The debate unfolds between groups with different points of reference. By Conor Friedersdorf. Illustration by The Atlantic. April 21, 2023. Share. Save. Welcome to Up for Debate.

New research concludes novel ideas tend to generate conflicting evaluations because people lack common points of reference from which to judge them. Such mixed reviews lead to negative perceptions ...

VATICAN CITY (CNS)—When Pope Francis gave his first full-length interview after his election in 2013, he was asked about the importance of the church providing solid points of reference in a ...

Compasses have provided a constant point of reference for humans for over 800 years, enabling us to successfully navigate to the far reaches of the planet. But our species has started to journey ...

As depicted in the film “Conclave,” the dean plays an important role in the life of the Catholic hierarchy, a point of reference for his fellow cardinals and a crucial figure during the ...

A fixed point of reference is something that is consistent and does not change. One example is the North Star. Even centuries ago, sailors would use an instrument called a sextant and as long as they ...