The Conversation - Sustaining hope in bleak times

+ how the 25th amendment works, estimating crowd sizes ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

The past year has overwhelmed most of us. Many people have dealt with sickness and death without the support of family and friends in times of social distancing and isolation. The political turbulence that we watched as throngs of people stormed the U.S. Capitol building on Wednesday only added to the bleakness of these times.

It is in that context that Rutgers Newark psychologist Jacqueline S. Mattis writes “if ever there were a time for a conversation about hope, it is now,” and gives us five strategies to cultivate hope.

Also today:

Kalpana Jain

Senior Religion + Ethics Editor

How do we find hope when times are bleak? Peter Muhly/AFP via Getty Images

5 strategies for cultivating hope this year

Jacqueline S. Mattis, Rutgers University - Newark

A year of social disconnections, deaths, job losses and political violence may lead some people to feel overwhelmed and sad. A psychologist suggests ways to find and sustain hope.

Politics + Society

How does the 25th Amendment work, and can it be used to remove Trump from office after US Capitol attack?

Stephanie Newbold, Rutgers University - Newark

Vice President Pence could invoke the 25th Amendment of the US Constitution, also known as the Disability Clause, if he believes Trump is 'unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office.'
The uncomfortable questions facing Capitol Police over the security breach by MAGA mob

Tom Nolan, Emmanuel College

A criminologist and former police officer reviewed the police operations at the Capitol and raises concerns over how an angry mob were able to circumvent security.
The insurrection at the Capitol challenged how US media frames unrest and shapes public opinion

Danielle K. Kilgo, University of Minnesota

The insurrection at the Capitol was unprecedented. So too was the coverage, according to a scholar who monitors how media reports on protests
US Capitol protesters, egged on by Trump, are part of a long history of white supremacists hearing politicians’ words as encouragement

Shannon M. Smith, College of Saint Benedict & Saint John's University

The protests that ended in the storming of the US Capitol included members of white supremacy groups, the latest example of such groups being encouraged by politicians to challenge government.
Thousands of Brazilians who won elections as Black candidates in 2020 previously ran for office as white

Andrew Janusz, University of Florida

A race-changing scandal raises suspicion about the motivations of 4,580 newly elected city council members and mayors who only recently began to identify as Black.

Video
It is difficult, if not impossible, to estimate the size of the crowd that stormed Capitol Hill Steve Doig, Arizona State University A professor of journalism explains why you should be skeptical of any numbers that you see over the next few days.

Health
Vaccine delays reveal unexpected weak link in supply chains: A shortage of workers Anna Nagurney, University of Massachusetts Amherst The shipment of goods to suppliers has become technologically sophisticated. Delays in getting out the COVID-19 vaccine to people show that the breakdowns come down to something more basic.

Environment + Energy
Pikas are adapting to climate change remarkably well, contrary to many predictions Andrew Smith, Arizona State University Pikas – small cousins of rabbits – live mainly in the mountainous US west. They've been called a climate change poster species, but they're more adaptable than many people think.

Multimedia
Why do smoke alarms keep going off even when there’s no smoke? MVS Chandrashekhar, University of South Carolina An electrical engineer explains how smoke detectors work, and how to reduce the chances of a false positive.

Ethics + Religion
What is Pure Land Buddhism? A look at how East Asian Buddhists chant and strive for buddhahood Charles B. Jones, Association of Theological Schools In China, many Buddhists hope for birth in a buddha-land so they can complete their path under a buddha’s direct supervision.

Science + Technology

Chadwick Boseman’s Black Panther gives a boost to diversity in STEM – a Black engineer’s take on personal and professional inspiration

Karl Zelik, Vanderbilt University

The late Hollywood star celebrated being young, Black and gifted, both on screen and off.
Connected workouts can help you get fit alongside virtual buddies during the pandemic

Deborah Feltz, Michigan State University; Karin Pfeiffer, Michigan State University

From step counters and active video games to apps for exercisers and tech-enabled gear, there are a lot of ways to combine your workouts with your digital life.
Here’s why some people are willing to challenge bullying, corruption and bad behavior, even at personal risk

Catherine A. Sanderson, Amherst College

Psychologists have identified the characteristics of 'moral rebels' who make the tough choice to stand up for their principles in the face of negative consequences.

The Conversation - Sustaining hope in bleak times

5 strategies for cultivating hope this year

Politics + Society

How does the 25th Amendment work, and can it be used to remove Trump from office after US Capitol attack?

The uncomfortable questions facing Capitol Police over the security breach by MAGA mob

The insurrection at the Capitol challenged how US media frames unrest and shapes public opinion

US Capitol protesters, egged on by Trump, are part of a long history of white supremacists hearing politicians’ words as encouragement

Thousands of Brazilians who won elections as Black candidates in 2020 previously ran for office as white

Video

It is difficult, if not impossible, to estimate the size of the crowd that stormed Capitol Hill

Health

Vaccine delays reveal unexpected weak link in supply chains: A shortage of workers

Environment + Energy

Pikas are adapting to climate change remarkably well, contrary to many predictions

Multimedia

Why do smoke alarms keep going off even when there’s no smoke?

Ethics + Religion

What is Pure Land Buddhism? A look at how East Asian Buddhists chant and strive for buddhahood

Science + Technology

Chadwick Boseman’s Black Panther gives a boost to diversity in STEM – a Black engineer’s take on personal and professional inspiration

Connected workouts can help you get fit alongside virtual buddies during the pandemic

Here’s why some people are willing to challenge bullying, corruption and bad behavior, even at personal risk

Older messages

Why Senate Republicans can't object away Biden's win

Top environment and energy stories of 2020

In the midst of winter, an invincible summer

Science stories that caught your fancy (and ours too)

A last opportunity to support journalism and have your donation tripled

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