The Supreme Court has overturned precedent dozens of times

+ treatments that help hospitalized COVID-19 patients US Edition - Today's top story: The Supreme Court has overturned precedent dozens of times in the past 60 years, including when it struck down legal segregation [View in browser]( US Edition | 20 September 2021 [The Conversation]( Laws in Texas and Mississippi have severely limited access to legal abortions in those states. Now, many Americans are wondering if the Supreme Court might overturn Roe v. Wade, a case decided in 1973. Major reversals have happened throughout the court’s history, including Brown v. Board of Education in 1954, which overturned the six-decade-old decision in Plessy v. Ferguson. Law and political science scholar David Schultz explains when, and why, the court has, at crucial times, [decided to change its mind](, and thereby the law of the land. Also today: - [Scientists may have found the inspiration for the biblical story of Sodom]( - [Curbing methane emissions could protect environment and human health]( - [A scholar of Chinese religions explains the Moon Festival]( Jeff Inglis Politics + Society Editor How much importance does the Supreme Court place on prior decisions? Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images [The Supreme Court has overturned precedent dozens of times in the past 60 years, including when it struck down legal segregation]( David Schultz, Hamline University There is value in observing legal precedent, but sometimes circumstances, logic or judges’ views determine it’s time to overturn it. Health - [New treatments for COVID-19 may stave off the worst effects of the virus]( Patrick Jackson, University of Virginia Medications to treat COVID-19 are in no way a substitute for the vaccine. But under the right circumstances, some show great promise for helping patients. - [FDA panel recommends limiting Pfizer booster shots to Americans 65 and older, and those at high risk of severe COVID-19]( Matthew Woodruff, Emory University An FDA panel has voted against recommending approval of a booster COVID-19 shot for the general population – disappointing some public health officials. Ethics + Religion - [Are COVID-19 boosters ethical, with half the world waiting for a first shot? A bioethicist weighs in]( Nancy S. Jecker, University of Washington Scientists debate the medical benefits of booster shots. But there’s another aspect to consider: bioethics. - [What is the Moon Festival? A scholar of Chinese religions explains]( Mario Poceski, University of Florida The Moon Festival, rooted in China’s long history and rich cultural traditions, will be celebrated on Sept. 21. In China, though, the festival is a three-day public holiday. Economy + Business - [‘Tax the rich’? Democrats’ plans to make the wealthy pay a little more will barely dent America’s long slide from progressive taxation]( Gabriel Zucman, University of California, Berkeley; Emmanuel Saez, University of California, Berkeley In 1950, the top 0.01% of earners paid almost 70% of their income in taxes. By 2018, the super-rich paid proportionately less than the average for all other Americans. Science + Technology - [A giant space rock demolished an ancient Middle Eastern city and everyone in it – possibly inspiring the Biblical story of Sodom]( Christopher R. Moore, University of South Carolina New research suggests that fire from the sky in the form of a small asteroid annihilated a city near the Dead Sea 3,600 years ago. - [Facebook’s algorithms fueled massive foreign propaganda campaigns during the 2020 election – here’s how algorithms can manipulate you]( Filippo Menczer, Indiana University You have evolved to tap into the wisdom of the crowds. But on social media your cognitive biases can lead you astray, something organized disinformation campaigns count on. - [How many stars are there in space?]( Brian Jackson, Boise State University Scientists have a good estimate on the staggering number of stars in the universe. Environment + Energy - [Louisianans’ way of life on the coast is threatened by the very plans meant to save their wetlands and barrier islands from rising seas]( Craig E. Colten, Louisiana State University As the state copes with hurricanes and climate disasters, it is figuring out how to manage the slow-motion loss of its coastal land. But its plans could endanger the cultures that define the region. - [Biden urges countries to slash methane emissions 30% – here’s why it’s crucial for protecting climate and health, and how it can pay for itself]( Drew Shindell, Duke University A large amount of methane emissions come from natural gas infrastructure and landfills – all problems companies know how to fix. Trending on Site - [Who’s covered by a vaccine mandate? Here’s a quick guide to America’s patchwork of COVID-19 shot requirements]( Debbie Kaminer, Baruch College, CUNY Overlapping vaccine mandates at the federal, state and local levels aims to reduce the number of unvaccinated Americans. - [How many satellites are orbiting Earth?]( Supriya Chakrabarti, University of Massachusetts Lowell In the past decade, the number of satellites in orbit has skyrocketed thanks to tiny electronics and cheap launches. The crowded night sky is posing problems for astronomers and astronauts. - [Nurses are leaving the profession, and replacing them won’t be easy]( Rayna M Letourneau, University of South Florida Long-term solutions to the nursing shortage call for changes that value nurses and offer them a safe place to work. Reader Comments 💬 - “We need to move away from the argument that getting vaccinated or wearing a mask is protective of the self and start to focus on the social responsibility of protecting one’s community. Altruism coupled with concern for the self should be a stronger motivator, especially for those who object on religious grounds...” – Reader Dan Romer on the story [Forceful vaccine messages backfire with holdouts – how can it be done better?]( [The Conversation]( You’re receiving this newsletter from [The Conversation]( 303 Wyman Street, Suite 300 Waltham, MA 02451 [Forward to a friend]( • [Unsubscribe](