Don’t retweet that!

+ the public personas presidents put on US Edition - Today's top story: 7 ways to avoid becoming a misinformation superspreader [View in browser]( US Edition | 18 March 2021 [The Conversation]( Academic rigor, journalistic flair It happens to all of us: We see a story headline that captures just what we felt about something – some version of “Bad people have done bad things” – and quickly pass it on via Twitter, a Facebook post or a mass email to our friends and colleagues. Click. Don’t do that. “[People often share things because of their gut reactions, rather than the conclusions of critical thinking](,” writes Mississippi State University social psychologist H. Colleen Sinclair, who says in a story we published this week that “people who viewed their social media feed while in an emotional mindset were significantly more likely to share misinformation than those who went in with a more rational state of mind.” Sinclair details seven ways to discourage our own spreading of lies and partisan distortions. Underlying all her suggestions is thinking critically about information that we encounter. This week, we also explored what happens when a country [prosecutes a former president]( and how every new president has to reimagine the role they’re playing as president. Washington, who really had to invent the role, recognized he would have [to ditch his aristocratic bearing](: “The President,” he wrote to John Adams, “can have no object but to demean himself in his public character, in such a manner as to maintain the dignity of Office, without subjecting himself to the imputation of superciliousness or unnecessary reserve.” Now that’s a quote I’d like to tweet….after giving it some critical thought. Who imagined that our nation’s first president thought it necessary to “demean” himself? Naomi Schalit Senior Editor, Politics + Society Identify and stop the lies. NLshop/iStock via Getty Images Plus [7 ways to avoid becoming a misinformation superspreader]( H. Colleen Sinclair, Mississippi State University A social psychologist explains how to avoid being misled, and how to prevent yourself – and others – from spreading inaccurate information. Adoring fans celebrated Brazilian ex-President Luiz Inacio ‘Lula’ da Silva before he began a prison sentence for corruption in 2018. Lula’s conviction was recently annulled. Miguel Schincariol/AFP via Getty Images) [Prosecuting ex-presidents for corruption is trending worldwide – but it’s not always great for democracy]( Victor Menaldo, University of Washington; James D. Long, University of Washington; Morgan Wack, University of Washington From Europe to Latin America and the US, former world leaders are being investigated, tried and even jailed. In theory, this shows no one is above the law. But presidents and PMs aren't just anyone. Both Andrew Jackson, left, and Donald Trump presented themselves as men of the people. Jackson, Library of Congress; Trump, Drew Angerer/Getty Images [All American presidents have made spectacles of themselves – and there’s nothing wrong with that]( Maurizio Valsania, Università di Torino A president’s persona is always a public act. In that way, Trump's shtick – vulgar man of the people – was not exceptional. And every president has had to invent his version of the role. - [4 crucial steps to make July 4th an Independence Day with much greater freedom from COVID-19]( David R. Holtgrave, University at Albany, State University of New York; Amy Lauren Fairchild, The Ohio State University; Cheryl Healton, New York University Biden wants Americans to be able to celebrate the holiday with small gatherings. What will it take to get the virus under control by then? Three public health school deans explain. - [Federal support has shored up nonprofits during the coronavirus pandemic, but many groups are still struggling]( Dyana Mason, University of Oregon; Mirae Kim, George Mason University Arts organizations have been particularly hard hit, but many may benefit from new sources of emergency government funding. - [Making it easier to vote does not threaten election integrity]( Douglas R. Hess, Grinnell College A record number of people voted in the 2020 presidential election. Donald Trump lost, Joe Biden won. Now, GOP legislators across the country are trying to pass measures to limit voting. - [El Salvador’s abortion ban jails women for miscarriages and stillbirths – now one woman’s family seeks international justice]( Juliet S. Sorensen, Northwestern University; Alexandra Tarzikhan, Northwestern University; Meredith Heim, Northwestern University Hundreds of Salvadoran women have been prosecuted for homicide for having abortions, miscarriages or stillbirths since 1997. Now an international court must decide: Is that legal? - [After the insurrection, America’s far-right groups get more extreme]( Matthew Valasik, Louisiana State University ; Shannon Reid, University of North Carolina – Charlotte New members are joining and some are leaving – as right-wing groups reorganize, scholars of the movement foresee increased polarization, with a risk of more violence. 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