Yuri Orlov – The Cornell physicist who was arrested by the KGB and exiled to Siberia
The incredible story of a scientist who survived gulags, fighting to change his country and physics.
- Physicist Yuri Orlov fought for human rights during the Cold War.
- He was arrested by the KGB and exiled to Siberia.
- Orlov's story can inspire scientists to fight for their beliefs.
This is how we end hyper-partisan politics
Want to empower social change? Break bread, literally, with the so-called enemy.
- Alice Dreger shares brilliant advice for divisive times: Break bread, literally, with your so-called enemy. "[S]ee if [you] can have a conversation, and preferably to do it over food or drink, because there is something very primal in us about sharing food and drink that allows us, I think, to open our hearts and our minds."
- If you're passionate about social change, Dreger recommends avoiding destructive tools or methods that would cause a kind of "arms race" in activism—it leads somewhere that no one wants to go.
- Spend time getting to know the issues you care about from a nonpartisan perspective—do descriptive, not normative, research. It will remind you of what the other side may be seeing that you might be missing because you're blinded by your partisan side.
Pussy Riot: Feminism is for everyone
Feminism simply means equal rights for men and women.
- Feminism that doesn't benefit men isn't really feminism.
- Gender is a palette you can draw with; the self is a piece of art.
- Women should have rights equal to those of men, end of story.
Faith Is Fine, as Long as We Laugh at Our Own Beliefs
A religious person without a sense of humor? That's a dangerous combination.
How can each religion be right and have conflicting beliefs? That, says Dave Barry, is why a sense of humor is crucial for religions to peacefully co-exist. Being able to laugh a little at our own behavior keeps us flexible, and religion really only becomes a danger when it's too rigid or is imposed on others. When a situation is tense in any area of life, humor is one of the most reliable ways to defuse it and find common ground again. The same goes for religion. Dave Barry is the co-author of For This We Left Egypt?.
Millions of Muslims March Against ISIL
Millions of Muslims marched to Karbala, Iraq even after suicide bombing and continued threats by ISIL. The Arbaeen pilgrimage continues to be a show of religious freedom.
While many in America were gathering around the table with family to give thanks this November, many in Iraq were making the pilgrimage to Karbala to mark Arbaeen. Under threat of ISIL attacks, millions of Shia Muslims continue to make the peaceful journey to mark the death of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammed, in 680 AD during a battle.
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