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The Conversation

The Conversation

Curated by professional editors, The Conversation offers informed commentary and debate on the issues affecting our world

Articles

image How to be more present with your kids this holiday season

How to be more present with your kids this holiday season
Julia Felton, Michigan State University and Crystal Cederna, Michigan State University Holidays are often depicted as picture-perfect moments: families blissfully united around a table filled with seasonal food favorites against ...
image Why do people always assume a connection?

Why do people always assume a connection?
By Glenn Fosbraey Many of us assume that everything a musician sings emerges from some autobiographical impulse. Pop music lyrics in particular are often read literally by fans as transparent ...
image UK benefits: AI use has brought bias and hunger

UK benefits: AI use has brought bias and hunger
Iris Lim, SOAS, University of London A freedom of information request has revealed that an AI system used by the UK government for assessing benefits cases is apparently getting it ...
image Music can change how you feel about the past

Music can change how you feel about the past
By Yiren Ren Have you ever noticed how a particular song can bring back a flood of memories? Maybe it’s the tune that was playing during your first dance, ...
image What makes you you

What makes you you
By Kelvin (Shiu Fung) Wong Spotify this week just released its 2024 Spotify Wrapped, the music streaming site’s annual presentation of each user’s yearly listening habits. It gives you ...
image Do Mom and Dad really know what’s best?

Do Mom and Dad really know what’s best?
By Annie Pezalla As a psychologist who studies family relationships, I can tell you that a parent’s No. 1 job is to keep their kids safe. When a kid becomes ...
image No need to overload your cranberry sauce with sugar

No need to overload your cranberry sauce with sugar
By Rosemary Trout The holidays are full of delicious and indulgent food and drinks. It’s hard to resist dreaming about cookies, specialty cakes, rich meats and super saucy side ...
image Fast fashion may seem cheap…

Fast fashion may seem cheap…
By Paula M Carbone Fast fashion is everywhere – in just about every mall, in the feeds of influencers on social media promoting overconsumption, and in ads constantly popping up online. ...
image Global plastic pollution talks have stalled

Global plastic pollution talks have stalled
By Steve Fletcher United Nations-backed talks for a global treaty to end plastic pollution wrapped up without an agreement in the early hours of Sunday December 1. A new round of ...
image The dark influence of the media magnates

The dark influence of the media magnates
By Gordon Fletcher Elon Musk’s regular posts of strong support for president-elect Donald Trump on his social media platform X and his expected role within the new US administration ...
image Air is an overlooked source of nutrients

Air is an overlooked source of nutrients
By Flávia Fayet-Moore and Stephen R Robinson You know that feeling you get when you take a breath of fresh air in nature? There may be more to it ...
image Kate Bush’s Hounds of Love was revolutionary

Kate Bush’s Hounds of Love was revolutionary
By Leah Kardos Kate Bush’s visionary 1985 concept album Hounds of Love was the second she had produced on her own (after The Dreaming in 1982), and the first recorded in ...
image Fitspiration: sending videos viral in minutes

Fitspiration: sending videos viral in minutes
By Adam Taylor The social media platform TikTok has become a cultural phenomenon, influencing the behaviour and taste of its users in almost every area of life. From dance trends ...