There's a great interview with neurologist Robert Burton on Scientific American. He talks about his research into why we are so convinced we’re right even when we’re wrong.
The ramifications of this kind of work impact politics, economics, medicine, and any number of other fields. If we know why we make wrong choices, then we can learn how to begin making informed ones about who we want as leaders, how to spend our money, and how to care for our health. Burton says:
I suspect that retreat into absolute ideologies is accentuated during periods of confusion, lack of governmental direction, economic chaos and information overload. At bottom, we are pattern recognizers who seek escape from ambiguity and indecision. If a major brain function is to maintain mental homeostasis, it is understandable how stances of certainty can counteract anxiety and apprehension. Even though I know better, I find myself somewhat reassured (albeit temporarily) by absolute comments such as, "the stock market always recovers," even when I realize that this may be only wishful thinking.
I was a big Hillary supporter. Toward the end there, I made hundreds of calls to voters in North Carolina to gently remind them to "Vote for Hillary!" And then I would get hung up on after the callees would wail, "Why won't you people leave me alone! Please! You HillRaisers keep calling me over and over! I can't stand it anymore!"
I still love Hillary. She will, of course, be running again in 2016. And she will, of course, win. But who to choose as her running mate? The answer couldn't be simpler -- Michelle Obama! I will always love Hillary, but Michelle is really starting to warm my heart.
Imagine an all-female ticket. Imagine another black and white ticket. Imagine the former First Ladies taking over the place.
After Michelle's recent media tour, I was nothing less than a little bit in love with her. Especially after she told Jon Stewart, in response to his question about why potential First Ladies are now being "voted" for by the media and the public. Her response was that she understood it because the 24-hour news cycle means that 24 hours need to be filled with something, and once the candidates themselves are exhausted as a source of news it's only natural for that focus to shift to those surrounding the candidates. She is saying that she understands our boredom and our need to not be bored! How could you not love her for that? She is simultaneously insightful and empathetic.
See what I mean? See why it has to be Hillary and Michelle in 2016?
In a 4-3 ruling, the Supreme Court of Connecticut ruled in favor of gay marriage. In 2004, eight same-sex couples sued claiming that their constitutional rights to equal protection and due process were violated when they were denied marriage licenses.
I think the majority's decision to use the word "segregation" is important and necessary. And something Barack Obama and Joe Biden should pay some attention.
From the ruling:
The issue presented by this case is whether the state statutory prohibition against same sex marriage violates the constitution of Connecticut. The plaintiffs, eight same sex couples, commenced this action, claiming that the state statutory prohibition against same sex marriage violates their rights to substantive due process and equal protection under the state constitution. The trial court rendered summary judgment in favor of the defendant state and local officials upon determining that, because this state’s statutes afford same sex couples the right to enter into a civil union, which affords them the same legal rights as marriage, the plaintiffs had not established a constitutionally cognizable harm. We conclude that, in light of the history of pernicious discrimination faced by gay men and lesbians and because the institution of marriage carries with it a status and significance that the newly created classification of civil unions does notembody, the segregation of heterosexual and homosexual
couples into separate institutions constitutes a cognizable
harm.
. . . the majority’s decision to grant quasi-suspect class status to sexual orientation is contrary to a sound and prudent interpretation of constitutional standards regarding equal protection of the laws because it unduly minimizes the unique and extraordinary political power of gay persons in this state, both generally speaking, and particularly in regard to the question of whether gay marriage should be recognized in this state.
Tell Me More Stories:
Although many governments in South America boast that aggressive saving and thriving commodities trading have been a buffer against economic hard times, the turmoil in the U.S. financial industry is starting to deflate those arguments.
Ofeibea Quist-Arcton, NPR's Africa-based correspondent, discusses the stories that have been painful and devastating for many nations on the continent. She also describes the stories that have been exciting, including the U.S. presidential race of Kenyan-born Sen. Barack Obama.
Maya Ajmera is among the ordinary people working to make a difference for others. She is the founder of the Global Fund for Children, a non-profit that gives small grants to grassroots organizations around the world that provide education, health care and shelter to poor children.
Jeff Henderson rose from Los Angeles' mean streets to become the executive chef at two top Las Vegas hotels, and wrote a best selling memoir. Now he aims to pass on what he's learned to other struggling young adults in a new reality TV show titled The Chef Jeff Project.
Fresh Air Stories:
Some feminists have had a hard time accepting Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin as a symbol of women's empowerment. But political science professor Ronnee Schreiber argues that conservatism and feminism are not mutually exclusive ideologies.
Director Jonathan Demme (Silence of the Lambs, Philadelphia) and screenwriter Jenny Lumet discuss their critically acclaimed new wedding dramedy Rachel Getting Married.
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