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Misinformation Really Does Spread like a Virus, Epidemiology Shows
We’re increasingly aware of how misinformation can influence elections. About 73% of Americans report seeing misleading election news, and about half struggle to discern what is true or false. When it comes to misinformation, “going viral” appears to be more than a simple catchphrase. Scientists have found a close analogy between the spread of misinformation and the spread of viruses. In fact, how misinformation gets around can be effectively described using mathematical models designed to simulate the spread of pathogens. Concerns about misinformation are widely held, with a recent UN survey suggesting that 85% of people worldwide are worried about it.
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A Guide to Being Brave In Relationships
From sustaining a marriage to making new friends, forming connections requires courage. This hour, TED speakers guide us through being brave during the most difficult moments in relationships. Guests include writer and podcaster Kelly Corrigan, journalist Allison Gilbert and clinical psychologists Julie and John Gottman.
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30 Essential Tips For Living a Longer, Happier, More Successful Life With No Regrets
The anti-aging market is littered with innovative products and procedures that promise consumers a healthier, happier, longer life. Some pursuits, like cryotherapy or what the industry refers to as photorejuvenation, are more experimental. Others, like New York City-based longevity clinic Fountain Life, claim to be more practical, using biomarkers to predict health outcomes and offering patients access to therapeutics. ... Having a conscientious personality is closely related to living longer, says David Watson, a former professor of personality psychology at the University of Notre Dame.
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People Overestimate Political Opponents’ Immorality
How would you describe a member of the opposite political party? Maybe you find them “annoying” or even “stupid.” Or you might even call them “bigoted” or “immoral.” Americans are deeply politically divided, and harsh language is not uncommon. Large majorities of Republicans and Democrats say they can’t agree on basic facts, and both parties report hating political opponents more than they love political allies. Although we lack reliable polling data from the 1800s, some scholars suggest we haven’t been this polarized since the Civil War.
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This Is Your Body on Sugar
For all of human history, the natural sugars in fruits, vegetables and other plants have served us well. They have provided essential fuel for our body’s most important processes. But now that sugars have been processed into more potent forms and added to so many foods and drinks — sodas, candies, breakfast cereals, salad dressings, breads — most of us are getting more sugar than our bodies were meant to handle.
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Why Some People Intentionally Cut, Burn or Bruise Themselves
Megan walked the halls of her suburban Houston junior high in shame. It was the first time she had to attend school with bruises on her face from the abuse by her father, who was an alcoholic. ... Most experts agree that self-injury is a cry for help and arises from a person trying and failing to process stress, said Dr. Jeremy Jamieson, professor and chair of psychology at the University of Rochester in New York state.
