2026
How does AI affect how we learn? A cognitive psychologist explains why you learn when the work is hard
Chatbots can facilitate ‘cognitive offloading,’ or taking shortcuts when learning. But emerging research on AI and cognitive science shows that learning is like a workout.
As a philosopher, I’m convinced that Trump isn’t lying − he’s doing something worse
Donald Trump’s false claims about the Iran War, Epstein files, tariffs and inflation have left some supporters who have traditionally believed all he says feeling duped and abandoned. Why now?
The Constitution promises an interpreter for fair trials – US courts often can’t deliver
Federal protections promise a fair trial in a language you understand, but for millions who speak lesser-known languages, courts can’t keep that promise.
Pepper pot stew was survival food for the poor and a path to freedom for Black women in early Philadelphia
Dina escaped from slavery and sold pepper pot stew on the streets of Philadelphia, while her enslaver tried to recapture her.
How Pennsylvania towns are protecting themselves from the noise, heat and utility costs of massive data centers
Communities across the state are demanding to know how proposed data centers would affect their electric and water bills, landscapes and quality of life.
Trump’s ‘narco‑terrorism’ war in Latin America evokes Reagan – then as now, it’s more about fighting leftists than drug runners
The nebulous nature of narco-terrorism has allowed presidents from Reagan to Trump to deploy the term when it serves broader political goals in Latin America.
How money exchanges between House members shape the balance of power in Congress
Campaign contributions among House members show how parties build influence, protect vulnerable members and respond to election pressures.
Conspiracy theories that emerged from a civil rights shooting 60 years ago resonate today
The modern rhetorical and political resistance to racial equality finds its roots in the conspiratorial segregationists of the civil rights era.
Why the director of national intelligence needs more than political loyalty to do the job
The newly named director of national intelligence is a Trump political ally who has no experience in national security. A veteran of the field says it matters who holds the job.
National Science Foundation cuts mean researchers like me are losing grants – but impacts extend far beyond academia
As the National Science Foundation starts giving out fewer grants, people worldwide will potentially lose out from potential research findings that could help improve their lives.