All Perspectives
Difference MakerDarden Smith listens, strums a bit, then helps soldiers write their songSongwritingWith:Soldiers provides a healthy emotional outlet. The songs help others facing similar challenges and build a bridge between military service and civilian life.
How weeds could help feed billionsScientists in the US and elsewhere are conducting intensive experiments to cross hardy weeds with food crops such as rice and wheat 鈥� making them more resilient as drought, higher temperatures, and elevated CO2 levels pose new threats to food supplies.
In Kenya, solar lights are a homework helperSolar panels installed at schools in remote areas off the electric grid allow students to stay past dark and hit the books.
A different way to enjoy the World Cup: stay in a slumTravelers arriving in Rio de Janeiro for soccer's World Cup (June 12-July 13) can rent a room or apartment in the city's safe and vibrant favela (slum) communities.- Readers RespondReaders Write: A 鈥榯ransfer credit鈥� story; Loving your enemies is practical wisdomLetters to the Editor for the June 9, 2014 weekly magazine:With the benefit of hindsight, I鈥檓 grateful that none of my community college credits transferred to the four-year college I was enrolling at. There's another side to the story.Sally Kohn鈥檚 What I learned as a liberal talking head on Fox News' makes clear the practical wisdom on why every individual and nation should make an effort to love their so-called enemies.
New ways to make dirty water cleanTraditional desalination has meant turning seawater into drinking water. But new technologies not only improve desalination but open up ways to use agricultural water and industrial effluent too.
Difference MakerAmy Laura Cahn helps gardens blossom from weed-choked lots in PhiladelphiaShe advises residents on how to obtain title to a vacant property and defends grass-roots garden projects threatened by development.
These rock climbers prove a disability doesn鈥檛 define themThe Adaptive Climbing Group, rock climbers with physical or other issues, visits the Brooklyn Boulders gym in New York to train and overcome limitations.- Readers RespondReaders Write: Obama flouts Constitution; Opening conversational gambitsLetters to the Editor for the June 2, 2014 weekly magazine:President Obama鈥檚 past and contemplated use of executive power to waive deportations makes clear to me that he has violated his oath to uphold the Constitution.After reading Ruth Walker鈥檚 May 5 Verbal Energy column, 'Big ideas in small talk,' I had a chance to practice what I had learned on conversation starters.
Pakistan's 'Burka Avenger' uses books, pens to right wrongsA children's cartoon TV series, in which a female superhero dons a burka to fight injustice, has won a prestigious Peabody Award.
Difference MakerUrsula Cats puts the concept 'educate one, empower thousands' to workThe We Women Foundation provides women in Myanmar (formerly Burma) with access to higher education. The goal: become leaders in their communities.
Globetops gives old laptops a new home 鈥� and a new purposeBecky Morrison founded Globetops to send donated laptops to worthwhile applicants throughout the world. The computers change lives 鈥� and reduce the E-waste in landfills.
Elderly find a haven from abuse 鈥� and a sense of belongingA shelter in New York takes in the elderly who've experienced financial, psychological, or physical harm and provides medical care, counseling, and legal assistance.- Readers RespondReaders Write: GOP media has nice people with bad policies; US ignores ConstitutionLetters to the Editor for the May 26, 2014 weekly magazine:I don鈥檛 doubt that the people at Fox News all are beautiful human beings. I just don鈥檛 care for the way they seem to slant the truth to push an agenda or be controversial.I don鈥檛 think the differences in people鈥檚 political views should be characterized as Republican versus Democrat. I see the difference as being constitutionalists versus anarchists.聽
When Hezekiah Eibert put down roots he found a passion for helping othersThe oldest son in a military family, he had bounced around the globe. But he found a home 鈥� and a desire to serve others 鈥� in a college town in Indiana.
Keeping new empires at bayOne hundred years ago, the age of empire came crashing down. Seventy-five years ago, the age of ideology sparked the cataclysm of World War II. Today's world has its challenges, but the balance still tips in favor of freedom.
Girls Inc. helps girls 'be all that you can be'The nonprofit group Girls Inc. is celebrating 150 years of helping young women reach their goals.
Difference MakerMallika Dutt found help in her work to end violence against women. She recruited men.Breakthrough, the human rights organization she created, calls on people, particularly boys and men, to stop domestic violence wherever they see it.
3-D printed buildings emerge from recycled trashA Chinese company has built 10 structures in 24 hours using 3-D printing, concrete, and repurposed industrial construction waste.
How focusing on profit can help the poorWater technology company Xylem makes a profit on its foot-operated irrigation pumps for poor farmers. But those profits allow it to stay around to service its products and develop new ones.
