America’s humility problem

Could a lack of humility be at the root of what ails America? [Click here to view this message in your web-browser](. Edition: US 23 May 2019 [The Conversation]( Academic rigor, journalistic flair [Nick Lehr] A note from... Nick Lehr Arts + Culture Editor Back on Valentine’s Day, we published an article about a study showing that humility is a key component of strong relationships. Since then, I’d seen a spate of studies and articles about humility, from the power of doctors’ apologizing for medical mistakes, to the importance of admitting what you don’t know when acquiring new skills. So I was excited when psychology professor Frank McAndrew proposed an article tied to new research on humility. In his piece, he wonders whether the problems that plague America’s political life – from polarization to deteriorating civic discourse – can be distilled down to a simple phenomenon: [an inability to admit when we’re wrong](. Also today: the discovery of [a genetic cause for a common heart problem](, the U.S.’ [economic war against Iran]( and [the right way to do impeachment](. Top story What happens when everything thinks they’re smarter than everyone else? Nick Lehr/The Conversation via Shutterstock.com [Could a lack of humility be at the root of what ails America?]( Frank T. McAndrew, Knox College A growing body of research points to the importance of one personality trait – intellectual humility – and how it influences our learning, relationships and worldview. Health + Medicine - [Genetic trigger discovered for common heart problem, mitral valve prolapse]( Russell Norris, Medical University of South Carolina Using a large family whose members suffered from mitral valve prolapse, one of the most common heart diseases worldwide, researchers have discovered one cause of the disorder. Science + Technology - [I’m an evolutionary biologist – here’s why this ancient fungal fossil discovery is so revealing]( Antonis Rokas, Vanderbilt University The discovery of a fungus fossil is pushing back the origin of these ancient organisms and rewriting what we know about evolution and the tree of life. [if you believe in scientists telling the public about their new research, please support us]( Politics + Society - [The Constitution dictates that impeachment must not be partisan]( Peter Brandon Bayer, University of Nevada, Las Vegas Politics have pervaded the debate about whether Congress should impeach President Trump. One legal scholar says that whether to impeach – or not – should not be viewed as a political question. Economy + Business - [US is already fighting a conflict with Iran – an economic war that is hurting the wrong people]( David Cortright, University of Notre Dame Growing fears of a US conflict with Iran show why the kind of unilateral sanctions the Trump administration imposed last year don't work. Education - [Chicago’s Urban Prep Academy – known for 100% college acceptance rates – put reputation ahead of results]( Chezare A. Warren, Michigan State University Urban Prep Academy in Chicago made a name by boasting about its 100% college acceptance rates for graduating seniors. A founding teacher at Urban Prep explains why that statistic is misleading. Most read on site - [Why is the Pentagon interested in UFOs?]( Iain Boyd, University of Michigan During a military mission, whether in peace or in war, the inability to identify an object within an area of operation represents a significant problem. - [Misreading the story of climate change and the Maya]( Kenneth Seligson, California State University, Dominguez Hills Many people think climate change caused Classic Maya civilization to collapse abruptly around 900 A.D. An archaeologist says that view is too simplistic and misses the bigger point. - [Same-sex couples have been in American politics way longer than the Buttigiegs have been married]( Anya Jabour, The University of Montana Long before Chasten Buttigieg became a 'not-so-secret weapon' in his husband Pete Buttigieg’s presidential campaign, another same-sex couple profoundly reshaped American social policy. Today’s quote [Much like human survivors of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombs, birds and mammals at Chernobyl have cataracts in their eyes and smaller brains.]( [At Chernobyl and Fukushima, radioactivity has seriously harmed wildlife]( Timothy A. Mousseau University of South Carolina [Timothy A. Mousseau] Know people who may be interested in The Conversation's stories? [Click here to forward this newsletter to them]( and ask them to sign up at [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