Angry voters fueling social polarization

+ Musk, Twitter and free speech US Edition - Today's top story: American voters are angry – that is a good thing for voter turnout, bad thing for democracy [View in browser]( US Edition | 28 October 2022 [The Conversation]( While Americans are divided on many issues, there’s at least one they can agree on: They are angry. Whether the topic is abortion or gas prices, polls show American voters are just plain outraged over perceived transgressions committed by their opponents. This is regardless of political party, age, race or gender. This is a good thing – if democracy is judged solely by voter turnout, which is expected to break records this year. But it’s not – if solving problems matters too. As Robert Stevens, an Indiana University political science professor, explains, heated debate is a sign of a healthy, functioning democracy. [Increased social polarization is not]( – and the only beneficiaries are “those politicians who are able to use it most skillfully,” he writes. Also today: - [The monsters behind Japan’s anti-waste culture]( - [Why today’s politicians feel no shame]( - [Followed the week’s news? Take the quiz]( Howard Manly Race + Equity Editor Thousands of demonstrators gather in Washington, D.C., to support women’s rights on Oct. 8, 2022. Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images [American voters are angry – that is a good thing for voter turnout, bad thing for democracy]( Steven Webster, Indiana University Americans voters are angry about everything from abortion to inflation. While anger is good for voter turnout, it’s ultimately bad for solving problems in a democracy. Health + Medicine - [With over-the-counter birth control pills likely to be approved, pharmacists and pharmacies could play an ever-increasing role in reproductive health care]( Lucas Berenbrok, University of Pittsburgh Health Sciences; Marian Jarlenski, University of Pittsburgh Health Sciences Some states already allow pharmacists to provide birth control to patients with a prescription. But FDA approval of an over-the-counter birth control pill could greatly expand access. - [Fetterman’s struggles with language highlight the challenges after a stroke – a vascular neurologist explains aphasia and the path to recovery]( Andrew M. Southerland, MD, MSc, University of Virginia Auditory processing disorders and aphasia can make spoken speech difficult to produce and understand. But these challenges alone do not imply cognitive impairments. Ethics + Religion - [Japan’s ‘waste not, want not’ philosophy has deep religious and cultural roots, from monsters and meditation to Marie Kondo’s tidying up]( Kevin C. Taylor, University of Memphis Shinto and Buddhist ideas about interconnectedness have deeply influenced Japan, shaping centuries-old rituals and stories whose impact continues today. - [The ethics of canceling student debt is more about fairness than broken promises]( Kate Padgett Walsh, Iowa State University A scholar who studies the morality of debt argues why canceling some student debt is fair. Politics + Society - [Why the US should tread carefully as it weighs supporting armed intervention in Haiti again]( Claire Antone Payton, University of Virginia Waves of US troops and international peacekeeping forces have repeatedly failed to make Haiti more stable for more than 100 years. - [Hypocrisy is beneath them – political figures in the Trump era don’t bother concealing their misdeeds]( Rachel Hadas, Rutgers University - Newark Shame and guilt seem equally foreign to many politicians and public figures these days. Rather than cover their bad behavior with a veneer of hypocrisy, they revel in it, a classics scholar says. Arts + Culture - [Sacheen Littlefeather and ethnic fraud – why the truth is crucial, even it it means losing an American Indian hero]( Dina Gilio Whitaker, California State University San Marcos A new report disputes the heritage claims of Native American activist Sacheen Littlefeather. A scholar explains why scrutiny over alleged ethnic fraud is essential. Science + Technology - [The White House’s ‘AI Bill of Rights’ outlines five principles to make artificial intelligence safer, more transparent and less discriminatory]( Christopher Dancy, Penn State Many AI algorithms, like facial recognition software, have been shown to be discriminatory to people of color, especially those who are Black. - [Elon Musk is wrong: research shows content rules on Twitter help preserve free speech from bots and other manipulation]( Filippo Menczer, Indiana University Elon Musk said he wants to make Twitter a platform for free speech. Here is what research shows about claims of political bias and excessive moderation. The Conversation Quiz 🧠- Here’s the first question of [this week’s edition:]( Which of the following recently became available over the counter in the U.S.? - A. Caffeinated eye drops - B. Rocket launchers - C. Hair plugs - D. Hearing aids [Test your knowledge]( From our international editions - [Ukraine war: what, if any, are the chances of toppling Putin and who might take over?]( - [What is the difference between a populist and a dictator? The ancient Greeks have answers]( - [Multiparty democracy is in trouble in South Africa – collapsing coalitions are a sure sign]( - - About The Conversation: We're a nonprofit news organization dedicated to [helping academic experts share ideas with the public](. We can give away our articles thanks to the help of foundations, universities and readers like you. [Donate now to support research-based journalism]( [The Conversation]( You’re receiving this newsletter from [The Conversation]( 303 Wyman Street, Suite 300 Waltham, MA 02451 [Forward to a friend]( • [Unsubscribe](