Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World

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Short Reads

Short-form data and analysis from Pew Research Center writers and social scientists. To view all our reports and publications, visit our main Publications page.

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  • short reads

    50 Cent Takes a Rap

    Only 17% of African Americans view gangsta rapper 50 Cent as a “good influence,” by far the lowest approval rating accorded any on a list of black newsmakers in a recent Pew survey.

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    African Americans View the Future

    Fewer than half of all African Americans (44%) now say they think life for blacks will get better in the future, down from the 57% who said so in a 1986 survey.

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    Gen Nexters Embrace Evolution

    That’s the number of 18-25 year olds who say that humans and other living things evolved over time; only 33% say all living creatures have existed in their present form since the beginning of time.

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    A Widening Hardship Gap

    The gap between the wealthiest and poorest people in affording basic items is much wider now than it was during the 1992 economic downturn; more than six-in-ten (62%) self-described “working class” people now say their incomes are falling behind the cost of living

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    US: Castro Was Bad for Cuba

    Fully two-thirds of Americans (66%) think that Fidel Castro, who resigned as president of Cuba this week, has been bad for his country.

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    Praying Every Day

    Six-in-ten Muslim Americans (61%) say they pray every day, somewhat fewer than the 70% of U.S. Christians who say they pray daily.

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    Lincoln’s Ranking Among U.S. Presidents

    That’s the score tallied by President Abraham Lincoln in a nationwide 2007 Gallup poll that asked respondents to name the “greatest United States president.” In Gallup’s 2005 survey on the issue, two recent presidents, Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton, outpolled the Civil War president who was born on February 12, 199 years ago.

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    Embarrassing Posting Problems

    Just 4% of all online adults say they have had bad experiences as a result of embarrassing or inaccurate personal information being posted on the internet.

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    Don’t Be My Valentine

    Valentine's DayOnly a tiny percentage (16%) of single American adults say they are actively seeking a romantic partner. Some 55% of singles report no active interest in seeking a romantic partner.

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    News Not Views

    Two-thirds of Americans (67%) say they prefer to get news with no particular point of view, while just 23% say they like getting news that reflects their political views.