Editor's note

As the world mourns with Pittsburgh for the victims at the Tree of Life synagogue, we remember Mr. Rogers – one of the city’s most beloved sons – and his message that hope is good for our health. Richard Gunderman of Indiana University reminds us that “each of us can play an important role in making the world a kinder place.”

No matter how charged the rhetoric in politics may have gotten, teachers can still guide students to engage in more respectful debates, argues Tiffany Mitchell Patterson of West Virginia University. Mitchell lists seven ways teachers, parents and others can help young people to disagree without anger.

And The Ohio State University President Michael Drake takes us back to another fraught time in the country’s history: the 1960s. He writes about how music spoke to the country’s anguish – and ultimately helped bridge a cultural divide. Songs of the ‘60s are songs worth returning to, and Drake lists a few of his favorites.

Lynne Anderson

Health + Medicine Editor

Top stories

Squirrel Hill neighbors embrace, after hearing of the shootings at the Tree of Life synagogue, Oct. 27, 2018. Keith Srakocic/AP Photo

How Mister Rogers’ message of love might help us now

Richard Gunderman, Indiana University

Fred Rogers was not blind to evil, but he still taught love in the face of it. His real neighborhood under attack, his neighbors showed love and forgiveness that can teach and inspire us all.

Lessons in civil discourse can start in the classroom. Monkey Business Images/www.shutterstock.com

7 ways to teach civil discourse to students

Tiffany Mitchell Patterson, West Virginia University

A former middle school teacher offers a series of tips on how educators can teach young people to engage in more civil discourse.

The Supremes, with their polished performances and family-friendly lyrics, helped to bridge a cultural divide and temper racial tensions. AP Photo/Frings

The soundtrack of the Sixties demanded respect, justice and equality

Michael V. Drake, The Ohio State University

Fifty years ago, Sly and the Family Stone sang 'We got to live together, I am no better and neither are you.' The words ring just as true today.

Politics + Society

Science + Technology

  • Where sexes come by the thousands

    Antonis Rokas, Vanderbilt University

    There is more to sex than male and female. For some species there are hundreds and even thousands of sexes and mating types.

  • Illuminating the ‘dark web’

    Robert Gehl, University of Utah

    Begun as part of efforts to preserve online anonymity and privacy, Freenet, Tor and the Invisible Internet Project are, like the rest of the web, home to both crime and free expression.

Ethics + Religion

From our International Editions

Today’s quote

“In 2016, about 26 percent of young people said they were paying at least some attention to the elections. This fall, the proportion of youth who report that they are paying attention to the midterm races rose to 46 percent.”

 

Generation Z voters could make waves in 2018 midterm elections

 

Kei Kawashima-Ginsberg

Tufts University

Kei Kawashima-Ginsberg
 

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