+ supercharged cognitive warfare
| | | | For many, the summer holidays mean one thing: countless hours spent lounging outdoors in a state of semi-undress, often accompanied by a raft of insecurities about how our bodies look. As social media amplifies these aesthetic pressures, more and more people are turning to drastic quick-fix diets that promise to shift unwanted weight. The health consequences can be dire. On the more extreme end of the dieting spectrum is the "mono diet": eating only one type of food for a determined period of time. Popular choices include watermelon, peach, artichoke or rice, but as nutrition specialist Ana Montero Bravo points out, it doesn't really matter – eating just one food is never good for our physical or mental health, as it can lead to nutrient deficiencies and exacerbate eating disorders. Plus, it doesn't even work in the long term. Online misinformation doesn't just push people towards dangerous diets – it can also be a weapon of war. The art of "cognitive warfare" dates back to Sun Tzu, but technology has opened up new frontiers for spreading propaganda and untruths. Unlike bombs and bullets, the subtle, malicious shaping of public opinion leaves no physical scars, but it can have very real consequences all the same. Researchers at Lund University lay out some stark examples, and outline how our laws urgently need to adapt to meet this not-so-new threat. And it's crunch time for plastic pollution. Representatives are gearing up for a "once in a generation" summit in Geneva in August which could lead to a global treaty on plastics. But if last year's inconclusive summit in South Korea was anything to go by, scores of industry lobbyists will be trying to prevent it every step of the way. |  | Alex Minshall Editor, Valencia | |  Ana Montero Bravo, Universidad CEU San Pablo Restrictive diets of rice, pineapple or artichoke can cause sudden weight loss – but they aren't healthy. |  David Gisselsson Nord, Lund University; Alberto Rinaldi, Lund University When a foreign power floods your media with false health alerts designed to create panic, isn't that as threatening as a military blockade? | | |  Winnie Courtene-Jones, Bangor University The talks in Geneva may be the world's last chance to agree a strong treaty to tackle plastic pollution, scientists warn. | |  Deniz Torcu, IE University Anti-immigration rhetoric is on the rise, but migrants often contribute more to the economy than native-born workers. |  Majdi Faleh, Nottingham Trent University; Mehdi Elouati, École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (EHESS); Nourchen Ben Fatma, Université de Carthage A large portion of Djerba's cultural heritage has been erased by sea-level rise and human neglect. | |  José Manuel Cabrero, Universidad de Navarra; Rayder Willian Leonardo Laura, Universidad de Navarra Construction waste can be turned into valuable new materials. | | | | |  Mira Manini Tiwari, European University Institute Regulations on sustainability reporting must be crafted with stakeholders across value chains to minimise harm to vulnerable communities. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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