The Navigator
Saturday, June 29, 2024
Happy American Independence Day, subscribers!
This week, beat the heat! Share a favorite story from
with your network. We’re growing fast, and each share helps you and us expand and serve our terrific community even more!Also, in case you missed some of our stories posted earlier this year, here are two we recommend for a read (or re-read) this weekend—Small Acts of Courage by
, our interview with author and journalist Ali Velshi about how to take practical, everyday actions to make democracy work better for us all—and China hits its ‘great wall’ by , which explores the headwinds it faces and how its troubles could become our troubles, too.
China hits its ‘great wall’
The Declaration of Independence (The National Archives)
A complete transcript of the stirring words designed to convince Americans to inspire and unite themselves around the vision of a better life and create a new country, now known as the United States of America. The document highlights the list of 27 complaints these colonists had against Britain’s King George III, articulated to justify why it was time to separate from autocracy and unite as a new country comprised of “Free and independent States” —free from British rule. Signed on the fourth of July, 1776, the document is what we continue to celebrate annually, with fireworks.
The Center Must Hold (The Atlantic)
Why centrism—levers of moderation and pragmatism, an embrace of complexity, a deep commitment to democracy, a belief in equality of opportunity—is gathering support as a way to create a dramatic break from the trajectory of extremist politics across the world.
The brain makes a lot of waste. Now scientists think they know where it goes (NPR)
New insights into the brain's waste-removal system could one day help researchers better understand and prevent many brain disorders.
AI isn’t dumb, but it might be dumber than you think (The Washington Post)
It’s time to get real about what AI can and can’t do
Too much screen time harms children, experts agree. So why do parents ignore them? (The Los Angeles Times)
Many parents allow children more than double the TV and tablet time experts suggest. Families are turning to screens for learning and distraction, clashing with advice.
Unschooling Is the Parenting Trend That's Pissing Everyone Off (Rolling Stone)
No math. No social studies. Kids set the curriculum. Is this trend in education helping or harming kids?
Rise of the teratribe (NewScientist)
Tribalism can result in prejudice, hatred and war. Yet humanity’s survival may depend on us becoming a tribe of billions, argues anthropologist Harvey Whitehouse
I Taught the Taylor Swift Class at Harvard. Here’s My Thesis (Vanity Fair)
Professor Stephanie Burt shares what she learned about the singer’s stardom, relatability, and her own course at a college famous for being famous.