In The News

Crowding Out the Locals: Are Weekend Trips Ruining Cities?

Dinah Deckstein and Alexander Kühn August 9, 2016
Many tourists try to squeeze as many possible experiences as possible into a few days, and quick weekend jaunts are common. Communities and businesses target visitors with sporting events and festivals; less savory are pub crawls and binge-drinking activities. “Tourists are conquerors who disguise themselves as friends, which often makes them difficult to deal with, no matter how much money they...

Will This Be the Happiest Place in the World?

Louise Redvers August 5, 2016
People who don't need to resort full attention to survival turn to more fulfilling pursuits including happiness. The United Arab Emirates is intent on developing itself as a place of happiness, by appointing a state minister, renaming some departments, and selecting 60 officials to travel overseas to study the state of mind and how it spreads. “Currently ranked 28th out of 156 countries...

Through the Venezuelan Looking Glass

Ricardo Hausmann August 4, 2016
Despite history’s many warnings about leaders’ erratic behavior ending up in catastrophe, similar stories are unfolding today. Venezuela, despite having the world’s largest oil reserves, is suffering from severe shortages of basic supplies, a crisis that’s the consequence of increasingly absurd government policies, suggests Ricardo Hausmann, economist, Harvard professor and former minister of...

Unwanted Migration: How Governments Cope?

Joseph Chamie and Barry Mirkin August 4, 2016
Uncontrolled migration – spurred by a growing populations, fewer resources like water or arable land as well as increasing conflict – has become a contentious political issue, particularly in advanced economies like Europe and the United States, argue demography experts Joseph Chamie and Barry Mirkin. Passions run high as liberals support assistance and an emphasis on human rights of displaced...

In Humayun Khan and His Family, A Complex Portrait of Patriotism

AJ Willingham August 1, 2016
US Army Captain Humayun Khan, 27, the son of Pakistani immigrants, died in service of his country in Iraq. Twelve years later, Khizr Khan, spoke at the Democratic National Convention in support of candidate Hillary Clinton. The father’s speech, a powerful testament to American values, criticized Donald Trump and resonated in the convention hall and beyond, demonstrating the ability of US citizens...

WikiLeaks Has Officially Lost the Moral High Ground

Emma Grey Ellis July 29, 2016
WikiLeaks is releasing sensitive documents – including emails from the Democratic National Committee in the United States and those of the Turkish prime minister – without ample vetting: “lately the timing of and tone surrounding their leaks have felt a little off,” comments Emma Grey Ellis for Wired. “If they’re not scrutinizing their own leaks on the base level of their content, it’s not hard...

Smartphone Addiction: The Slot Machine in Your Pocket

Tristan Harris July 27, 2016
Smartphones and social media by their very nature are like slot machines, enticing users to check for updates and news, explains Tristan Harris for Spiegel Online, describing intermittent variable rewards and need for social approval. The technology, like magicians, gives users the illusion of choice. “Western Culture is built around ideals of individual choice and freedom,” Harris writes. “...