Rural America: a closer look

Edition: US - Today's top story: Where is 'rural America,' and what does it look like? [Click here to view this message in your browser](. Edition: US 20 February 2017 [[The Conversation]Academic rigor, journalistic flair]( Editor's note Rural America voted for Donald Trump in a big way. Why? Was it economic insecurity, lost faith in the federal government, fear of immigrants taking jobs? And how did the media and other experts not see the profound impact rural America could have on the national level? Today we launch our Inside Rural America series to dig into some of these questions. To start, demographer Kenneth Johnson [paints a picture of this vast area]( that should dispel the notion that rural America is a static or monolithic place. Jennifer Van Hook and Barrett Lee of Penn State pick up the theme of diversity and explain what recent [social and ethnic changes in both urban and rural areas](mean for the future of American society. As we publish stories on rural issues in the weeks and months ahead, we invite you to write to us at us-editorial@theconversation.com with your thoughts and suggestions. Martin LaMonica Deputy Editor, Environment & Energy Editor Top story The view from Wyoming County, Pennsylvania. Cropped from nicholas_t/flickr [Where is 'rural America,' and what does it look like?]( Kenneth Johnson, University of New Hampshire 'Rural America' is a deceptively simple term for a remarkably diverse collection of places. Understanding – and improving – these parts of the country is critical for all Americans. Politics + Society - [Diversity is on the rise in urban and rural communities, and it's here to stay]( Jennifer Van Hook, Pennsylvania State University; Barrett Lee, Pennsylvania State University Nine out of 10 rural places experienced increases in diversity from 1990 to 2010. Data show a more diverse future is guaranteed across all of America, and there's no going back. - [How social media stars are fighting for the Left]( David Craig, University of Southern California, Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism; Stuart Cunningham, Queensland University of Technology Content creators with millions of fans are increasingly willing to voice their political views. Their influence on American politics may be in its infancy but it is growing fast. Economy + Business - [Can Trump resist the power of behavioral science's dark side?]( Jon M Jachimowicz, Columbia University Dozens of governments have been using the insights from the burgeoning field to 'nudge' citizens in ways that improve their well-being. But some worry Trump might use it for less altruistic ends. Environment + Energy - [In latest skirmish of western land wars, Congress supports mining and ranching]( Adam M. Sowards, University of Idaho Republicans in Congress are working to kill an Obama administration rule that broadens public input into federal land use planning. Hunters, fishermen, hikers and environmental groups are opposed. Arts + Culture - [Is your smartphone making you shy?]( Joe Moran, Liverpool John Moores University Some have said that technology could lead to 'a new ice age' of social isolation. Not so fast, says the author of a new book about shyness. Science + Technology - [How governments and companies can prevent the next insider attack]( Matthew Bunn, Harvard University; Scott D. Sagan, Stanford University Basic safeguards are not enough to protect against insider threats. It requires rethinking how to overcome the biases that cause us to dismiss the danger. - [Building privacy right into software code]( Jean Yang, Carnegie Mellon University Most of today's computer languages make it hard for programmers to protect users' privacy and security. The fix is to take those tasks out of human hands entirely. Health + Medicine - [Inmates are excluded from Medicaid -- here's why it makes sense to change that]( Tyler Winkelman, University of Michigan; Amy Young, University of Michigan; Megan Zakerski, University of Michigan Repealing a legal provision that excludes people in prison or jail from Medicaid could improve access to treatment, save state and local governments money and reduce recidivism. Rest of the World - United Kingdom [Focus on temperature ignores other ways to take the pulse of the planet]( Emily Shuckburgh, University of Cambridge; Charles Kennel, University of California, San Diego; Chris Rapley, UCL; David Victor, University of California, San Diego, and Stephen Briggs, UCL We need international agreement on a set of Earth's 'vital signs' and how to measure them. - Africa [Why doctors in Kenya are sticking to their guns]( Moses Masika, University of Nairobi The striking doctors in Kenya have vowed not to resume work until the government meets their demands. - Africa [Why opposition parties in southern Africa struggle to win power]( Rorisang Lekalake, University of Cape Town Opposition parties in sub-Saharan Africa struggle to prove themselves worthy to skeptical voters who, unlike in Western competitive systems, don't trust them over former liberation movements. 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