The fediverse promises social media without Big Tech – if it can avoid familiar pitfalls

The fediverse promises an egalitarian, noncommercial alternative to Big Tech for social media, but there’s a lot of work needed to make it work.

Robert W. Gehl, Ontario Research Chair of Digital Governance for Social Justice, York University, Canada • conversation
March 12, 2025 • ~7 min

What is a SLAPP suit? Legal experts explain how these lawsuits suppress free speech

Legal experts see a current lawsuit against the environmental group Greenpeace as a classic example of using litigation to stifle public criticism.

Ryan Riedmueller, Clinical Legal Fellow, Stanton Foundation First Amendment Clinic, Vanderbilt University • conversation
March 11, 2025 • ~6 min

How Nutriset, a French company, has helped alleviate hunger and create jobs in some of the world’s poorest places

The key to the for-profit company’s successful partnership with governments, international agencies and humanitarian, nongovernmental organizations is how it handled its patent.

Bernard Leca, Professeur en sciences de gestion, ESSEC • conversation
Feb. 25, 2025 • ~10 min

How much does scientific progress cost? Without government dollars for research infrastructure, breakthroughs become improbable

It costs money to maintain the various facilities, utilities and personnel that allow scientists to conduct research in the first place. Without federal support, institutions are left scrambling.

Aliasger K. Salem, Bighley Chair and Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Iowa • conversation
Feb. 12, 2025 • ~10 min

Philanthropy provides $30B annually for science and health research − funding that tends to stay local

Nearly 40% of all gifts and grants and 60% of the total number of dollars given backed initiatives based in the foundation’s own state.

Louis Shekhtman, Senior Lecturer of Information Science, Bar-Ilan University • conversation
Jan. 22, 2025 • ~5 min

Amid LA fires, neighbors helped each other survive – 60 years of research shows how local heroes are crucial to disaster response

In emergencies, when every minute counts, research shows family, friends and neighbors are often saving lives. These local efforts go uncounted, yet they’re crucial.

James Kendra, Director, Disaster Research Center and Professor, Public Policy & Administration, University of Delaware • conversation
Jan. 20, 2025 • ~8 min

Amid LA fires, neighbors helped each other survive – 60 years of research shows local heroes are crucial to disaster response

In emergencies, when every minute counts, research shows family, friends and neighbors are often saving lives. These local efforts go uncounted, yet they’re crucial.

James Kendra, Director, Disaster Research Center and Professor, Public Policy & Administration, University of Delaware • conversation
Jan. 20, 2025 • ~8 min

Neighbors and strangers pulled together to help LA fire survivors – 60 years of research shows these unsung heroes are crucial to disaster response

In emergencies, when every minute counts, research shows family, friends and neighbors are often saving lives. These local efforts go uncounted, yet they’re crucial.

James Kendra, Director, Disaster Research Center and Professor, Public Policy & Administration, University of Delaware • conversation
Jan. 20, 2025 • ~8 min

Companies keep selling harmful products – but history shows consumers can win in the end

Health leaders, researchers, advocacy groups, companies and the public have saved millions of lives by reducing the consumption of unhealthy products.

Eszter Rimanyi, Chronic disease and addiction epidemiologist, Duke University • conversation
Sept. 30, 2024 • ~8 min

Polaris Dawn mission to Earth’s orbit will test SpaceX’s capabilities for a commercial space program

The Polaris Dawn mission will test communications, perform research and conduct a spacewalk with SpaceX extravehicular spacesuits.

Wendy Whitman Cobb, Professor of Strategy and Security Studies, Air University • conversation
Aug. 23, 2024 • ~8 min

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