What Is the Winter Solstice & Why Does It Matter So Much?

What Is the Winter Solstice & Why Does It Matter So Much?

What is the winter solstice? What makes the winter solstice the shortest, darkest day of the year? Why have humans marked the occasion since prehistory? Each year, the astronomical winter begins with the shortest day of the year: the winter solstice, the day with the fewest hours of sunlight. In the northern hemisphere, the winter solstice occurs every year on December 21 or 22. After that point, the days begin to grow longer. Here’s a look at what the winter solstice actually is and why it’s so historically and culturally significant.

How to Deal With Hardship in a Way That Inspires Others

A young man with a slight smile, trying to deal with hardship.

How do you deal with hardship? Do you respond in a way that inspires others? Every year, Yale professors Miroslav Volf, Matthew Croasmun, and Ryan McAnnally-Linz teach a course on living well. Their book Life Worth Living captures the course’s concepts. One of the matters they discuss is how to deal with hardship in the context of a life well lived. Keep reading for their advice based on insights from philosophers, religious traditions, and literary greats.

Donald Trump’s Racism and Stereotyping Origins

Donald Trump’s Racism and Stereotyping Origins

Where does Donald Trump’s racism come from? What factors contributed to his tendency to stereotype by race? Donald Trump’s racism comes from a segregated upbringing and a lack of exposure to minority communities. Understanding where this comes from offers insight into how it can be addressed. Learn where Donald Trump’s racism comes from and why he has the beliefs that he does.

How Social Media Is Handling AI Election Misinformation

A cellphone with a screen that says "2024 ELECTION"

Did social media companies live up to promises to combat election misinformation after 2020? What new technological threats could undermine the 2024 elections? How are companies addressing election integrity issues this time around? Social media platforms face rising pressure to address new AI disinformation threats that could undermine the 2024 elections. Experts warn that companies’ failure to address sophisticated “deep fakes” threatens American democracy and could lead to violence. Keep reading to learn how AI misinformation could affect the coming election.

Can You Be “Addicted” to Social Media? What Psychologists Say

A social media addicted man standing on a boulder in nature.

Can you be addicted to social media? What’s the difference between an addiction and a compulsion? Start scrolling through Facebook or TikTok and if you’re not careful, an hour can pass in the blink of an eye. Social media feels addictive. But “addiction” might not be an accurate way to describe its effects on our brains and attention. Continue reading to learn what makes social media use problematic, whether or not it’s actually addictive, and how you can take control of your attention.

Weapons of Math Destruction: Book Overview & Takeaways

A bearded, gray man reading a book with bookshelves in the background.

What’s Weapons of Math Destruction about? How is math used to discriminate against people in poverty? In Weapons of Math Destruction, Cathy O’Neil explores the difference between benign mathematical models and dangerous ones. She also describes the negative effects that dangerous mathematical models produce. Read below for a brief Weapons of Math Destruction book overview.

How ChatGPT’s Growth Changed the AI Landscape

How ChatGPT’s Growth Changed the AI Landscape

How did ChatGPT set off a frenzy across the tech industry and beyond? What critical questions did ChatGPT’s emergence spark that remain unresolved?  What remarkable capabilities does the technology preview about our AI-powered future? Following its November 2022 launch, ChatGPT’s growth was unprecedented, amassing over 1.7 billion users in its first year. ChatGPT’s explosive rise not only reshaped the AI landscape but also set off industry-wide transformations, revealing both its potential for catalyzing positive change and the societal risks it embodies. Keep reading to learn how ChatGPT changed the game in some industries.

The Power of Math: Making Big Predictions and Decisions

The power of math illustrated in fluctuating bars and graphs.

How powerful is math? What’s the difference between benign math models and dangerous math models? In Weapons of Math Destruction, Cathy O’Neil notes that not all mathematical models are dangerous. When implemented responsibly, mathematical models can be powerful tools that enable organizations to make effective decisions that wouldn’t otherwise be possible. Below we’ll define mathematical models to show the power of math.

Overemployment: Why Many Americans Are Working Multiple Jobs

A cartoon of a woman using two laptops as she works multiple jobs.

Why are many Americans working multiple jobs at once? How does overemployment impact workers and employers? What’s the future of overworking in the US? Overemployment—working multiple jobs simultaneously—is a growing trend that’s enabling some Americans to significantly increase their incomes. While providing clear financial upsides, prolonged overemployment can negatively impact professionals’ mental health, job security, and relationships with employers. Here’s a look at the upsides and downsides of overemployment.