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.

AI Manipulation: Yuval Noah Harari on the Threat & Its Solution

A man with a surprised expression behind a laptop illustrates AI manipulation

Can AI algorithms really control what stories and ideas shape our beliefs? What happens when machines—not humans—become the primary creators and curators of our cultural narratives? In his book Nexus, Yuval Noah Harari explores how AI manipulation is fundamentally changing who controls public discourse. The shift from human editors to profit-driven AI systems marks a crucial turning point in how information spreads and shapes society. Keep reading to discover what this means for our future and the concrete steps we can take to protect ourselves from unchecked AI influence.

What Is Pleasure Activism? adrienne maree brown Explains

A man with dark hair and eyeglasses looking up with a wondering look illustrates the question, "What is pleasure activism?"

What does it mean to reclaim joy in the face of systemic oppression? How can pleasure become a tool for social change? What is pleasure activism? adrienne maree brown explores how marginalized communities can use joy as resistance against oppression. Drawing from Black feminist thought, science fiction, and community organizing, brown contends that pleasure is both a fundamental right and a powerful catalyst for social transformation. Keep reading to understand brown’s argument that prioritizing joy isn’t selfish—it’s revolutionary.

Unbound by Kasia Urbaniak: Book Overview & Takeaways

A woman reading a book in a chair

What if you could learn to consciously choose when to lead or follow in any interaction? What’s Kasia Urbaniak’s Unbound about? Kasia Urbaniak shares revolutionary insights about social influence in her groundbreaking book, Unbound. Urbaniak’s methods teach readers how to master the delicate dance of dominance and submission through the strategic use of attention and focus. Read more in our brief overview of Unbound.

Yuval Noah Harari: AI Dangers, Solutions, & the Real Risk

Yuval Noah Harari (AI thought leader) at the 2024 Frankfurt Book Fair

What’s really happening when AI systems choose the information we see online? How can we maintain control over technology that’s becoming better than humans at understanding our world? In his book Nexus, Yuval Noah Harari explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping our relationship with information. From social media algorithms to sophisticated language models, AI systems are increasingly determining what we read, watch, and believe. Read more to get Yuval Noah Harari’s AI insights and to better understand how to navigate this changing landscape.

The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis: The Myths & the Real Cause

A sad young adult looking at her phone, showing Gen Z's mental health crisis

Why do Gen Z have more mental health issues than other generations? Have societal challenges created a Gen Z mental health crisis? According to Abigail Shrier’s book Bad Therapy, young people’s mental health today differs from that of older generations. Generation Z (those born 1995-2012) struggle with mental health more than previous generations. Let’s debunk the myths behind the Gen Z mental health crisis to understand it better.

Break Free From Good Girl Syndrome With This Advice

A shy woman who has good girl syndrome

What’s “Good Girl” syndrome? How can women break free from societal norms that hold them back? Kasia Urbaniak’s book Unbound explores how pervasive societal norms influence behaviors associated with “Good Girl” syndrome, thereby limiting women’s potential and opportunities. Urbaniak confronts social conventions that encourage women to prioritize the needs of others, diminish their own needs, and suppress their aspirations. Find out how to stop being a people-pleaser and live life for yourself as a woman.

The Damaging Effects of Social Expectations for Women

A woman looking at a blue wall, frustrated by societal expectations of women

Why do social expectations for women end up hurting them? How can women find power beyond just being nice? In Unbound, Kasia Urbaniak posits that historically, women adopted behaviors such as politeness, agreeableness, and prioritizing others’ needs as tactics for navigating a male-dominated social structure. However, in the contemporary world, these tendencies often limit our ability to express our needs and achieve our highest potential. Learn more about how to confront expectations that prevent women from succeeding.

3 Damaging Examples of Classroom Accommodations

A teacher helping a student with their work as an example of classroom accommodations

Are classroom accommodations always a good thing? What’s restorative justice and how is it implemented in school? Schools have long provided special accommodations to help struggling students succeed. But in Bad Therapy, Abigail Shrier argues that schools now bend over backward to accommodate nearly every student request, a practice that undermines independence and academic performance. Discover examples of classroom accommodations that Shrier believes are harming students.