By Subject - Social Science

  • Farming, Native American style
    Farming, Native American style

    Native agriculture could be a sophisticated response to a challenging environment. What were the secrets of permaculture, companion cropping and corn farming? Could these techniques contribute to modern farming?


    Thursday, April 5th, 2012
  • Know thy genes, know thyself?
    Know thy genes, know thyself?

    Advances in genetics raise the stakes in genetic counseling, but the genetic role in disease can be complicated, elusive. What role do faith, personality and knowledge play in the complex discussions over genetic disease?


    Thursday, March 15th, 2012
  • Calendars: A fix needed?
    Calendars: A fix needed?

    Leap day approaches. But could a smart calendar finally drive a stake through the heart of Feb. 29? Could a “permanent” calendar place Christmas and New Year’s Day on Sunday, and simplify life for people who make schedules? It’s possible — but only if the new calendar gains acceptance…


    Thursday, February 16th, 2012
  • Garbage, lipstick and flat-screens
    Garbage, lipstick and flat-screens

    Sick of stats on unemployment, the GDP or stock market? Then meet the alternative economic indicators. Some are sensible, some are zany, and some are even backed by real data. Other “indicators” are misleading, even downright dangerous.


    Thursday, January 12th, 2012
  • Bookin’ science: Best of the batch.

    If (gasp!) the subject is too big for a Whyfile, hit the books. Here, we review four great science books, on evolution, environment, fighting nature, and discovering motherly love.


    Tuesday, December 20th, 2011
  • Holiday blue? NOT!
    Holiday blue? NOT!

    Sick of the scare stories about holiday stress? Over-eating, over-this, over-that? What’s the upside of holidays, in terms of ritual and getting together with family and friends? What’s more conducive to happiness: giving or receiving?


    Thursday, December 15th, 2011
  • Science Teachers: Hip yourself to a great resource!
    Science Teachers: Hip yourself to a great resource!

    For 15 years, we’ve presented the science behind the news. The Why Files are accurate, engaging, entertaining and educational. Check our links from national science teaching standards to specific Why Files — all 750 of them! Whether it’s geology or archaeology, weather or human behavior, The Why Files has it covered.


    Tuesday, November 8th, 2011
  • The psychological price of job loss
    The psychological price of job loss

    With the jobless rate still above 8%, what happens to depression, anxiety, brooding? Is job loss worse if you have more education? Could long-term job loss shorten your life?


    Thursday, September 15th, 2011
  • Civil war: Changing a stuck mind
    Civil war: Changing a stuck mind

    After six decades, the Palestine-Israel stalemate seems hopeless. But could that very hopelessness be blocking a solution? A new study of people on both sides of the struggle shows that learning about the peaceful resolution of other intractable conflicts can increase their willingness to compromise – a key to peace.


    Thursday, September 1st, 2011
  • Weather, climate, war
    Weather, climate, war

    If conflicts are more common near the equator, what will global warming affect do? A new study shows increases in conflict during el Niño periods — but only during the warm, dry part of the cycle, and only in places affected by these big climatic cycles.


    Thursday, August 25th, 2011


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