The World's Best Book Summaries
What is the origin of the free market economy? Why do we place so much faith in markets? In his book What Money Can’t Buy, Michael Sandel traces the origins of the free-market economic system back to the 1980s. According to Sandel, we put so much faith in markets because we believe it’s the optimal way to distribute limited resources. Keep reading to learn about the rise of the free market.
What makes art an effective form of social commentary? How has art been used to assert social status? Sometimes art reflects the views of the artist and those who buy the art. That can make art a rather powerful medium. According to John Berger, the author of Ways of Seeing, the way we see art has historically been manipulated by a privileged minority to preserve their social and economic dominance. Keep reading to learn Berger’s view on how art has been co-opted for social purposes.
What is science literacy? Why might the future of the human race depend on the next generation of scientists? Science literacy is the understanding and knowledge of science. Before he passed, Stephen Hawking wrote that the survival of the human species will depend on future scientists because he believed the only way humans will avoid extinction is by colonizing space. Here’s why science literacy is so important—and how politics get in the way.
Are you the underdog? Do you feel out-gunned by the competition, whether in business or in life? When you first start out on any conquest, chances are that your enemies will have more resources than you. However, this isn’t necessarily a problem. Robert Greene points out that smaller armies are more mobile and easier to conceal. And, if you don’t seem large enough to pose a significant threat, your opponents might simply ignore you. Read more to learn about underdog advantages.
Why does Stephen Hawking consider artificial intelligence to be a form of life? How can humanity avoid a disaster like the one in I, Robot? According to Stephen Hawking, AI fulfills the two requirements to be considered living. Hawking warns that artificial intelligence may even become conscious one day, and if it does, it better be on the side of humanity rather than against it. Here’s more of what Hawking had to say about AI.
What’s the book Manufacturing Consent about? What are the main praises and criticisms of the book? In their 1988 book, Chomsky and Herman argue that the media and the news are indirectly censored, despite freedom of press and speech. They believe that the elite—the rich and the powerful—control what news gets published and what gets ignored. Here’s an overview of the book Manufacturing Consent.
What are the top Manufacturing Consent quotes? How can these passages change how you consume media? In the 1988 book Manufacturing Consent, Chomsky and Herman analyze how mainstream media is indirectly censored by societal elites. This book is even more relevant today with the increase in social media outlets and news sources. Here are some of Chomsky and Herman’s best quotes from the book.
Does the United States truly practice the freedom of the press? Who decides what gets published and what doesn’t? Despite the fact that the United States prides itself on having freedom of the press and freedom of speech, the authors of Manufacturing Consent argue that the elite class is censoring media. There are many ways they do this: using political power, limiting competition, pulling funding, etc. Learn why Chomsky and Herman believe the media is being indirectly censored.
Who decides what news makes it to the press and what doesn’t? How can news gatekeepers skew the public’s perception of affairs? In their book Manufacturing Consent, authors Chomsky and Herman believe that the elite control the news and media. By deciding what issues to focus on, they manipulate the beliefs of the general public. Here’s how media plays into the elite’s agenda.
Is there news censorship in America? What indirect censorship tactics do the elite use to influence big media outlets? Despite the supposed “freedom of the press,” the government and big corporations control what the general public sees in the news. They’re able to skirt censorship laws by using suppression and intimidation techniques. Here are the five most common tactics used to censor the media in America.