on the influences of these technological advances on children.
Women’s Athletics a Battle for Respect
Though women have been breaking gender barriers for decades, the playing fields still aren’t level. Read about Lisa Leslie’s fight to gain support for the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and other women’s professional sports.
Walden Pond State Reservation
Embark on a virtual visit of Walden Pond, the famous site that inspired Henry David Thoreau’s Walden.