In the News
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January 15, 2020
“Thirty percent of the energy in the U.S. comes from natural gas. If we can generate green methane, it’s a big deal,” said Zetian Mi, professor of electrical engineering and computer science, who co-led a new artificial photosynthesis approach that uses sunlight to turn carbon dioxide into methane — a scientific breakthrough that could help make natural-gas-powered devices carbon neutral.
The Hill -
January 15, 2020
“I would recommend that parents find some slow time to read without distractions. … We should show our kids that the news isn’t just entertaining and attention-grabbing, but it is a resource for making us better team players in our neighborhoods and our world, especially when we can really digest what is going on and think of solutions,” said Jenny Radesky, assistant professor of pediatrics, on introducing current events in the news to children.
The New York Times -
January 14, 2020
“You have a system where the potential for people to spread misinformation that gets believed on a wide landscape is huge,” said Josh Pasek, associate professor of communication and media, and faculty associate at the Center for Political Studies, on the barrage of falsehoods, fabricated or misleading content on social media tied to Iran’s retaliatory attack in Iraq last week.
USA Today -
January 14, 2020
“It really goes to show how ridiculous it is to claim that Congress understood the mandate to be so essential that if it were to be red-lined out, the rest of the law would have to fall,” said Nicholas Bagley, professor of law, on the minimal impact that repealing the fine for people without health insurance has had on “Obamacare” signups or premiums.
The Associated Press/ABC News -
January 14, 2020
“The Republicans and the Trump campaign snuck up on the Democrats in the 2016 campaign by whatever means. … But the Democrats will be more prepared in 2020,” said Michael Traugott, professor emeritus of communication and political science, and research professor emeritus at the Institute for Social Research.
Detroit Free Press -
January 13, 2020
The Stoics taught that virtue was its own reward and that external material goods were worthless. So why are the modern Stoics still obsessed with making money? “If they really wanted to live in accordance with Stoic philosophy, they would stop doing that, give up their mansions and private jets, and live modestly,” said Elizabeth Anderson, professor of philosophy, on modern Stoicism that is all the rage these days, especially among the Silicon Valley set.
Mother Jones -
January 13, 2020
Elizabeth Birr Moje, professor and dean of the School of Education, said the idea of school choice has really blossomed in the last 20 years and isn’t inherently bad. But she insists intentions behind choice and consequences are not always the same, and the important thing to consider is how choice is carried out and ensuring everyone has equal opportunity to choose.
WDET Radio (Detroit) -
January 13, 2020
Comments by Vincent Hutchings, professor of political science, were featured in a story about the support of President Donald Trump’s loyal political base for his decision to kill a top Iranian general. He said Trump’s base is “pretty much rock solid. In light of the events … I don’t see why any of Trump’s core supporters would call into question their full allegiance.”
Bloomberg -
January 10, 2020
“Real-world robots are regarded for the most part as benevolent and as a kind of symbol of an advanced, technologically savvy society. I think the Japanese have been more innovative in thinking about applications of robotics in everyday life, but the hype got in the way of reality,” said Jennifer Robertson, professor of anthropology and history of art, on Japan’s embracing of robots, but which often fail to meet the work standards of humans.
The New York Times -
January 10, 2020
Elliot Tapper, assistant professor of internal medicine, says public health options could reduce alcohol-related deaths — higher taxes on liquor, restrictions on the number of drinks someone could buy at a concert, more stringent blood alcohol levels for drivers: “I don’t think drinking is a crime, not at all, but there has to be a way to change policy to reduce access to the insane quantity of alcohol available for at-risk people.”
CNN