The Ku Klux Klan and the Value of Shame
We should not try to erase our nation’s history of racism. But we should feel ashamed of it.
Language
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How Do You Count Without Numbers?
Some human societies lack words for numbers. What does this say about the rest of us—and human evolution?
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Do Military Leaflets Save Lives or Just Instill Fear?
Modern warfare isn’t only conducted with bombs, tanks, and guns—language also plays a central role.
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Trump’s Slogan: More About the “Make” Than the “Great”
The promise of concrete action is appealing to a populace that feels like it’s stagnating. But making without thinking is a brutish strategy.
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Do You See What I See?
Cultural groups throughout the world talk about color differently—some don’t even have a word for color. So is color perception a universal human experience or not?
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The Power of the Dictionary
Dictionaries are typically viewed as being value-neutral. But they are just as steeped in culture and prejudice as the rest of the world—and they have the power to shape what we see as “normal.”