The Conversation U.S.

QAnon is not dead. Its language has moved from fringe message boards into official government accounts. Nearly a decade after the conspiracy theory emerged, QAnon phrases like “Trust the Plan” and “Patriots are in Control” are showing up in posts from the White House and Pentagon. And whether or not these references in official government accounts are truly ideological or simply trolling is less relevant than the effect they have, writes a scholar of conspiracy theories and extremism. The government is intentionally or unintentionally emboldening conspiracy theories, fueling new claims that “undermine public health, governance and civil society,” says Matthew N. Hannah who teaches at University of Wisconsin-Madison. “I believe these ghostly eruptions of QAnon conspiracy theories into the public will only continue to divide Americans at a time of social and economic crisis.” https://lnkd.in/eTKQ-mxc

The Supreme Court allowed Trump’s plan to restrict on mail voting to move forward — but it didn’t rule on whether it’s legal. Our politics and legal affairs editor Naomi Schalit talked with Quinnipiac University election law scholar John J. Martin about how the court didn’t get into the issue of whether Trump has the authority to do what he wants to do – and how this ruling adds uncertainty for voters and the officials trying their best to run fair elections. https://lnkd.in/gNPpZuQY #Politics #News #SCOTUS

A lifted evacuation order doesn’t necessarily mean a home is safe. Even homes untouched by flames can contain hidden health risks after a wildfire. Purdue University environmental engineer Andrew W. – who studies what’s left behind by fires – shares tips on what to check and what to do before moving back in: https://lnkd.in/ePpcEUct #wildfires #health #Spokane

Measles was once on the path toward global elimination. Now it’s surging again. Nearly 11 million people are expected to contract the virus this year. The reason is straightforward: Not enough people are getting vaccinated. In the US and Canada, the issue is vaccine hesitancy. But in Bangladesh, where measles has killed more than 900 people this year, the issue is funding cuts and supply chain issues. https://lnkd.in/dsEHyM_5

International students can currently stay in the U.S. as long as they remain enrolled and follow visa rules. Starting Sept. 15, that changes. Most will be admitted for a fixed period of up to four years — a shift that could disrupt longer degree programs, university research and teaching. https://lnkd.in/eN3x3AQ9 #highered #college #immigration #education

Teaching students to rely on their own imagination, intuition and self-reflection is more important than ever as AI becomes ubiquitous. The traits that make us vulnerable are often what drive our greatest creative work. “I want them to think twice before trying to mask, with a chatbot, the inherent frailties, weaknesses, obsessions and digressions of the human mind,” explains Billy J. Stratton a professor of English at the University of Denver. “I want them to embrace these human tendencies and surrender to what poet William Wordsworth called the ‘spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings.’ After all, the greatest art often emerges from those who are at their most vulnerable, confused and lost.” https://lnkd.in/emDdzVWR #AI #education #highered

Jason Arday’s death came after weeks of intense scrutiny over allegations of plagiarism. His story raises broader questions about why accusations of plagiarism can carry such enormous weight. “In academia, there is no greater sin than passing off another’s work as one’s own,” writes Roger Kreuz of University of Memphis. But ideas about originality haven’t always been the same, Kreuz explains. More about how these standards have evolved and why allegations of copying have become such a powerful way to challenge someone’s credibility. https://lnkd.in/eqwxaH24 #JasonArday #highered

Private donations don’t give a president a blank check. Trump argues privately donated money means he doesn’t need Congress’ approval for his $400 million White House ballroom. Federal judges have disagreed, but the Supreme Court has put that judgment on hold temporarily. Here’s why “patriotic” donations still come with legal strings attached: https://lnkd.in/eekV3Y2R

About half of American workers have working-class jobs. Just 1% of lawmakers do. It’s not because working-class candidates can’t win, but running for office requires time away from work, financial risk and months of uncertainty — costs many working people simply can’t afford. (Photo: Troy Jackson, the Democratic nominee in Maine’s U.S. Senate race, greets a supporter.) https://lnkd.in/grg_-_JX

𝒞𝓊𝓇𝓈𝒾𝓋ℯ 𝒾𝓈 𝓂𝒶𝓀𝒾𝓃ℊ 𝒶 𝒸ℴ𝓂ℯ𝒷𝒶𝒸𝓀 𝒾𝓃 𝒜𝓂ℯ𝓇𝒾𝒸𝒶𝓃 𝒸𝓁𝒶𝓈𝓈𝓇ℴℴ𝓂𝓈. More than 25 states now require schools to teach it. Research suggests handwriting can benefit learning and memory (but the evidence that cursive is better than print is less clear.) https://lnkd.in/eGjyuErU