All Perspectives
Readers RespondReaders write: Reader appreciation for Ruth Walker, Cassini coverageLetters to the editor for the Oct. 16, 2017 weekly magazine.
Readers RespondReaders response: Is meaningful gun control an impossibility?We posed that question to our readers last week, after a mass shooting in Las Vegas that killed 58 people and wounded more than 500.
Difference MakerWhen buildings crumble, these rescue 'moles' tunnel in to survivorsPola D铆az Moffitt first pitched in to search-and-rescue efforts after Mexico City's 1985 earthquake, 32 years to the day before last month's temblor. She's been helping 'topos' groups find people trapped by disasters ever since.
A train station run entirely by volunteers 鈥� many well over 60 years oldKen Lyons, in his 90s, has been one of the volunteers at Centennial Station in Washington State. He鈥檚 an example of how many seniors keep making a difference in their communities after their official retirement date.
Points of ProgressUS poverty rate points downwardThe national poverty rate declined to 12.7 percent in 2016. Increases of minimum wages at the state and local levels have had a direct effect on poverty rates across the United States.
Why we must be globalKnowing about what is going on in Japan or Mexico makes us better global citizens, but it can show us the universality of the human spirit. It can offer potent evidence that 鈥渢he family of man鈥� is not a shallow aphorism but something much deeper and more resonant for human progress.聽
Readers RespondReaders write: Fighting hate in Idaho, all-hands response to hurricane, left a piece of her heart in St. JohnLetters to the editor for the Oct. 9, 2017 weekly magazine.
One woman who鈥檚 easing the language barrier for immigrantsAnh Nguyet Tranh, herself an immigrant from South Vietnam, founded a business in Michigan that employs some 250 interpreters and translators and can translate documents in 30 different languages.
Progress WatchConservation success: Buoyed hopes for sea turtlesAfter half a century of conservation efforts, scientists are seeing long-term growth in some populations聽of the globe鈥檚 seven species of sea turtles.
Using outer space to help cool buildings on EarthUsing a phenomenon known as radiative sky cooling, a team of Stanford researchers has developed rooftop panels that could be used to passively cool buildings.
On the train, a moment of graceBetween two people who in all likelihood had wildly different views of what is good for America, there was a moment of grace and humility.聽
Readers RespondReaders write: Growing trend with 鈥榮mall living,鈥� gentle exposure of hatred, humorous authorLetters to the editor for the Oct. 2, 2017 weekly magazine.
Difference MakerIn Milwaukee, an effort to link inner-city workers with jobs outside the cityPastor Jerome Smith Sr. runs the Joseph Project, which not only helps urban residents find work but also operates a van service to get them there. The initiative has become a conservative favorite.
Points of ProgressLand-mine casualties show signs of global declineTwo decades after a landmark treaty, and despite an overall increase due largely to Syria鈥檚 civil war, the majority of affected countries recorded fewer deaths linked to land mines and cluster munitions.
Sacrificing self in service to the worldNadia聽Murad鈥檚 story is one of sacrifice in its purest and most powerful form 鈥� an immolation of self for the good of others. In telling her story, she is not only saving the Yazidis she loves, but also a world that must hear what she says and be broken of any sense of indolence about evil.聽
Readers RespondReaders write: The work of downsizing, evidence of climate change, hopeful coverage on famineLetters to the editor for the Sept. 25, 2017 weekly magazine.
Difference MakerThe story behind DC Diaper Bank, a resource for parentsEight years ago, when Corinne Cannon had her first child, she was surprised at just how hard parenting can be.
Giving action to empathyThe gravitation of trends in communication, culture, and transportation 鈥� all drawing us closer together 鈥� is irreversible.聽This calls for heaping bushels of empathy.聽
Readers RespondReaders write: Overcoming fear, keeping treasures, county fair valuesLetters to the editor for the Sept. 18, 2017 weekly magazine.
Points of ProgressUS homelessness is on the declineAs a result of bipartisan, "teams effort" across a number of US cities the numbers of homeless veterans declined 50 percent over the past decade, the sharpest fall among homeless populations.聽
