Medical and Social Models of Disability: Which Is Better?

A handicap parking space illustrates the difference between the medical and social models of disability

What’s the difference between viewing disability as a medical issue versus a social construct? How can changing our perspective on disability create a more inclusive world? In Unmasking Autism, Devon Price explores the medical and social models of disability, revealing how our understanding of conditions such as Autism shapes societal responses and individual experiences. The contrast between these approaches highlights the difference between seeking “cures” and creating genuine accommodation. Keep reading to learn about the medical and social models of disability and why shifting our perspective could transform lives.

Irresistible by Adam Alter: Book Overview and Takeaways

A man reading a book on his desk with his laptop open

Are you spending too much time on your devices? What’s Irresistible by Adam Alter about? In Irresistible, Adam Alter discusses the rise of technology addiction and how you can identify it. To counteract this, he suggests several techniques for combating technology addiction and fostering a healthier relationship with digital devices. Read below for a brief overview of Irresistible.

Daniel Dennett: Memes Are Units of Cultural Transmission

A vintage image of a man singing the blues in a club illustrates cultural memes and memetic evolution

What drives the evolution of human culture? How do ideas spread and transform across generations? According to Daniel Dennett, memes are the cultural equivalent of genes. Like genes in biological evolution, memes are units of culture that replicate, mutate, and compete for survival in the realm of human ideas and behaviors. Continue reading to explore how memetic evolution shapes our societies, from the evolution of music genres to the development of scientific knowledge.

The Impact of Evolution on Society: Daniel Dennett’s Take

A bearded man with eyeglasses looking up at the stars over the mountains illustrates the impact of evolution on society

What role has evolution played in reshaping our understanding of purpose and meaning? How has Darwin’s theory transformed our view of human existence? From challenging religious beliefs to redefining our place in the universe, evolutionary theory has revolutionized human thought. The concept extends far beyond biology, touching everything from philosophy to our understanding of time and consciousness. Keep reading to get Daniel Dennett’s take on the impact of evolution on society from his book Darwin’s Dangerous Idea.

The Importance of Seeing People as Individuals vs. People

A man walking alone beside a crowd, representing individuals vs. people

Why do people deserve to be seen as individuals? How can you stop relying on stereotypes to judge someone? David Brooks claims that to really know another person, you first have to see them as an individual. Unlike a collective group of people, individuals have a unique set of life experiences, characteristics, motivations, and goals. Here’s why you should start looking at people as individuals vs. people you can’t tell apart.

Gabor Maté’s The Myth of Normal: Book Overview

A woman sitting on a floral couch and reading a book

What does it mean to be “normal”? What role does trauma play in your health? What is the biopsychosocial model of health? In The Myth of Normal, physician and trauma expert Gabor Maté writes that much of what society labels as abnormal behavior, mental illness, or dysfunction actually represents normal responses to adverse life experiences. He advocates a trauma-informed perspective that addresses the root psychological and social causes of what we label as illness. Continue reading for an overview of Gabor Maté’s The Myth of Normal.

Everyone Has Value: Here’s How to Remind Them

Three people showing that everyone has value, wearing gold medals

Does everyone have value? How can you recognize someone’s worth to make them feel loved? To get to know someone deeply, you must recognize each person’s great worth as a human being. David Brooks emphasizes that this is crucial even when you’ve just met a person or expect to never see them again. Take a look at how you should remind someone that they’re worthy.

Why There Is No Such Thing as Normal or Abnormal (Maté)

A group of people sit on the floor, one person is separated from the rest, accentuating that there is no such thing as normal.

How do societal norms perpetuate unhealthy standards? Where do “abnormal” behaviors stem from? Are the mind and body one? In The Myth of Normal, physician and trauma expert Gabor Maté says that there is no such thing as normal when it comes to health and behaviors. Maté argues that the biomedical model fails to understand health holistically. Here’s why “abnormal” behaviors are actually normal responses to one’s environment.

Why We Should All Try to Understand Different Perspectives

Two men talking to each other in a city, both understanding different perspectives

Why do politics divide people? How much of an effort should you make to understand someone’s life story? If you truly want to get to know someone, you have to stop assuming they come from a similar background as you. David Brooks considers it vital to learn to look at others and appreciate the depth and merit of their perspective. Keep reading to learn more about why understanding different perspectives is important.

How Social Conditions Hardwire Us for Disease and Trauma

A woman standing in a busy city with her hands on her face looking stressed, showing how social conditions can affect you

What role does society play in trauma? What social conditions can harm your physical and mental health? In his book The Myth of Normal, Gabor Maté describes how certain deeply ingrained structures in Western society like racism, misogyny, and capitalism instill and reinforce trauma. These factors don’t just shape our societies—they have tangible, harmful effects on our physical and mental health.  Here’s a look at the role that society can play in trauma.