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Dartmouth and University of Michigan Researchers Identify Decline in Post-COVID Social Connections

Dartmouth and University of Michigan Researchers Identify Decline in Post-COVID Social Connections

A research team from Dartmouth and the University of Michigan has found a significant decline in social connections since the COVID-19 pandemic. The study, which is currently undergoing peer review, utilized data from an annual survey conducted by Tuck School of Business professor Adam Kleinbaum among first-year MBA students since 2009. The findings indicate that individuals are forming fewer social connections than before the pandemic, and the connections they do form are increasingly based on physical proximity. The researchers, including Kleinbaum, psychological and brain sciences graduate student Caitlyn Lee, University of Michigan social scientist Scott Page, and psychological and brain sciences professor Thalia Wheatley, suggest that while the sample group is specific to MBA students, the observed trends are likely universal. They highlight that even within an environment like Tuck, which offers numerous opportunities for social interaction, students are making fewer connections.
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Zenbarn Celebrates 10th Anniversary as a Community Hub in Waterbury, Vermont

Zenbarn Celebrates 10th Anniversary as a Community Hub in Waterbury, Vermont

Zenbarn Celebrates 10th Anniversary as a Community Hub in Waterbury, Vermont
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Scientists Sue National Science Foundation Over Closure of Social Science Directorate

Scientists Sue National Science Foundation Over Closure of Social Science Directorate

Three scientific societies and two college instructors filed a federal lawsuit on November 9 against the National Science Foundation (NSF) and its acting director, Brian Stone. The lawsuit seeks to prevent the closure of the Directorate for Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences (SBE), which is responsible for funding the majority of federal basic research in these fields. The plaintiffs argue that NSF leaders violated the Administrative Procedure Act and the agency's founding law by announcing the closure in April without consulting the National Science Board or providing an official reason. The complaint, filed in federal court in Boston, states that the closure would cause irreparable harm to scientific research and thousands of jobs. SBE annually distributes approximately $247 million in grants, representing nearly two-thirds of federal funding in these areas. Since the announcement, almost all of the directorate's staff have been reassigned. NSF spokesperson Mike England stated that the directorate ...
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New Book 'Big Math' Uncovers Hidden Algorithms Shaping Modern Life

New Book 'Big Math' Uncovers Hidden Algorithms Shaping Modern Life

Steven Strogatz and Alex Townsend, professors at Cornell University, have released their new book, 'Big Math: The Hidden Codes That Run Our World.' Published by Little, Brown and Company, the book delves into the mathematical concepts that form the foundation of algorithm-driven technologies and modern life. Strogatz, the Susan and Barton Winokur Distinguished Professor for the Public Understanding of Science and Mathematics, and Townsend, an associate professor of mathematics, define 'Big Math' as mathematics calculable and comprehensible primarily by computers. They assert that this type of math is pervasive, influencing everything from mortgage approvals and MRI machine efficiency to the addictive nature of platforms like TikTok. The authors aim to demystify the internal workings of artificial intelligence, explaining its mathematical underpinnings rather than just its applications. The book also incorporates historical examples to narrate the evolution of these mathematical concepts, tracing their orig...
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New Study Reveals Digital Detox Desire Linked to Self-Control, Not Addiction

New Study Reveals Digital Detox Desire Linked to Self-Control, Not Addiction

New Study Reveals Digital Detox Desire Linked to Self-Control, Not Addiction
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Red Rose Film Festival to Screen 'No Dogs or Italians Allowed' in Lancaster, PA

Red Rose Film Festival to Screen 'No Dogs or Italians Allowed' in Lancaster, PA

Red Rose Film Festival to Screen 'No Dogs or Italians Allowed' in Lancaster, PA
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NPR's Alt.Latino Previews Latin Grammys, Highlighting Latin American Folk Music Influence

NPR's Alt.Latino Previews Latin Grammys, Highlighting Latin American Folk Music Influence

NPR's Alt.Latino Previews Latin Grammys, Highlighting Latin American Folk Music Influence
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Georgia will continue to get more diverse — and older, report shows

Georgia will continue to get more diverse — and older, report shows

Georgia became a majority-minority state for the first time last year, and now a new population report says the state will continue to diversify.
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Gen Z Muslim Men in U.S. Blend Traditional and Contemporary Fashion

Gen Z Muslim Men in U.S. Blend Traditional and Contemporary Fashion

Gen Z Muslim Men in U.S. Blend Traditional and Contemporary Fashion
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Documentary 'The Hummingbird Paints Fragrant Songs' to Open DOC NYC 2026 with U.S. Premiere

Documentary 'The Hummingbird Paints Fragrant Songs' to Open DOC NYC 2026 with U.S. Premiere

Documentary 'The Hummingbird Paints Fragrant Songs' to Open DOC NYC 2026 with U.S. Premiere
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New Study Reveals Digital Detox Desire Not Linked to Tech Addiction, but Mindfulness and Self-Control

New Study Reveals Digital Detox Desire Not Linked to Tech Addiction, but Mindfulness and Self-Control

New Study Reveals Digital Detox Desire Not Linked to Tech Addiction, but Mindfulness and Self-Control
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New Study Reveals Gen Z's High Levels of Misery and Depression, Prompting Calls for Hope and Support

New Study Reveals Gen Z's High Levels of Misery and Depression, Prompting Calls for Hope and Support

A recent study indicates that Gen Z is experiencing significantly higher levels of misery compared to previous generations, with one in four individuals receiving treatment for depression. This finding, highlighted by Crissa Esse, reveals that only 44% of Gen Zers (ages 18-29) were classified as 'thriving' by Gallup researchers in 2026, marking the lowest score for young adults since 2008, excluding 2020. While various factors are speculated to contribute to this trend—including excessive screen time, unhealthy diets, societal changes, economic instability, and political corruption—the article emphasizes the need for hope and support, particularly through faith and community.