But as Dr Shane is at pains to stress, researchers like him are by no means genetic fatalists.

ECONOMIST: The biology of business

But at least this much can be said: there are enough examples of Muslims and non-Muslims learning to rub along, through the trade-offs of local politics, to disprove the fatalists.

ECONOMIST: Muslims and city politics

But as with any challenge, the outcome is in the response: we as individuals can choose to join the doomsayers, passive bystanders, and despondent fatalists in the comfort of collective complaining, or we can choose to abandon mediocrity, see the silver lining, and act upon the opportunity to build a better future.

WHITEHOUSE: Champions of Change Blog