Listening deeper for signs of political division

Edition: US - Today's top story: Trump and Obama have one surprising thing in common – the words they use [Click here to view this message in your web-browser](. Edition: US 9 August 2017 [[The Conversation]Academic rigor, journalistic flair]( Editor's note President Donald Trump’s bombastic speaking style is often contrasted with his predecessor’s more intellectual rhetoric. But University of Minnesota political science professor Ronald Krebs and graduate student Robert Ralston look beyond how the presidents speak and find [some striking commonalities]( in the words the two men choose. Surprisingly, this similarity could be yet another sign of our political divisions. Data show that the number of registered sex offenders has ballooned in recent years, and includes twice as many black men than white men. Sociologist Trevor Hoppe of the University at Albany, State University of New York, examines the evidence on whether marking offenders for life really helps protect communities, or just [makes racial and social inequality worse](. Much of the U.S. is currently eclipse crazy, looking forward to August 21’s total solar eclipse. We recognize it’s a predictable astronomical event – and Penn State’s Carla Mulford writes that founding father Benjamin Franklin would have applauded our scientific knowledge. In the early 1700s, he used his [“Poor Richard’s Almanac” to satirize]( those who would use eclipses to offer up supernatural prognostications. Emily Costello Senior Editor, Politics + Society Top story REUTERS/Carlos Barria (Trump), Larry Downing (Obama) [Trump and Obama have one surprising thing in common – the words they use]( Ronald R. Krebs, University of Minnesota; Robert Ralston, University of Minnesota Eloquent Obama and bombastic Trump certainly have different speaking styles. But a big data analysis of their speeches also shows a surprising commonality. Politics + Society - [Are sex offender registries reinforcing inequality?]( Trevor Hoppe, University at Albany, State University of New York Beginning in the 1990s, all 50 US states and Washington, DC created public sex offender registries. Do they do more to help or hurt? Science + Technology - [Eclipsing the occult in early America: Benjamin Franklin and his almanacs]( Carla J. Mulford, Pennsylvania State University Franklin advanced a scientific – not supernatural – understanding of astronomical events such as eclipses. His satirical character 'Poor Richard' mocked those who bought into astrological predictions. Ethics + Religion - [How eclipses were regarded as omens in the ancient world]( Gonzalo Rubio, Pennsylvania State University More than 2,000 years ago, the Babylonians understood the cycle of eclipses. They also regarded them as signs that could foretell the death of a king. Arts + Culture - [Can transgender TV characters help bridge an ideological divide?]( Erica L. Rosenthal, University of Southern California; Traci Gillig, University of Southern California, Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism In the wake of Trump’s proposed transgender military ban, new research highlights the potential for entertainment –more than news coverage – to open minds on even the most polarizing issues. Environment + Energy - [Climate gloom and doom? Bring it on. But we need stories about taking action, too]( Jon Christensen, University of California, Los Angeles An experiment in getting people to care about climate change uses slick videos, charismatic scientists and calls to action. - [Disasters can harm older adults long after storms have passed]( Sue Anne Bell, University of Michigan New research shows that older people are especially at risk during and after natural disasters, and may need medical help or other support well after relief operations end. Health + Medicine - [TB's stronghold in India: A tragedy there, and a grave concern for the rest of the world]( Jay Desai, M.D., University of Southern California The health care debate in the US has focused on a looming crisis, with millions possibly losing insurance coverage. In India, an immediate crisis looms with tuberculosis. Trending on site - [The true failure of foreign language instruction]( Catherine Snow, Harvard University Whether it's due to native language loss or unsupported high school curricula, the lack of bilingualism in the US is notable. Why can't more Americans speak another language? How should that change? - [A trans soldier in the ancient Roman army?]( Tom Sapsford, University of Southern California – Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences An ancient Roman fable imagines a cinaedus, well-known for his brazen effeminacy, fighting heroically. This story raises concerns over gender identity in the military like those seen in current times. - [When the sun goes dark: 5 questions answered about the solar eclipse]( Shannon Schmoll, Michigan State University An astronomer explains how and why – and when – eclipses happen, what we can learn from them, and what they would look like if you were standing on the moon. Today’s quote [People respond well to two things: stories about what they can do [about climate change], and how they can be part of a broader effective change. And those two things need to be connected.]( [Climate gloom and doom? Bring it on. But we need stories about taking action, too]( Jon Christensen University of California, Los Angeles [Jon Christensen] [Follow us on Twitter.]( [Join us on Facebook.]( You’re receiving this newsletter from [The Conversation](. Not interested anymore? [Unsubscribe instantly](. We’ll miss you. 625 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, MA 02139 USA