Alex Jones and InfoWars are the symptom, not the problem

Audiences love the anger: Alex Jones, or someone like him, will be back [Click here to view this message in your web-browser](. Edition: US 8 August 2018 [The Conversation]( Academic rigor, journalistic flair Editor's note Alex Jones’ website InfoWars was banned this week by Apple, Facebook, YouTube, Spotify and other web content distributors for apparently violating policies against hate speech and inciting violence. But as media historian Michael Socolow writes, a significant segment of [the American public historically has embraced conspiracy theorists]( and provocateurs in the public sphere, from Father Coughlin to Glenn Beck. That means Jones will likely not be the last of his kind. As World Elephant Day approaches on August 12, wildlife advocates will spotlight threats such as illegal poaching and the global ivory trade. But there’s more to know beyond elephants’ conservation status. Colorado College neuroscientist Bob Jacobs has studied many animal species’ brains, and found that neurons in the elephant cortex are [structured differently from those of any other mammal](, and may provide a basis for these huge creatures’ sophisticated cognitive abilities. Did drones actually try to assassinate Venezuela’s president this past weekend? Evidence confirming the alleged attack is shaky. Either way, aerial assaults are unlikely to topple the authoritarian leader. Nicolás Maduro has weathered economic chaos, humanitarian crisis, a coup attempt, international sanctions, insolvency and isolation. International relations scholars Andrea Oelsner and Federico Merke explain [how his regime stays in power](. Naomi Schalit Senior Editor, Politics + Society Top stories Alex Jones speaks during a rally for candidate Donald Trump near the Republican National Convention in July 2016. Reuters/Lucas Jackson [Audiences love the anger: Alex Jones, or someone like him, will be back]( Michael J. Socolow, University of Maine Confrontational characters spouting conspiracy theories and fringe ideas have been around since American broadcasting began. With Alex Jones banished from the web, someone else will take his place. African elephant bull. Michelle Gadd/USFWS [What elephants’ unique brain structures suggest about their mental abilities]( Bob Jacobs, Colorado College Cells that transmit nerve impulses in the part of elephants' brains responsible for functions such as learning and memory are structured differently from those of any other mammal. The wife of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro reacts to an explosion during a public event, which the regime says was a drone attempting to assassinate the president (Aug. 4, 2018). Venezolana de Television via AP [Drone attack or no, Venezuela’s Maduro regime is probably here to stay]( Andrea Oelsner, Universidad de San Andrés (Argentina); Federico Merke, Universidad de San Andrés (Argentina) How long can a rogue regime survive assassination attempts, sanctions, bankruptcy, humanitarian crisis and mass unrest? When it comes to Venezuela, President Maduro may cling to power for some time. Science + Technology - [Programmers need ethics when designing the technologies that influence people’s lives]( Cherri M. Pancake, Oregon State University Technological professionals are the first, and last, lines of defense against the misuse of technology. - [Two types of tectonic plate activity create earthquake and tsunami risk on Lombok]( Jane Cunneen, Curtin University; Phil R. Cummins, Australian National University Caught in the middle: Lombok and Bali are exposed to earthquake and tsunamis risk due to a tectonic plate boundary to the south, but also a unique zone of activity that thrusts to the north. Environment + Energy - [All the battles being waged against fossil fuel infrastructure are following a single strategy]( Luis Hestres, The University of Texas at San Antonio Whether they aim to stop pipelines in Virginia or block Pacific Northwest export terminals, organizers are trying to 'keep it in the ground' to save the climate. Economy + Business - [Capital gains and why they matter – a tax expert explains]( Stephanie Leiser, University of Michigan The Trump administration is considering a change to capital gains that could be a windfall for the rich. A scholar explains what they are and how they're taxed. Politics + Society - [A night enforcing immigration laws on the US-Mexico border]( Robert Lee Maril, East Carolina University In Texas' Lower Rio Grande Valley, Border Patrol agents must ignore blistering heat and 25 mile-an-hour winds. Their job is simple: Catch terrorists, people without papers or those carrying drugs. - [Your voting habits may depend on when you registered to vote]( Enrijeta Shino, University of Florida; Daniel A. Smith, University of Florida Not all who register vote. Research shows factors like timing and major tragic events can influence who, in the end, makes it out to the polls. Ethics + Religion - [Who are Pakistan’s Ahmadis and why haven’t they voted in 30 years]( Peter Gottschalk, Wesleyan University A religious minority of Pakistan, the Ahmadis have been boycotting elections for decades. Casting a vote would require that they denounce themselves as 'non-Muslims.' Trending on site - [Parts of the Pacific Northwest’s Cascadia fault are more seismically active than others – new imaging data suggests why]( Miles Bodmer, University of Oregon; Doug Toomey, University of Oregon A new array of seismometers provides a glimpse of what's happening deep beneath this geologic fault. New data help explain why the north and south of the region are more seismically active than the middle. - [Why stretching is (still) important for weight loss and exercise]( David Prologo, Emory University Who hasn't been told to stretch before and after exercise to prevent injury and improve performance? There may be no scientific evidence to back that up, although stretching has other benefits. - [Overhydrating presents health hazards for young football players]( Tamara Hew-Butler, Wayne State University Yes, it's hot outside. And football practice is starting for thousands of kids. But coaches and parents should be careful about tellings kids to drink more water. That has been deadly. Today’s quote ["Air pollution from wildfires may threaten people who are far downwind."]( [Exposure to wildfire smoke: 5 questions answered]( Richard E. Peltier University of Massachusetts Amherst [Richard E. Peltier] [Follow us on Twitter.]( [Join us on Facebook.]( You’re receiving this newsletter from [The Conversation](. Not interested anymore? [Unsubscribe instantly](. We’ll miss you. 89 South Street - Suite 202 Boston, MA 02111