What the controversial 1972 'Limits to Growth' report got right: Our choices today shape future conditions for life on Earth

A 1972 report warned that unchecked consumption could crater the world economy by 2100. Fifty years and much debate later, can humanity innovate quickly enough to avoid that fate?

Matthew E. Kahn, Provost Professor of Economics and Spatial Sciences, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences • conversation
July 12, 2022 • ~10 min

The thousands of vulnerable people harmed by Facebook and Instagram are lost in Meta's 'average user' data

Research from Meta and some scientists shows no harm from social media, but other research and whistleblower testimony show otherwise. Seemingly contradictory, both can be right.

Joseph Bak-Coleman, Postdoctoral Fellow at the Center for an Informed Public, University of Washington • conversation
Nov. 24, 2021 • ~7 min

New York City or Los Angeles? Where you live says a lot about what and when you tweet

An AI analysis shows that differences in how New Yorkers and Angelenos tweet go beyond the words they use.

Mayank Kejriwal, Research Assistant Professor of Industrial & Systems Engineering, University of Southern California • conversation
July 2, 2021 • ~8 min

Political leaders’ views on COVID-19 risk are highly infectious in a polarized nation – we see the same with climate change

Research and a recent campaign rally show how political leaders' rhetoric can shape risk perceptions among their loyal followers.

Wanyun Shao, Assistant Professor of Geography, University of Alabama • conversation
Oct. 13, 2020 • ~7 min

Political leaders' attitudes toward COVID-19 risk are highly infectious in a polarized nation – just like climate change denial

Research and a recent campaign rally show how political leaders' rhetoric can shape risk perceptions among their loyal followers.

Wanyun Shao, Assistant Professor of Geography, University of Alabama • conversation
Oct. 13, 2020 • ~7 min

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