Volcanoes are erupting in The Philippines, but on-fire Australia received some welcome rain. The Iran war cries have been called off and The Donald’s military powers are about to be hamstrung by the Senate. Meanwhile, his impeachment trial is starting, and we’re all on Twitter for a front-row seat.
Author: Molly Bergen
12/28/2021
Omicron Variant Might Help Defend Against Delta, Lab Study Suggests
In the lab, antibodies produced during an Omicron infection protected against Delta. If Omicron dominates in the real world, that could lead to a less dire future.
01/03/2022
Not all polarization is bad, but the US could be in trouble
For the first time, the United States has been classified as a “backsliding democracy” in a global assessment of democratic societies by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, an intergovernmental research group.
01/04/2022
Chasing the ‘Ghost Bird’ of Australia’s Outback
An elusive, nocturnal parrot disappeared for more than a century. An unlikely rediscovery led to ornithological scandal — and then hope.
01/03/2022
New Year’s Listicle: Top 2 Cognitive Biases
Happy Twilight of the Holiday Season! NZN is ringing in the new year with two more world-premiere short animated videos, followed by some thoughts about the future evolution of this newsletter.
01/03/2022
Opinion: The vanishing case for student loan forgiveness
Student loan forgiveness is back in the news since the Biden administration decided to again extend the repayment holiday.This is a topic where I think the facts have changed considerably since Slow Boring’s debut in mid-November of 2020, and as a result I have changed my mind.
01/02/2022
How Body Farms and Human Composting Can Help Communities
Like every other aspect of our society, how we handle death and dying needs to change in the face of climate change. This method may be a path forward.
12/30/2021
99 Good News Stories You Probably Didn’t Hear About in 2021
What if bad news wasn’t the only news?
12/09/2021
How ‘Wintering’ Replenishes
In so many stories and fables that shape us, cold and snow, the closing in of the light — these have deep psychological, as much as physical, reality.
12/28/2021
Chile Writes Its Constitution, Confronting Climate Change Head On
Chile has lots of lithium, which is essential to the world’s transition to green energy. But anger over powerful mining interests, a water crisis and inequality has driven Chile to rethink how it defines itself.
12/21/2021
Feds moving to ban plastic straws, bags by end of 2022
It's the end of days for plastic grocery bags and Styrofoam takeout containers in Canada, but the products can still be manufactured for export.
12/26/2021
Swiss to allow simple legal gender transition from Jan. 1
People in Switzerland will be able to legally change gender by a visit to the civil registry office from Jan. 1, putting the country at the forefront of Europe's gender self-identification movement.
01/01/2022