Society Archives

A History of Social Justice: How It Ended Up as Critical Theories

What’s the history of social justice ideology and approaches? How have the goals and methods changed over time? Past movements for equality used to fight for concrete issues. Helen Pluckrose and James Lindsay contend that contemporary activists and scholars are now more concerned with policing language and culture, shutting down rational debate, and challenging the very foundations of liberal society. Read on to understand how this incredible transformation came about.

Do Boycotts Work? A Look at Cancel Culture in the US

What’s behind the recent rise in boycotts in the US? Do boycotts work? Is there such a thing as too many boycotts? Boycotts are on the rise in the US, but experts say they’re not leading to the change that Americans participating in them hope to see. Experts say the growing ubiquity of boycotts could reduce their effectiveness in the future, as constant controversy associated with them causes Americans to tune out. Keep reading to learn about the most recent boycotts in the US and whether or not they’re working.

The Anti-Science Stances of the Social Justice Movement

Are gender and sexuality cultural or biological? Is fatness unhealthy, or is that just a cultural narrative? In Cynical Theories, Helen Pluckrose and James Lindsay contend that social justice scholarship and activism changed from a force for good to a dangerous movement. One of the ways in which it’s a threat, they say, is the movement’s rejection of science in order to advance its agenda. Keep reading to learn about the anti-science positions of the Social Justice Movement.

Are Men Getting Weaker? Stefan Aarnio Thinks So

Are men getting weaker? How has the widespread approval of feminism weakened masculine values? According to Hard Times Create Strong Men by Stefan Aarnio, something tragic is happening to Western men. Aarnio believes that Western men are growing weak and abandoning traditional values. Keep reading to learn if what Aarnio says is true.

The Anti-Free Speech Approach of the Social Justice Movement

Do you feel like social justice advocacy has gone too far? Does it seem like you have to constantly watch what you say? The authors of Cynical Theories explain how this came to be. While past movements for equality used to fight for concrete issues, Helen Pluckrose and James Lindsay claim that contemporary activists and scholars are more concerned with policing language and culture and shutting down rational debate. Continue reading to learn about the anti-free speech approach of the Social Justice Movement.

The Benefits of Psychedelics for Individuals and Society

What are some unexpected benefits of psychedelics? How do psychedelics contribute to humans’ cognitive and spiritual evolution? In How to Change Your Mind, Michael Pollan explains that psychedelics have important social and cultural implications for human society. Psychedelics may have even helped early hominids evolve into the self-aware homo sapiens we are today. Check out how these substances could help get us out of some of our modern messes.

California Black Reparations: Overdue or Unnecessary?

What is California’s Black reparations proposal all about? How does it compare to past reparations attempts? What does the public think? A task force in California has approved a proposal seeking reparations for Black residents for generations of harm due to the legacy of slavery. This prompted a lot of different responses including approval, confusion, and some have even called it a “scam.” Here we’ll discuss that proposal within the context of the national conversation around reparations.

Abandon Ideology: Beyond Order Rule 6 (Jordan Peterson)

What, exactly, is an ideology? What are its limitations? How can people find meaning and direction without them? According to Jordan Peterson, ideology should be dropped. In Beyond Order, he discusses the pitfalls of ideology and recommends an alternative path toward civil society and personal fulfillment. Read more to learn why Peterson urges us to abandon ideology.

The Problems With Communism and Islam in the West

What would happen if communism and Islam took over the West? Are they on the verge of destroying Western society? In Stefan Aarino’s book Hard Times Create Strong Men, he claims that communism and Islam are spreading to the US and that they will destroy American values. This is because modern Christian men are becoming too tolerant and will be pushed aside. Keep reading to learn about the problems with communism and Islam, according to Aarnio.

The Importance of Liberalism: It Just Might Save Society

Does it seem like society is falling apart? What’s the answer to the cultural decay all around us? Social justice scholarship and activism changed from a force for good to a dangerous movement with totalitarian tendencies. That’s the view of Helen Pluckrose and James Lindsay, who say that the tenets of liberalism—namely freedom of speech and belief in science—matter more today than they ever did. Read more to learn about the importance of liberalism in society, especially now when so much is at risk.