Cass Sunstein’s Sludge: What Stops Us From Getting Things Done

A drawing of impatient man waiting in line and looking at his watch while several people behind him are also waiting

Cass Sunstein’s Sludge: What Stops Us From Getting Things Done and What to Do About It identifies the bureaucratic friction, endless paperwork, and grueling wait times that prevent us from accessing what we need. Sunstein argues that this “sludge” is a pervasive tax on our time and dignity that undermines what he deems to be fundamental rights and disproportionately impacts those already stretched thin. Continue reading to understand the psychological and economic toll of administrative burdens and to learn Sunstein’s roadmap for streamlining systems to improve lives without sacrificing essential protections.

Niall Ferguson’s Doom: The Politics of Catastrophe (Overview)

Government officials and disaster relief personnel talking at the site of a flood

When disaster strikes, we often blame bad luck. But Niall Ferguson’s Doom: The Politics of Catastrophe contends that we’re missing the real story. Catastrophes reflect how our societies are wired—the networks, institutions, and systems that connect us. Continue reading for our overview of the book, and discover why some crises spiral out of control while others don’t.

Leor Zmigrod’s The Ideological Brain: Book Overview

An illustration of a person's brain with colorful light particles emanating from it

What makes some people fall for extreme ideologies while others remain open-minded? The answer might be hiding in our brain structure and thinking patterns. A Cambridge neuroscientist has discovered surprising connections between our neural wiring and our political beliefs. Leor Zmigrod’s The Ideological Brain: The Radical Science of Flexible Thinking shows that ideology isn’t just about the ideas we choose; it’s about how our brains are built to think. Some minds are naturally rigid, while others stay flexible and adapt to new evidence. Read on to discover how ideology rewires your brain—and what you can do to protect yourself from

Abundance—Book Overview (Ezra Klein & Derek Thompson)

Journalist Ezra Klein standing in front of a door wearing a formal shirt and tie

Where do America’s biggest problems stem from? What if America could create a world of plentiful resources? In their book Abundance, journalists Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson argue that excessive bureaucracy and regulatory barriers are creating manufactured scarcity in housing, energy, and innovation. Their solution: a new “abundance agenda” that removes obstacles to building while maintaining important protections. Continue reading for an overview of Abundance.

Bonding and Bridging Social Capital: Robert Putnam Explains

A variety of people chatting at a gathering illustrates bonding and bridging social capital

Does social cohesion really lead to closed-minded groups that exclude outsiders? Can strong community bonds actually foster greater tolerance rather than less? In Bowling Alone, Robert Putnam challenges common assumptions about community connections. He distinguishes between bonding and bridging social capital, showing how these different types of connections shape our society. Read on to discover how our connections with both similar and different people influence so much.

How Much Alcohol Is Okay? The Answer: None. Here’s Why

A woman's hand holding a glass of white wine at a dinner table brings up the question, "how much alcohol is okay?"

Is there scientific evidence linking alcohol to cancer? Why aren’t there cancer warnings on alcohol bottles? How much alcohol is okay to drink? In January the US Surgeon General issued a report calling for cancer warnings on every beer, wine, and liquor bottle sold in America. Despite many myths that have circulated for decades, even light drinking can pose serious health risks. Here’s why you can’t trust drinking guidelines around alcohol.

What’s the Federal Return to Office Mandate Really About?

Donald Trump's testimony as he speaks on stage into a microphone.

Will Trump’s mandate strengthen private sector companies’ push to end remote work? What practical obstacles make strict RTO policies difficult to implement? In January, President Trump signed an executive order requiring 2.3 million federal workers to return to the office full-time. The move strengthens corporate America’s push to end remote work—but implementation challenges and worker resistance suggest the battle is far from over. Continue reading to learn more about the federal return to office mandate.

Pleasure Activism Quotes by adrienne maree brown (+ Context)

A woman holding an open book in an aisle of a library illustrates Pleasure Activism quotes from the book

What does pleasure have to do with social justice? How can finding joy transform activism from draining to sustaining? In her book Pleasure Activism, adrienne maree brown explores how embracing pleasure can revolutionize social justice work. She argues that joy and satisfaction are not just personal indulgences—they’re essential tools for creating lasting change. Continue reading for several Pleasure Activism quotes that shed light on brown’s ideas about pleasure, boundaries, relationships, and the path to sustainable activism.

Pleasure Activism: The Politics of Feeling Good (brown)—Overview

A sketch of a woman reading a book while sitting at a desk in a home office

What does genuine pleasure have to do with social justice work? How can joy and fulfillment become catalysts for lasting change? adrienne maree brown’s book Pleasure Activism: The Politics of Feeling Good asserts reclaiming our right to experience pleasure can lead to personal healing and collective liberation. If marginalized communities embrace joy as resistance, they challenge the systems designed to deny them satisfaction and wholeness. Read on to discover how pleasure can revolutionize your approach to activism and social change.

Social Justice Work Reimagined: Pleasure Activism in Action

A smiling woman in a crowd during a demonstration illustrates social justice work combined with pleasure activism

What if social justice work could be energizing instead of draining? How can activists create movements that prioritize both justice and joy? In her book Pleasure Activism, adrienne maree brown presents a fresh approach to social justice work by centering joy and satisfaction. Her framework shows how individuals, communities, and organizations can transform their activism into a sustainable, fulfilling practice that nourishes everyone involved. Read on to discover practical ways to infuse more pleasure into your social justice work while making a lasting impact.