How social media is harming society

We describe the recent lawsuits against social media companies and how the harm extends beyond kids to the rest of society

23 hrs ago • Dominic Packer & Jay Van Bavel

22

1

3

March 2026

Reflections on The AI Doc: Or How I Became an Apocaloptimist

Why the Biggest Challenges of AI Technology are Human.

Mar 28 • Center for Conflict + Coop., Jay Van Bavel, and Anni Sternisko

13

6

5

Will AI save humanity or destroy us all?

We are giving away free tickets to subscribers for our pre-release screening and live panel discussion of "THE AI DOC: Or How I Became an…

Mar 18 • Center for Conflict + Coop., Jay Van Bavel, and Anni Sternisko

3

1

1

How to Disagree Better

How to engage more effectively with opposing viewpoints (book interview + giveaway with Julia Minson)

Mar 17 • Dominic Packer & Jay Van Bavel

34

10

Entrepreneurs of Identity

The Problem with the Vitality Curve

Mar 12 • Dominic Packer & Jay Van Bavel

24

1

8

The Downfall of Stereotype Threat

How one of social psychology’s most influential ideas started to crumble—and what replaces it.

Mar 3 • Dominic Packer & Jay Van Bavel and Michael Inzlicht

19

1

4

February 2026

“Not American Enough"

How stereotypes and feelings of status threat can explain why Bad Bunny’s set was so polarizing

Feb 25 • Yvonne Phan

21

5

1

Why are we suckers for Astrology, the Myers-Briggs, and other pseudoscientific personality tests?

Astrology signs and MBTI do not predict people's lives (but the Big 5 does). We explain why people love them nevertheless.

Feb 19 • Dominic Packer & Jay Van Bavel

37

9

9

Competition is what we see. Cooperation is what makes it possible

How the norms of Olympic competition allow us to transcend deep international divides

Feb 13 • Dominic Packer & Jay Van Bavel

6

2

How the Super Bowl will fundamentally change the identity of millions of kids

We explain why winning increases identity and why underdogs have a unique appeal

Feb 7 • Jay Van Bavel

12

3

An Unexpected Model for Education in the Age of Polarization

How a small residence in New York City created a transformative educational experience

Feb 3 • Dominic Packer & Jay Van Bavel, Anni Sternisko, and Diego Reinero

6

2

January 2026

When AI Can Fake Majorities, Democracy Dies Quietly

The new threat of "malicious AI swarms”—and how to defend the public sphere

Jan 27 • Dominic Packer & Jay Van Bavel, Daniel Thilo, and Jonas R. Kunst

22

6