Guest Thinkers — August 16, 2010

Gallup Analysis: Partisan Divide on Global Warming Grows

A recent report for the Gallup survey organization by Oklahoma State sociologist Riley Dunlap backs up what I have been arguing at this blog and in various articles regarding the “Two Americas” of global warming perceptions.

Following the lead of their preferred party’s elected officials and leaders, Democrats continue to grow more concerned about global warming while Republicans remain relatively unconcerned, dismissive of the science, and distrustful of news reports.

The full report is a must read. See in addition this recent study (PDF) I did analyzing two decades of public opinion trends on global warming and this column on breaking the partisan-perceptual gridlock, titled “Going Beyond Gore’s Message.”

Strange Maps

America’s news deserts are growing

Most counties in the U.S. have only one local newspaper, often one that publishes weekly instead of daily.

Two people walking past a dark brick wall with numerous security cameras pointing in various directions.

The Present

Are smart cities a wise idea?

When Google runs a smart city, who owns the data?

Illustration of a young woman with closed eyes, smiling, next to a large, detailed eye and surrounded by vibrant, abstract elements and smiley faces.

Neuropsych

Eyes wide shut: Why closing your eyes intensifies psychedelic trips

A recent study suggests that exposure to visual stimuli can diminish the effects of psychedelic drugs.

Starts With A Bang

The big idea of Grand Unified Theories of physics

If the electromagnetic and weak forces unify to make the electroweak force, maybe, at higher energies, something even grander happens?

Microscopic image of a small electronic component with clear details of its structure and connections against a gray background.

The Future

Making microbots smart

What would it take to create a truly intelligent microbot, one that can operate independently?

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