Differences divide us. Human society fractures along lines
defined by politics, religion, ethnicity, and perhaps most fundamentally,
language. Although these differences contribute to the great variety of human
lives, the partitions they create can lead to conflict and strife, impeding
efforts toward social justice and economic development.
David Meyer, professor of mathematics at the University of
California, San Diego, has been developing new ways of understanding how
characteristics like ethnicity and religion coincide to define communities and
ultimately influence our actions.