Presidential debate may open discussion, not herald a victor

+ fireworks sales have fallen back to Earth US Edition - Today's top story: Debate offers opportunity for errors, partisan spin − and maybe an opening for change [View in browser]( US Edition | 27 June 2024 [The Conversation] [The Conversation]( Top headlines - [Anti-DEI legislation has chilling effect on LGBTQ+ faculty]( - [AI companies are training language models on YouTube’s archive]( - [Humor has deep roots in Catholic tradition]( Lead story The presidential campaign will shift into a new gear this evening with the first debate between the presumptive major-party candidates. This is the earliest debate in any campaign season ever, which brings some opportunities for the candidates and even the public, as Auburn University’s Susan Fillippeli explains. A former political communications consultant who now teaches that subject, she pointedly observes that “[historically, debates tend to have greater effects]( on the outcome of elections when one of the candidates says or does something stupid.” But while both Donald Trump and Joe Biden are focused on not making an error, don’t get your hopes up for either of them to score a lasting victory, according to W. Joseph Campbell, a professor emeritus of communication at American University. Campbell looks back at the first televised presidential debate, between U.S. Sen. John F. Kennedy and Vice President Richard Nixon, in 1960. As it’s told today, Nixon lost the presidency in that debate by being sweaty and uncomfortable under the blazing TV studio lights. But, Campbell explains, [the “prevailing view at the time]( was that the debate settled nothing about the 1960 race for the presidency.” In fact, significant proportions of pundits and audience members thought Nixon had come out on top. Campbell notes that “first assessments can be fleeting and prone to dramatic revision,” so the initial results of tonight’s debate may look very different by the time November rolls around. In fact, Fillippeli observes, “it is not out of the question that a very poor showing by either candidate could lead to serious discussions about replacing that candidate as the party’s nominee.” [ [Miss us on Sundays? Get a selection of our best and most popular stories (or try our other weekly emails).]([]]( Jeff Inglis Politics + Society Editor Today's newsletter supported by [readers like you.]( Yet to be seen: a new style of presidential debate. Watchalee Sirikayon/iStock/Getty Images Plus [Debate offers opportunity for errors, partisan spin − and maybe an opening for change]( Susan Fillippeli, Auburn University Featuring several unique rules, including no live audience and mics that cut off when it’s not a speaker’s turn, the debate might help shape the 2024 presidential race. Education - [5 ways anti-diversity laws affect LGBTQ+ people and research in higher ed]( Abbie E. Goldberg, Clark University Laws that scrap diversity, equity and inclusion programs on campus are likely to result in less support for LGBTQ+ students, a psychology professor explains. Economy + Business - [After years of explosive growth, fireworks sales have fallen back to Earth – here’s why]( Jay L. Zagorsky, Boston University Setting off fireworks at home was as much a pandemic trend as buying a Peloton. Presidential debate - [As debate approaches, presidents are blamed for events over which they have little control]( Andrew Reeves, Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis Most efforts to project how well a candidate will do in an election are based largely on factors over which presidents have little to no control. - [What people say today about the first televised presidential debate, between Nixon and JFK, doesn’t match first reactions in 1960]( W. Joseph Campbell, American University School of Communication While people now reflect on how or whether Nixon’s sweaty, haggard appearance during the debate cost him the election, the view in 1960 was that the debate was a draw. Science + Technology - [AI companies train language models on YouTube’s archive − making family-and-friends videos a privacy risk]( Ryan McGrady, UMass Amherst; Ethan Zuckerman, UMass Amherst Many videos people upload to YouTube aren’t really meant for public consumption, but they’re available for AI companies to vacuum up. Many of these personal videos are posted by children. - [Lucy, discovered 50 years ago in Ethiopia, stood just 3.5 feet tall − but she still towers over our understanding of human origins]( Denise Su, Arizona State University A photo of Lucy’s reconstructed skeleton next to a live four-year-old girl shows how human Lucy was – and how small. - [The science behind splashdown − an aerospace engineer explains how NASA and SpaceX get spacecraft safely back on Earth]( Marcos Fernandez Tous, University of North Dakota Safely landing a spacecraft that’s falling from the sky very quickly is easier said than done. International - [Kenya protests: Ruto pulling the finance bill is unlikely to satisfy angry young protesters – here’s why]( Kathleen Klaus, Uppsala University Kenyans, particularly young ones, are fed up with rising prices as well as being ignored, of corruption and of the conspicuous consumption of politicians. Environment + Energy - [Hail the size of golf balls and even grapefruit? The science of how tiny ice crystals grow dangerously large]( Brian Tang, University at Albany, State University of New York An atmospheric scientist explains how hail forms and what to do if you’re suddenly being pelted by giant ice chunks falling from the sky. Ethics + Religion - [Pope Francis may have surprised many by inviting comedians to the Vatican, but the value of humor has deep roots in Catholic tradition]( Joanne M. Pierce, College of the Holy Cross Catholic theologians and monastics have always encouraged humor, emphasizing its power to heal and bring cultures together. Arts + Culture - [How the surrealists used randomness as a catalyst for creative expression]( Mark Robert Rank, Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis A century ago, the French writer and poet André Breton penned his ‘Manifesto of Surrealism,’ launching an art movement known for creating bizarre hybrids of words and images. Trending on site - [Why do some planets have moons? A physics expert explains why Earth has only one moon while other planets have hundreds]( - [Lead water pipes created a health disaster in Flint, but replacing them with cheaper plastic − as some cities are doing − carries hidden costs]( - [Escalating Israel-Hezbollah clashes threaten to spark regional war and force US into conflict with Iran]( Today's graphic 📈 [A map of the United States with each state color-coded according to the number of lead water service lines. The Great Lakes states, Florida and the Northeast have some of the highest numbers of lead service lines, according to EPA estimates from 2023.]( From the story, [Lead water pipes created a health disaster in Flint, but replacing them with cheaper plastic − as some cities are doing − carries hidden costs]( - - More of The Conversation Like this newsletter? 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