As Election Day 2012 approached, the public and the news media prepared for a close election in which small numbers of votes in specific swing states may be decisive in the outcome. Legal battles may be a crucial part of resolving voting discrepancies in these key regions.

While Twitter is wildly popular, too many journalists still don’t understand it.

Some are critical without ever trying it out. Others tried it when it first started out, found it lacking and never went back. Some look at folks who advocate Twitter’s use as time-wasters who are somehow less serious about their work.

From The Conversation, written by Vincent F. Hendricks, University of Copenhagen

In the age of information, we no longer need to leave the house to shape democracy. We’re heading towards a world in which the traditional sites of protest are sitting alongside online forums, which are becoming an extremely powerful democratic tool.

According to the 2010 Census, the most widely practiced participatory athletic activity in the United States is walking; other popular options include swimming (third most practiced), camping (fourth), bicycling (sixth) and fishing (seventh). All exercise has a wide range of benefits — it improves health, is a great way to socialize, and can reduce stress.