2015 Global Thinker Hanya Yanagihara and writer Meghan O'Rourke debate the limits of pain, empathy, and romance.

Why the ‘Five Stages of Grief’ Theory Is a Sham

2015 Global Thinker Chigozie Obioma and novelist Taiye Selasi discuss whether the narrative of nationhood is the greatest story ever told.

Does the World Really Need Nation-States?

2015 Global Thinker Marjan Minnesma and Gasland director Josh Fox debate the best—and perhaps only—way to spurn action on climate change: Terrify people.

The Green Movement and its Inconvenient Truths

From telenovelas to Sesame Street, 2013 Global Thinkers Noura al Kaabi and Saad Mohseni debate the importance of cultural imports in a localized entertainment industry.

How to Build a Media Industry from Scratch

2015 Global Thinker Tobias Zielony and writer Anna Badkhen debate how the West stereotypes—to dangerous effect—the Global South.

Why Migrants Can No Longer Be Considered Society’s “Fringe”

2015 Global Thinker Margot Wallström explains how she took on critics of her “feminist foreign policy"—and why gender equality is a matter of national security.

Sweden’s Foreign Minister Has No Time for Giggles

2015 Global Thinkers Zainab Ghadiyali, Erin Summers, and Nina Tandon debate the meaning—and reach—of diversity in the sciences.

From Gender Biases to Extreme Parenting: The Top Questions Women Working in STEM are Sick of Hearing

2013 Global Thinker Gulalai Ismail and 2015 Global Thinker Leslee Udwin debate whether the patriarchal mindset so pervasive in South Asia can be reprogrammed—or if women must persevere in a rape culture.

A Deadly Double Standard

2015 Global Thinker Fabrice Monteiro discusses how plastic-bag couture can teach a generation to respect its environment.

Can Models Dressed in Trash Save Dakar?

2011 Global Thinker Robert Zoellick and Jeffrey E. Garten discuss the future of emerging markets, gender equality, and the cyclical nature of globalization.

Are Women Still Disconnected From The Connected World?

2015 Global Thinkers Matthew Heineman and Johanna Schwartz discuss the challenges of making a film—and earning a subject’s trust—amidst guns, violence, and suspicion.

Making a War Zone Camera-Ready

2015 Global Thinkers Jim Obergefell and Andreja Pejic discuss divisions in the queer community and the scourge of P.C. culture

Does the LGBT Community Have a Trans Problem?

2015 Global Thinkers Ara Oshagan, Levon Parian, and Vahagn Thomasian discuss how the world hasn’t changed since the slaughter of their Armenian ancestors.

What a Genocide 100 Years Ago Reveals About the War in Syria Today

2015 Global Thinkers Robin Hammond and Adejoke Tugbiyele discuss how art can be used to upend the continent's tradition of LGBT persecution.

What the West Doesn’t Get About Coming Out in Africa

2015 Global Thinker Wai Wai Nu and Fortify Rights executive director Matthew Smith warn that democracy will mean little unless Muslims get a seat at the political table.

Is Myanmar Now Ruled by Tyranny of the Majority?

2015 Global Thinkers Abdalaziz Alhamza and Hussam Alissa, co-founders of Raqqa Is Being Slaughtered Silently, explain how they expose — and evade — atrocities in Syria.

Can the West Fight ISIS Without Forgetting About Assad?

2015 Global Thinkers Sonita Alizadeh and Helly Luv discuss how they’ve both used music to fight — against the Islamic State and against the institution of marriage.

Can Music Be an Effective Weapon?

2015 Global Thinker Chris Catrambone and 2011 Global Thinker Saskia Sassen discuss how Europe will benefit from the influx of migrants — if only it will let them in.

How Merkel Gets It Right With Refugees

2015 Global Thinkers Miguel Nicolelis and Anthony Zador discuss the importance of funding creative neuroscience experiments when — and especially when — the outcome is unknown.

Why Brain Scientists Should Fail

2015 Global Thinkers Shannon Schuyler and Amy-Willard Cross discuss the importance of supporting women in business —   and penalizing those who won’t.

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