It seems, on the face of it, a clever retort to conservative Christians who express prejudicial attitudes toward gays and lesbians. Respond by quoting the words of Jesus Christ — specifically, his admonition, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” There’s just one problem: According to a new study, such reminders of the golden rule are utterly ineffective at changing minds or hearts. And if you emphasize the universality of this message of tolerance by quoting the leader of a different religion, anti-gay attitudes actually harden. That’s the conclusion ... Read More
Jewish Americans Win Alms Race
September 9, 2010 • By • Leave a Comment
Giving money to the poor is a doctrine of pretty much every religion, but a new study suggests some faiths are better than others at inspiring their followers to actually open their wallets. Specifically, Jewish families in the U.S. are more likely than their Christian counterparts to contribute to charities focusing on providing basic necessities. That’s the conclusion of a study by economist Mark Ottoni-Wilhelm, just published in the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion. After controlling for various factors that influence giving, such as income, education and family size, he ... Read More
Young Artists, Scientists Think Logically, Creatively
September 8, 2010 • By • Leave a Comment
Do scientists and artists think differently? Fifty years ago, novelist/physicist C.P. Snow famously fretted that the two disciplines were drifting apart, and subsequent research suggested he was onto something. Science students tended to excel at logical, analytical thinking, while budding artists scored highest in tests measuring imagination and creativity. But a newly published study of seniors at one British university reports that distinction has virtually vanished over the past five decades. Writing in the journal Thinking Skills and Creativity, Peter K. Williamson of the University of ... Read More
If Only Yosemite Were a Video Game
September 5, 2010 • By • Leave a Comment
Edward Abbey, celebrated hardcore environmentalist and author, prophesied in the 1960s that population growth, the rise of motorized tourism (creating the reluctance of people to escape the comforts of their automobiles) and the ensuing roads and hotels would overrun the American wilderness. It turns out he was both wrong and right. U.S. national parks are threatened — but by a lack of attendance, not a surplus. This apparent disinterest in outdoor activities has occurred in tandem with greater interest in electronic entertainment. Has Mario trumped Thoreau? And what does that mean ... Read More
Volunteer Work Prolongs Lives of Frail Elderly
August 30, 2010 • By • Leave a Comment
If you’re getting up in years, and the basic activities of daily living have become something of a struggle, doing volunteer work is probably the last thing on your mind. But new research suggests there’s an excellent reason to make the effort. You may actually live longer. That’s the conclusion of a study just published in the journal Social Science and Medicine, which examined death rates of a representative sample of American seniors. It found difficulties with basic daily activities, including those caused by decreased mobility or upper-arm strength, “are associated with an ... Read More