Society Archives

Hidden Motives: Recognizing the Elephant in the Brain

How can you determine the true motives behind behaviors? How can you become less selfish and purer in your own motives? In The Elephant in the Brain, Kevin Simler and Robin Hanson argue that human behavior is driven by selfish motives hidden behind altruistic pretexts. They call these selfish motives the “elephant in the brain.” If we learn to recognize these “elephants,” we can improve our individual behaviors and our social institutions. Continue reading for some tips on recognizing hidden motives in yourself and others.

Racist Laws in America: The Echoes of Slavery

Is American law inherently racist? What does racism in law have to do with slavery? There are a number of racist laws in America—laws that do not just favor white people but are also unjust to Black People. This is largely due to persisting attitudes and beliefs from the era of slavery. In this article, we will discuss a few American laws and practices that fail to provide liberty and justice for Black Americans.

Systemic Changes: Examples That Address Stress

What are systemic changes? What are examples of systemic changes that will stop the attention crisis? Systemic changes are fundamental changes in a system (often education, government, etc.) that are necessary to make improvements. In Stolen Focus, Johann Hari suggests a systemic change to address people’s inability to focus. Keep reading for examples of systemic changes that are necessary to reduce stress and concentration issues.

Poor Parenting Skills: Here’s What Not to Do

Which parenting skills are potentially harmful to children? How does mainstream advice teach poor parenting skills? In Alfie Kohn’s book, Unconditional Parenting, he argues that mainstream parenting advice has several potentially damaging effects, even leading to poor self-esteem and depression in children. Kohn’s technique of unconditional parenting aims to make children feel more loved and accepted by their parents. Read on to find out why society may have taught you poor parenting skills and learn Kohn’s solution.

The Purpose of Religion in Society: Cementing Social Norms

Why do most religions have rules about marriage and sex? What difference does it make when religions have norms related to appearance? In The Elephant in the Brain, Kevin Simler and Robin Hanson argue that human behavior is driven by selfish motives hidden behind altruistic pretexts. The authors say that religion, too, is shaped by ulterior motives, and they share their theories about what they think religion is really about. Continue reading to find out more about the purpose of religion in society, according to Simler and Hanson.

The Colonization of the U.S.—How Slaves Built America

What role did slavery play in the colonization of the United States of America? Was America really built on the backs of the enslaved? According to Nikole Hannah-Jones, an American investigative journalist and the author of The 1619 Project, the mainstream story of the colonization of the U.S. is based on half-truths, hypocrisies, and inaccurate information. The American colonists didn’t succeed due to their hard work. The survival and prosperity of American colonists were almost entirely due to the labor of slaves. Here’s how slaves built America.

How Knowledge Overload Hurts Your Brain

What is knowledge overload? Is there too much information for our brains to handle? In Stolen Focus, Johann Hari identifies seven factors that are contributing to the attention crisis. The sixth factor is knowledge overload, which makes it difficult to focus long enough to process what we’re seeing and hearing. Keep reading to learn why too much information can actually be hurting you.

What Is the Main Purpose of Education in Society?

What is the main purpose of education in society? Does education have a hidden agenda? Do employers care more about your education or your degree? According to Kevin Simler and Robin Hanson, some institutions are about shaping society in a desired direction. They argue that education is about producing good citizens and employees, getting them accustomed to rules, schedules, and authority figures. Keep reading to learn more about this intriguing view of education’s purpose.

3 Consequences of Slavery in Modern America

How did slavery impact the development of America? What systems did the institution of slavery hit the most? The history of slavery and segregation in America has shaped modern systematic injustices. Specifically, the institution of slavery can be directly linked to modern injustices in America’s taxation system, legal and justice systems, and healthcare systems. Keep reading to learn about the consequences of slavery in modern America.

Social Positive Reinforcement: The Surprising Benefits

What are the benefits of social positive reinforcement in the brain? Why is it easier to achieve goals when you receive social positive reinforcement? According to Steven Kotler, the world’s elite performers are able to achieve seemingly impossible goals thanks to some surprising habits. Kotler’s book, The Art of Impossible, explores the neurobiology behind the success of elite performers and explains why social positive reinforcement is a primary building block for success. Read on to learn the surprising benefits of social positive reinforcement, according to Kotler.