Ask or aks? How linguistic prejudice perpetuates inequality
Teacher and artist Sunn M'Cheaux has been posting on social media about "linguicism" after a reader asked him about the word "ax," saying: "Why did we struggle saying 'ask?' Like when I was little, I always said 'ax." Like I couldn't say the word cor.....»»
Economic inequality cannot be explained by individual bad choices, study finds
A global study led by a researcher at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health and published in the journal Scientific Reports finds that economic inequality on a social level cannot be explained by bad choices among the poor nor by good d.....»»
Our brains are hardwired to believe lies and conspiracy theories, says researcher
In "Politics, Lies and Conspiracy Theories," Marcel Danesi Ph.D., a professor of semiotics and linguistic anthropology at the University of Toronto, Canada, analyzes the speeches of dictators including Mussolini, Stalin, Putin and Hitler, as well as.....»»
What game theory can teach us about standing up to bullies
In a time of income inequality and ruthless politics, people with outsized power or an unrelenting willingness to browbeat others often seem to come out ahead......»»
How inequality shapes the experience of a heatwave
When the mercury rises, does your anxiety rise with it? If so, you are not alone. According to the UK's Office for National Statistics, three-quarters of British people are worried about climate change and 43% claim to experience anxiety about the st.....»»
How the Unabomber"s unique linguistic fingerprints led to his capture
Can the language someone uses be as unique as their fingerprints?.....»»
When local economic inequality is high, the rich tend to be more generous
Rich individuals living in communities with greater levels of economic inequality tend to be more generous with charitable giving and prosocial behaviors, according to a study published in PLoS ONE by Joel H. Suss from the London School of Economics.....»»
A linguistic anthropologist explains how humans are like ChatGPT—both recycle language
ChatGPT is a hot topic at my university, where faculty members are deeply concerned about academic integrity, while administrators urge us to "embrace the benefits" of this "new frontier." It's a classic example of what my colleague Punya Mishra call.....»»
Poor UK households more vulnerable to climate shocks, says new research
Poorer households in the UK are more vulnerable to climate change because temperature shocks are associated with deepening wealth inequality, according to new research published today in the journal Environmental Science and Pollution Research......»»
Municipal administrators in Brazil know about NbS but rarely use them to reduce environmental inequality, study finds
Initiatives involving nature-based solutions (NbS) are increasingly frequent in Europe and the United States, but still scarce in Brazil and rarely part of local public policy even when mayors are aware of the concept......»»
Activity sessions in daycare already nurturing emotional skills by 10 weeks, finds research
Concerns are growing about the well-being of children and adolescents and their increasing inequality in Finland. Early childhood education and care provides an environment where these concerns can be addressed as early as possible, particularly by s.....»»
Study looks at reproductive inequality in humans compared to other species
In modern society, one parent may take a daughter to ballet class and fix dinner so the other parent can get to exercise class before picking up the son from soccer practice. To an observer, they seem to be cooperating in their very busy, co-parentin.....»»
New book asks whether the benefits of AI will be shared widely or feed inequality
The Dark Ages were not entirely dark. Advances in agriculture and building technology increased Medieval wealth and led to a wave of cathedral construction in Europe. However, it was a time of profound inequality. Elites captured virtually all econom.....»»
Study: Police murder of George Floyd associated with short-term spike in firearm assaults on US police officers
The police murder of George Floyd sparked nationwide protests in the summer of 2020 and revived claims that public outcry over such high-profile police killings perpetuates a violent "war on cops." In a new study, researchers assessed if and how patt.....»»
Statistical physics reveals how languages evolve
Models based on the principles of statistical physics can provide useful insights into how languages change through contact between speakers of different languages. In particular, the analysis reveals how unusual linguistic forms are more likely to b.....»»
AI will increase inequality and raise tough questions about humanity, economists warn
On November 30 2022, OpenAI launched the AI chatbot ChatGTP, making the latest generation of AI technologies widely available. In the few months since then, we have seen Italy ban ChatGTP over privacy concerns, leading technology luminaries calling f.....»»
The pandemic deepened gender inequality in dual-career households, finds research
The switch to remote work because of the COVID-19 pandemic required dual-career couples to adapt to a new way of life. As work and domestic responsibilities blurred, couples attempted to balance work and family life at home......»»
Report paints complex picture of inequality among growing Afro-Latino population in US
The Afro-Latino population in the U.S. has grown at nearly twice the rate of non-Black Latinos since the beginning of the century, and new UCLA research reveals complex social inequalities faced by Afro-Latinos—people who are both ethnically Latino.....»»
What is "algospeak"? Inside the newest version of linguistic subterfuge
A linguistic arms race is raging online—and it isn't clear who's winning......»»
Black and Asian people can suffer prejudice and insults from members of their families with lighter skin, says research
Black and Asian people with darker skin shades can be the subject of prejudice and insults from lighter skin members of their families, new research shows......»»
Internet access must become a human right or we risk ever-widening inequality, argues researcher
People around the globe are so dependent on the internet to exercise socioeconomic human rights such as education, health care, work, and housing that online access must now be considered a basic human right, a new study reveals......»»