Uncommon Courses[1] is an occasional series from The Conversation U.S. highlighting unconventional approaches to teaching. Title of course:What Is a Fact?What prompted the idea for the course?With all the conspiracy theories floating around in 2020 when COVID-19 hit, I wanted to help my students learn to identify and deal with them. I was
... Electric vehicles are usually safer for their occupants – but not necessarily for everyone else
The future of automobiles is electric[1], but many people worry about the safety of today’s electric vehicles.
Public opinion about EV crash safety often hinges on a few high-profile fire incidents[2]. Those safety concerns are arguably misplaced, and the actual safety of EVs is more nuanced.
I’ve researched vehicle safety[3] for more than...
Sourdough under the microscope reveals microbes cultivated over generations
Sourdough is the oldest kind of leavened bread[1] in recorded history, and people have been eating it for thousands of years. The components of creating a sourdough starter are very simple – flour and water. Mixing them produces a live culture where yeast and bacteria ferment the sugars in flour, making byproducts that give sourdough its...
Teens see social media algorithms as accurate reflections of themselves, study finds
Social media apps regularly present teens with algorithmically selected content often described as “for you,” suggesting, by implication, that the curated content is not just “for you” but also “about you” – a mirror reflecting important signals about the person you are.
All users of social media are exposed to these signals, but...