Opinion : NPR

A Mexican attempt to curb bribery among traffic cops turns on the belief that women are less likely to take illicit payments from drivers. A new study suggests that this approach can work, under the right circumstances. iStockphoto.com hide caption

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13.7: Cosmos And Culture

Are Women Less Corrupt Than Men?

September 30, 2013 • A new study finds that context determines whether women are more or less likely to succumb to bribery. Commentator Tania Lombrozo looks at the research and wonders what it says about a Mexican experiment aiming to reduce corruption among traffic cops.

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Bob Englehart

NPR Double Take

Double Take 'Toons: Whiching Hour?

September 30, 2013 • The federal government may partially shut down at midnight unless the House and Senate can reach a compromise on the health care law and the budget. Nick Anderson thinks the GOP has been riding the same horse for too long, while Bob Englehart questions the president's unwillingness to make changes to Obamacare.

How Does The World Work: Top-Down or Bottom-Up?

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13.7: Cosmos And Culture

How Does The World Work: Top-Down or Bottom-Up?

September 29, 2013 • Can everything that happens in the universe (like the working of your mind) be understood merely as an expression of interactions at the level of elementary particles? Astrophysicist Adam Frank doesn't think so. He's skeptical of reductionism and takes heart from a new theory that sees cause-and-effect flowing both ways.

Cartoonist Group / Washington Post Writers Group Clay Bennett hide caption

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Clay Bennett

NPR Double Take

Double Take 'Toons: Is It Warm In Here?

September 29, 2013 • A U.N.-assembled panel of scientists says it "is clear" that human activity is the dominant cause of climate change. Clay Bennet finds this a worrying problem, while Rick McKee sees some problematic worriers.

Simon Says

Dr. Seuss Suited For The Senate; Shakespeare, Not So Much

September 28, 2013 • Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas held the Senate floor for 21 hours, and during that time, he read from Green Eggs and Ham. NPR's Scott Simon reflects on the quotes and texts politicians turn to, and the ones they avoid.

Dr. Seuss Suited For The Senate; Shakespeare, Not So Much

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Mike Peters

NPR Double Take

Double Take 'Toons: Ted Talks?

September 28, 2013 • The Senate passed a budget bill despite Ted Cruz's 21-hour talkathon in which he urged fellow Republicans to block any measure that doesn't derail Obamacare. Mike Peters thinks Cruz has egg on his face, while Eric Allie suggests it's Democrats who are being foolish.

Why Science And Values Can't Be Untangled

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13.7: Cosmos And Culture

Why Science And Values Can't Be Untangled

September 27, 2013 • How can we think we've made sense of the world if we can't make sense of the role of values in it? Commentator and philosopher Alva Noë says this is one of the fundamental problems of our time and starts in on it by trying to tease out the intimate relationship between science and values.

Double Take 'Toons: Not Worth A Plugged Nickel?

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Eric Allie

NPR Double Take

Double Take 'Toons: Not Worth A Plugged Nickel?

September 27, 2013 • September 2008 marked the beginning of the darkest days of the worst financial calamity to hit the U.S. since the Great Depression. Jen Sorensen caters a fifth-anniversary party, while Eric Allie doubts America has found the cure for its still sluggish economy.

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13.7: Cosmos And Culture

We Are All Part-Time Vegans Now

September 26, 2013 • Food writer Mark Bittman is advocating what he calls part-time veganism, selling it as good for you, good for animals and good for the Earth. Commentator, and admitted pescatarian, Barbara King cottons to his cause and wishes everyone a bountiful autumn.

Double Take 'Toons: Iran Warming, Or Warning?

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Nate Beeler

NPR Double Take

Double Take 'Toons: Iran Warming, Or Warning?

September 26, 2013 • During his U.N. charm offensive, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani raised the possibility of nuclear negotiations, though a much-talked-about meeting with President Obama did not happen. Lee Judge thinks Rouhani's moderate remarks could inspire U.S. politicians, while Nate Beeler doubts Iran's overtures are honest or peaceable.

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13.7: Cosmos And Culture

Lessons From Beyond The Heliopause

September 25, 2013 • How far can humans go? Farther than we know. That's one of the lessons we can learn from the Voyager spacecraft, says physicist Marcelo Gleiser. He sees these missions as the embodiment of our hope that we are not alone in the universe, that there may be other beings out there who embrace life and beauty.

Double Take 'Toons: Cruz In For A Bruisin'?

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Chip Bok

NPR Double Take

Double Take 'Toons: Cruz In For A Bruisin'?

September 25, 2013 • As the House's "Defund Obamacare" continuing resolution comes before the Senate, Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas has promised to do all he can to pass it. Jake Fuller observes that Cruz's stand has earned him enemies on both sides of the aisle, while Chip Bok accuses President Obama of being equally strident.

Head Games: NFL Should Share Records About Concussions

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Sweetness And Light

Head Games: NFL Should Share Records About Concussions

September 25, 2013 • The settlement with former players, who were suing the league for not bearing responsibility for the damage done by head injuries, included the provision that the NFL would not have to make public its internal documents about traumatic brain injuries. Frank Deford says the league owes kids that information.

Head Games: NFL Should Share Records About Concussions

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