The word “populist” gets bandied around a lot these days, to the extent that it has become shorthand for a certain type of politician, often with specific views on immigration, race and identity. Aurelien Mondon and Alex Yates want us to think far more carefully about what we mean when we use this word. Have we slipped into the habit of saying “populist” when what we really mean is “extremist”? They think so – and argue that there are four very real consequences of conflating the two, all of which amount to lending legitimacy to people who don’t necessarily deserve it.

Mondon is one of two Conversation authors who will be taking your questions on far-right politics at a special event next week. Join us in central London at 6pm on March 6 for an open discussion on what threat the far right poses to democracies in this bumper election year – and what we need to know to take action against it. Register for your place at this free public session here. Rest assured, there will be food and drinks. And feel free to drop me a line directly if you have any questions about the event.

It’s been about 25 million years since our ancestors lost their tails, providing them with an evolutionary advantage. But a new paper shows us that we fallible humans are still paying the price for that loss.

Happy February 29, by the way. Most of us have a good understanding as to why we have an extra day in a leap year such as this. But did you know why it gets tacked onto the end of February rather than, say January, or any other month?

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