Editor's note

I’m about to tell you one of my deepest darkest secrets (on the condition you don’t unsubscribe from this newsletter). Pimple popping videos – I go nuts for them. Blackheads, cysts, even the tiniest pores can house the most incredible amount of pus. And until I listened to our latest episode of Trust Me, I’m an Expert, I thought there was something seriously wrong going on inside of this popping-crazed brain of mine. But it turns out, it’s actually a pretty normal obsession. In this episode – click here to listen – a psychology researcher explains why it makes perfect evolutionary sense to like pimple popping, cyst bursting and ingrown hair removal videos.

From popping pimples to pampering pooches, we asked two experts this week how we can know if our furry best friend is actually happy. Turns out, there are a few simple ways to know when they’re not. We even asked readers to send in photos of their dogs to use for this article, and we were not disappointed. You’ll see some of our editors’ doggos in this piece too – that’s our deputy Health + Medicine editor’s golden retriever about halfway through the piece.

Molly Glassey

Newsletter Editor

Top story

Yes Niles, but are you really happy? Molly Glassey/Staff dog

Is your dog happy? Ten common misconceptions about dog behaviour

Paul McGreevy, University of Sydney; Melissa Starling, University of Sydney

Here are ten common misconceptions about what dogs need and how they communicate with us. Plus, a gallery of reader and staff dog pictures!

Listen

After this episode, you’ll be able to explain how quantum mechanics affects everything from the way your jeans are cut to the headphones you use. Cindy Zhi/The Conversation NY-BD-CC

Trust Me, I'm An Expert: The explainer episode

Sunanda Creagh, The Conversation; Michael Lund, The Conversation; Wes Mountain, The Conversation; Julie Carli, The Conversation

Today on Trust me, I'm An Expert, we're explaining the tricky topics: what is quantum mechanics? What does the research say about lone actor terrorism? And why do people like pimple popping videos?

Business + Economy

Research shows networking is painful, but it can be a lot better

Libby Sander

If the physical setting, as well as clear strategies to facilitate new connections and networks are right, then networking wouldn't be such a pain.

Superannuation is still mired in the same old issues, and no one is going to fix your nest egg but you

Helen Hodgson, Curtin University

Despite recent reforms, the superannuation system is still beset with problems such as high fees and patchy performance. You need to pay attention if you want to make sure your nest egg's in the best hands.

Science + Technology

Violence is often accepted as a intrinsic part of sports. Shutterstock

The IOC thinks eSports are too violent for the Olympics, but traditional sports are violent too

Joanne Orlando, Western Sydney University; Keith Parry, Western Sydney University

We should consider the messages that violence and aggression in sports of all kinds give children and young people – and devise strategies to lessen the impact.

The colour of gold nanoparticles in suspension varies according to the size of the nanoparticles. Valeg96

Why nanotechnology is more than just a buzzword

Upulie Divisekera, Monash University

Nanotechnology brings together multiple science disciplines to create devices that mimic the refinements of nature. It’s difficult – and exhilarating.

Cities

People have always shared food, but digital communications technology is driving a renaissance of food-sharing networks. Josephine Lim/CrowdSpark/AAP

Food sharing with a 21st-century twist – and Melbourne's a world leader

Ferne Edwards, RMIT University; Anna R. Davies, Trinity College Dublin

Research into food sharing in Melbourne shows these networks are highly productive and produce many benefits. But policy and the law have yet to catch up.

A house at Little Paradise on Groote Eylandt, East Arnhem Land. Kieran Wong

We need to stop innovating in Indigenous housing and get on with Closing the Gap

Kieran Wong, Monash University

To deliver better housing for health, we must go back to what we know works, to the proven evidence-based solutions for design, construction, delivery and maintenance.

Politics + Society

Graphics: Emil Jeyaratnam/The Conversation; Images: AAP/Shutterstock

Christians in Australia are not persecuted, and it is insulting to argue they are

Robyn J. Whitaker, University of Divinity

Some Australian Christians claim to be persecuted – this is not only wrong, it is an insult to thousands around the world who are at risk because of their religion.

Roseanne Barr’s eponymous show was cancelled because of a racist tweet. Herbert Neubauer/AAP

Roseanne's implosion: when art, freedom of speech and social media collide

Sarah Joseph, Monash University

ABC's cancellation of the hit reboot Roseanne because of its star's racist tweet raises complex questions about freedom of speech and the line between public and private selves in the age of social media.

Barnaby Joyce blames his latest troubles on the absence of a general right to sue for breach of privacy. AAP/Lukas Coch

Barnaby Joyce's decision to sell his story is a breach of professional ethics

Denis Muller, University of Melbourne

In democratic political systems, public officials are accountable through the media to the people. That responsibility to be accountable comes with public office. It is not a marketable commodity.

Environment + Energy

CSIRO via Wikipedia

Mountain ash has a regal presence: the tallest flowering plant in the world

Gregory Moore, University of Melbourne

The majestic Eucalyptus regnans stands far above its forest brethren.

Arts + Culture

Friday essay: how do you measure remorse?

Kate Rossmanith, Macquarie University

In many legal jurisdictions of the world, including Australia, an offender’s remorse is a mitigating factor at sentencing. And yet how judges evaluate such expressions is unclear.

Guide to the classics: Darwin's On the Origin of Species

Julia Kindt, University of Sydney; Tanya Latty, University of Sydney

In this age of the pseudo-factual, its more important than ever to acquaint ourselves with the foundations of the scientific tradition, such as Darwin's Origin of Species.

Education

This image is from Te taniwha me te poraka, an issue from the Junior Journals series He Purapura, aimed at fluent readers. Wikimedia Commons

How children's picturebooks can disrupt existing language hierarchies

Nicola Daly, University of Waikato

Children's picturebooks are often underestimated, but bilingual books can be powerful in promoting a minority language.

 

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