Martin Ruskov @mapto@qoto.org

Most Americans actually like wolves, no matter their politics.

But when researchers reminded people of their political identities, Democrats became more friendly to wolves and Republicans far more opposed. It’s an interesting study in how politics and social identity can fuel partisan polarization.

https://theconversation.com/americans-generally-like-wolves-except-when-were-reminded-of-our-politics-267511

“Environmental amnesia” lets critics focus on costs of laws, while forgetting why these laws were needed and the real benefits they delivered, according to an environmental law professor.

The “Documerica” project shows in clear photographic evidence how dirty the U.S. used to be. https://theconversation.com/the-us-used-to-be-really-dirty-environmental-cleanup-laws-have-made-a-huge-difference-271277

92% of adults view museums as nonpartisan sources of education.

This rare level of confidence gives museums both an opportunity and a responsibility to model how people might think and listen together, explains one museum director. https://theconversation.com/how-museums-can-help-rebuild-trust-in-a-divided-america-268466

Pronouncing Copilot as copy-lot

Finnish learn media literacy since pre-school to resist Russian disinfo

My highly educated family needs to do it too:
"students have been learning about fake news and disinformation for years, beginning with reading headlines and short texts... the fourth graders were tasked with coming up with five things to look out for when consuming online news to ensure it’s trustworthy. Now they are moving onto AI literacy, which is quickly becoming a vital skill"

https://apnews.com/article/fake-news-classrooms-finland-russia-194b32d8829838bfe47469d6ff357689
@nepravda

Today’s voters don’t evaluate scandal as citizens: they evaluate it as fans. Democrats and Republicans both seek to punish misdeeds by the other side but rationalize them for their own team, explains a professor who has written a book on how politicians survive scandal. https://theconversation.com/voters-shrug-off-scandals-paying-a-price-in-lost-trust-271077

At least 16 people have been killed during a week of unrest in Iran, rights groups have said, as protests over soaring inflation spread across the country. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/01/05/world/rights-groups-dead-iran-protests/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #worldnews #iran

Can the US ‘run’ Venezuela? Military force can topple a dictator, but it cannot create political authority or legitimacy https://theconversation.com/can-the-us-run-venezuela-military-force-can-topple-a-dictator-but-it-cannot-create-political-authority-or-legitimacy-272683

Mine workers roadblocks and blockades joined by union reinforcements from teachers, factory workers & neighbourhood committees; in conflict about #Bolivia economic model - control of natural resources. #Labourmovement #solidarity determines if Bolivia enters a cycle of accelerated #Privatisation of #lithium #rareearth elements, and public services.
https://orinocotribune.com/bolivia-general-strike-led-by-miners-union-continues/

#COB #Cochabamba #DirectAction #GeneralStrike #LaPaz #unions

@rjblaskiewicz https://syzito.xyz/@fkamiah17/115832547375033692

5 scenarios for a post-Maduro Venezuela — and what they could signal to the wider region https://theconversation.com/5-scenarios-for-a-post-maduro-venezuela-and-what-they-could-signal-to-the-wider-region-272675

Many across the Americas woke up to the news about Venezuela with déjà vu for the US arrest of Panama’s president in 1989.

An expert on U.S.-Latin American relations explains what’s different this time: https://theconversation.com/a-predawn-op-in-latin-america-the-us-has-been-here-before-but-the-seizure-of-venezuelas-maduro-is-still-unprecedented-272664

"Two of Florida’s most iconic coral species are now functionally extinct. The 2023–2024 marine heat wave wiped out 97.8% to 100% of staghorn and elkhorn corals across nearly 400 surveyed reefs, according to marine scientists.
https://theconversation.com/2-iconic-coral-species-are-now-functionally-extinct-off-florida-study-finds-we-witnessed-the-reefs-bleaching-and-devastation-267958"

Given the Trump administration’s recent statements and policy pronouncements, European leaders no longer have any excuse for failing to map out their own long-term security strategy. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/commentary/2025/12/30/world/decision-time-for-europe-on-ukraine/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #commentary #worldnews #volodymyrzelenskyy #russia #ukraine #russiaukrainewar #vladimirputin #europe #eu #nato #us #donaldtrump

The Future of Software Development Is Software Developers

Link: https://codemanship.wordpress.com/2025/11/25/the-future-of-software-development-is-software-developers/
Discussion: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46424233