Society Archives

Racial Categorization: People Aren’t Categories

What does “racial categorization” mean? Is it possible to fight the brain’s urge to categorize? What methods can you use to stop stereotypes from forming? Racial categorization is when you see a person of another race as a representative of that race, rather than as an individual. This inclination to categorize people comes from the brain’s need to sort information. However, this doesn’t mean that there aren’t ways to fight this urge to form stereotypes. Here is the psychology behind racial categorization and how to prevent it.

Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Fatima

Who was Fatima in Behind the Beautiful Forevers? What was Fatima’s role in the story and why did Fatima set herself on fire? Fatima in Behind the Beautiful Forevers was a mentally unstable woman who was mocked by the residents of Annawadi because of her deformed leg. In the book, Fatima set herself on fire to get back at the Husain family because they ignored her complaints about noise caused by the family’s renovations. Read on to discover how the actions of Fatima in Behind the Beautiful Forevers altered the lives of the Husain family.

Thomas Friedman: Rethinking Societal Morality

Is morality still relevant in today’s society? How does the current state of morality differ from the past? What were the main factors that brought about this change? According to Thomas Friedman, the author of Thank You for Being Late, the state of societal morality is changing fast as globalization and technological change are taking over the world. To keep up with these accelerations, we need to rethink morality by including ethics in education and building strong communities. In this article, we’ll discuss modern morality and what we can do to adapt our moral compass to the changes brought about

Causes of Bias: How It Spreads Through Generations

What are the causes of bias? In what ways does bias spread through parenting and the media? How can we try to put a stop to the spread of bias? In her book Biased, Dr. Jennifer Eberhardt explains that the two major causes of bias are through parenting and through media. Luckily, parental influence fades over time it’s possible for children to develop their own views. Continue reading to learn about the causes of bias and some steps that can be taken to slow the spread.

Inside Annawadi: A Spotlight on Life in Mumbai’s Slums

Is Annawadi from Behind the Beautiful Forevers a real place? What is life like in Annawadi? Annawadi is a slum adjacent to the Mumbai International Airport—it was created by the migrant workers that worked there during its construction. Life in the slum is a constant struggle for survival. Residents worked all sorts of odd jobs to make a living. Read on to learn more about the lives of the residents of Annawadi.

10 Tips for Responsible Technology Use

Do you feel you have control over your technology use? How do you manage to keep the never-ending stream of information through digital devices at bay? In the last 20 years, the world has undergone some major advancements in technology. While it’s exciting when new technology takes over the world, it’s important not to let it take over your mind because exposure to too much information has a negative effect on your well-being. In this article, we’ll share tips to embrace digital tools that make life easier while being selective and strategic enough to prevent feeling overwhelmed.

How to Adapt U.S. Domestic Politics to Modern Times

What are the main challenges with the current state of U.S. domestic politics? How can the U.S. adapt its systems to keep up with the times? According to Thomas Friedman, the author of Thank You for Being Late, U.S. domestic politics is currently experiencing political upheaval because the present political system was developed in slower times. As a result, it can’t keep up with the three accelerations taking place in the world: 1) technology, 2) climate change, and 3) globalization. In this article, we’ll discuss the current state of American domestic politics and what we could do to make it

Tim Harford: Is Globalization Good for the Economy?

Is globalization good for the world’s economies? What are the main arguments that maintain that globalization is bad? The debate as to whether globalization is good for the global economy is not a simple one—there are many factors to take into account. Principles of comparative advantage highlight the positives of globalization. But globalization still has its skeptics. Mostly, skeptics focus on the arguments that globalization is bad for the planet and for the poor. In this article, we’ll discuss how globalization has changed the way economies function and consider two arguments against globalization: the planet argument and the poor argument.

Scientific Bias: History and Consequences

How did generations past use science to “prove” that some races were better than others? What were the three phases of scientific bias? What lasting impacts did racial pseudoscience have on society? In her book Biased, Dr. Jennifer Eberhardt discusses the three phases of historical scientific bias: human hierarchies, polygenesis, and evolutionary IQ. In the past, biased scientists would use pseudoscience and lies to justify inhumane acts such as slavery. Unfortunately, although disproved, many of the ideas are still deeply ingrained in society. Continue reading to learn about the dark history of scientific bias.

Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Manju the Teacher

Who is Manju in Behind the Beautiful Forevers? Is Manju a morally upright person and what is her role in the story? Manju is the daughter of Asha—the slumlord of Annawadi; she was a college student who dedicated two hours a day to teach at Annawadi’s only school. Manju in Behind the Beautiful Forevers is a kind and morally upright person who took pride in her work as a teacher. Read more to discover why Manju in Behind the Beautiful Forevers is very different from her corrupt and ruthless mother.