Suggested Readings: Syrian Deserters, Fight or Flight, Yoda’s Speech
Our pick of stories from around the web that bridge the gap between news and scholarship. Brought to you each Tuesday from the editors of JSTOR Daily.
How the Word “Shoddy” Became an Anti-Semitic Slur
Shoddy came to have anti-Semitic overtones during the American Civil War.
Gender Disparity and Book Reviews: the VIDA Count
The organization VIDA: Women in Literary Arts was launched in 2009 to document gender disparity in book reviews.
Margaret Sanger’s Eugenics Defense
Margaret Sanger's belief in eugenics stemmed from her interest in individual choice—an idea that brought birth control into the mainstream of American life.
Does Vocal Talent Translate into Album Sales?
The correlation between vocal talent and album sales is a telling indicator of what consumers want.
Kehinde Wiley: The Unlikely Star of the Hit Show “Empire”
Delve into the art and culture of Fox’s “Empire” through the monumental portrait paintings of Kehinde Wiley.
Do Laws Protect Abortion Clinics From Violence?
The research surveys whether state laws protecting abortion clinics have deterred pro-life activists from committing acts of violence.
The Threat of Solar Flares
Solar flares are highly unpredictable and difficult to anticipate. But their threat is very real.