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Edition: US
29 January 2020
[The Conversation](
Academic rigor, journalistic flair
[Nick Lehr]
A note from...
Nick Lehr
Arts + Culture Editor
In recent days, Democratic presidential nominees Elizabeth Warren and Amy Klobuchar have racked up numerous coveted newspaper endorsements, including a dual imprimatur from The New York Times. But to communication scholars Heather Woods and Leslie Hahner, these endorsements might matter less than one that went largely under the radar: On Jan. 15, the Facebook meme group New Urbanist Memes for Transit-Oriented Teens, which boasts over 180,000 members, officially endorsed Bernie Sanders for president.
What, never heard of the NUMTOTs? Woods and Hahner argue it’s time you did. Because in 2020, having memers on your side [could prove more pivotal than an editorial board](.
Also today:
- [Brexit may be here – but it’s far from over](
- [Islamophobia’s long history in the US](
- [The myth of the accidental sexual harasser](
Top story
Memes played a role in 2016 – and they’re set to play an even bigger one in 2020. Bernie Sanders Dank Meme Stash
[The meme endorsement you might have missed – and why it matters for 2020](
Heather Woods, Kansas State University; Leslie Hahner, Baylor University
Much was made of The New York Times' dual endorsement of Elizabeth Warren and Amy Klobuchar. But four days prior, a hugely popular Facebook meme group threw its support behind Bernie Sanders.
Ethics + Religion
-
[Islamophobia in the US did not start with Trump, but his tweets perpetuate a long history of equating Muslims with terrorism](
Evelyn Alsultany, University of Southern California – Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
In retweeting a doctored image of Nancy Pelosi standing in a hijab in front of an Iranian flag, Trump is playing into fears that Iran and Islam are evil and anti-American.
Politics + Society
-
[Britain is about to leave the EU – what’s next?](
Luke Reader, Case Western Reserve University
People who support Brexit want different results from the UK's departure from the EU – and they can't all get what they want.
-
[I track murder cases that use the ‘gay panic defense,’ a controversial practice banned in 9 states](
W. Carsten Andresen, St. Edward's University
In a handful of cases, defendants in murder cases have said that they were defending themselves from a same-sex pass or attempted sexual assault.
-
[Beware the brokered convention that breaks up the party](
Calvin Schermerhorn, Arizona State University
Some Democrats are fearing chaos at the convention if no candidate meets the nomination threshold. History suggests they are right to be concerned.
-
[Trump the transgressor: the psychological appeal of leaders who break the rules](
Barry Richards, Bournemouth University
Different types of rule-breaking leaders can appeal to transgressive parts of ourselves.
Health + Medicine
-
[Hidden by a pleasant scent: The health consequences of flavor in e-cigarettes](
Weihong Lin, University of Maryland, Baltimore County; Rakaia Kenney, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
The FDA has banned flavored e-cigarettes that appeal to kids. But new research shows that the danger of flavors could go beyond their appeal to kids. The flavorings themselves could cause damage.
Economy + Business
-
[Worried about accidentally harassing a woman? Don’t be](
Elizabeth C. Tippett, University of Oregon
The backlash has given way to a simmering male anxiety that an innocuous comment could lead to a sexual harassment accusation.
Education
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[Why legislation is needed to make Holocaust education more prominent in public schools: 5 questions answered](
Jennifer Rich, Rowan University
The Never Again Education Act is meant to make Holocaust education more prominent in America's schools. A scholar of Holocaust studies explains why that's necessary.
-
[Teaching kids how to make guitars can get them hooked on engineering](
Mark French, Purdue University
More than 20,000 American high school students have made their own guitars in school over the past decade. Many of them have wound up more into learning about STEM disciplines.
Most read on site
-
[Americans on the right and left change their minds after hearing where Trump stands](
John A. Tures, LaGrange College
In recent years, voters have shifted their views on issues based upon the positions of politicians -- even when that shift clashes with their ideology.
-
[Snakes could be the original source of the new coronavirus outbreak in China](
Haitao Guo, University of Pittsburgh; Guangxiang “George” Luo, University of Alabama at Birmingham; Shou-Jiang Gao, University of Pittsburgh
A new coronavirus related to SARS and MERS has now traveled from China to the United States. A genetic analysis reveals that this deadly pathogen may have originated in snakes.
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[When will there be a coronavirus vaccine? 5 questions answered](
Aubree Gordon, University of Michigan; Florian Krammer, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
One of the dangers of the new coronavirus is that there is no treatment – and no vaccine. But researchers had already been at work on vaccines for close-related viruses.
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From the article: [I track murder cases that use the 'gay panic defense,' a controversial practice banned in 9 states](
[W. Carsten Andresen] W. Carsten Andresen
St. Edward's University
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