What heroes have in common – and how you can, too

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Plus: Meet Mabel Stark, tiger trainer ahead of her time ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌
The Conversation

Welcome to the Saturday edition of The Conversation U.S.'s Daily newsletter.

In today's world, there are unfortunately more than enough situations where people might find themselves taking a personal risk for the common good. That's how psychologists generally define heroism: acting intentionally to help others, even at great personal cost.

But what does it actually take to be a hero?

Amherst College psychologist Catherine A. Sanderson digs into this question, explaining that research finds there are particular traits heroes are likely to share. They are comfortable taking risks, they're independent and feel in control, and they express concern for others.

But heroes aren't just born; they can be made. Sanderson walks through how circumstances and training can contribute to someone taking heroic action. If you feel a little wimpy when you hear of a regular person "jumping into a frozen pond to rescue a drowning child, leaping onto subway tracks to help someone who has fallen, or grabbing a gun from a shooter," don't worry, Sanderson writes. "Heroism occurs when ordinary people choose to step up in dangerous situations" – and you can work now to be prepared for what may come.

This week we also liked stories about AI and drone technology to detect land mines, a different way to measure poverty and inequality, and why some constellations move with the seasons, but not all.

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Maggie Villiger

Senior Science + Technology Editor
Do you have what it takes to be a hero in the moment? Klaus Vedfelt/DigitalVision via Getty Images

Are heroes born or made? Role models and training can prepare ordinary people to take heroic action

Catherine A. Sanderson, Amherst College

Heroes take a personal risk for the common good. Some people may just be born with the personality traits of a hero – but anyone can get ready to act heroically.
Mabel Stark tamed tigers – and even wrestled with them. Circus and Allied Arts Collection, Illinois State University's Special Collections, Milner Library

The inspiring and tragic story of Mabel Stark, America's most famous female tiger trainer

Alessandro Meregaglia, Boise State University

Long before Joe Exotic became Tiger King, Mabel Stark reigned as Tiger Queen.
A banner reading, 'Regrettably, Putin did not die today. We are waiting …' hangs in the City Garden of Odesa, Ukraine, on April 1, 2023. Viacheslav Onyshchenko/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images News

Front lines of humor: Dark humor voices Ukrainians' hopes for victory

Neringa Klumbytė, Miami University; Lithuanian Institute of History

Humor has served many functions since Russia's full-scale invasion, from providing Ukrainians with a sense of escape and hope to spreading news.

China's muted response over war in Iran reflects Beijing's delicate calculus as a concerned onlooker

John Calabrese, American University

Beijing has denounced US-Israeli action in Iran, but has not rushed to come to the aid of its regional ally.

Why are some stars always visible while others come and go with the seasons?

Vahe Peroomian, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences

From Earth spinning on its axis and orbiting the Sun to it precessing like a top, lots of factors affect which stars you can see in the sky.

Why are so many statues naked? An art historian explains this tradition's ancient roots

Anna Swartwood House, University of South Carolina

Nudity can express everything from innocence to sexual desire, from triumph to defeat.

2025 was hotter than it should have been – 5 influences and a dirty surprise offer clues to what's ahead

Michael Wysession, Washington University in St. Louis

Solar cycles, sea ice and rising electricity use all play a role. So does an unhealthy surprise that has been quietly hiding a large amount of global warming – until now.

The Conversation News Quiz 🧠

  • The Conversation U.S. weekly news quiz

    Fritz Holznagel, The Conversation

    Here's the first question of this week's edition:

    Shortly after the first bombs were dropped in the U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran on Feb. 28, President Donald Trump issued a video that included which four-word message for the people of Iran?

    1. A. "We come in peace"
    2. B. "Take over your government"
    3. C. "You've been very naughty"
    4. D. "Please like and subscribe"

    Test your knowledge