The World's Best Book Summaries
In what ways are we all hypocrites? What methods do we use to delude ourselves of this truth? It’s easy to point out the hypocrisy of others, but it’s harder to admit that we’re all hypocrites. In The Happiness Hypothesis, it states that we all delude ourselves into thinking that we contribute more than we do and we discredit the contributions of others. Continue reading to learn more about the psychology of hypocrisy.
Why is depression on the rise? What does depression have to do with evolution and social standings? According to Darwinian Medicine, depression has functions in social standing. Low serotonin levels help mediate hierarchies in a social structure and maintain peace. However, today’s society is much different than the Stone Ages and depression is on the rise. Continue reading for more information on why depression is on the rise, according to evolutionary scientists.
What is tone policing and how does it relate to racism? What unconscious assumptions about race does tone policing reveal? Tone policing is a series of strategies that turn the focus of a discussion from what someone is saying to how they’re saying it. In the context of racism, tone policing is actually a form of microaggression because silencing someone implies that they don’t have the right to be heard. Read about tone policing and how it relates to and perpetuates racism.
What do you think should be the main goals of humanity, going forward? Do you think we will one day be able to eradicate disease, death, and scarcity? What will humanity strive for, if or when survival is no longer a concern? In his book Homo Deus, Yuval Noah Harari envisions humanity shifting to the next phase of human evolution—the era of Homo Deus. In this era, survival is no longer a concern in most parts of the world. Consequently, humanity will look towards higher goals of immortality, happiness, and divinity. Keep reading to learn about the projected future of
What does the phrase “survival of the fittest” actually mean? How does natural selection happen? In the phrase “survival of the fittest,” the “fittest” actually refers to reproductive capabilities. Darwinian evolution says that evolution will favor the genes that allow the individual to produce the most viable offspring. Continue reading for more information about how natural selection works.
What does it mean to check your privilege? And how exactly do you go about doing that? You may have been told to “check your privilege” or have heard someone else being told to do this, perhaps as part of an argument. If you’re told to “check your privilege,” you’re being asked to examine how your belonging to certain social categories (e.g. race, gender, ability) has contributed to your advantageous or privileged position. Here are some things to consider as you check your privilege.
Looking for Homo Deus quotes by Yuval Noah Harari? What are some of the most insightful passages that highlight the author’s key ideas about humanity? In Homo Deus, Yuval Noah Harari maps out the future of humanity, drawing from the interdisciplinary synthesis of history, psychology, economics, and biology. The following Homo Deus quotes highlight some of his ideas about the current state of humanity and what the future holds in store. Keep reading for quotes from Homo Deus by Yuval Harari.
How often do you find yourself discussing issues of race or racism? What is your comfort level in having conversations about race? Race is a sensitive and contentious topic to talk about. However, talking about race is the critical first step in dismantling the structures and eradicating the practices that perpetuate racism. Here are some things to keep in mind when having conversations about race.
What is English as lingua franca? What are the characteristics of the language that made it easier for people all over the globe to adopt and spread it? English as a lingua franca refers to the use of English by non-native speakers as a language of choice. While English does have some competitive advantages over many other languages in terms of ease of adoption, they are not the main reason English has become the global language. In this article, we will explore the phenomenon of English as a lingua franca.
What is institutional racism? How does institutional racism relate to white supremacy? Institutional or systemic racism is a form of racism that operates on the level of underlying societal structures and systems (e.g. criminal justice system, health care, education, etc.). According to Ijeoma Oluo, the author of So You Want to Talk About Race, institutional racism is a product of the White Supremacist system. Keep reading to understand what institutional racism is and why it can be considered a product of the White Supremacist system.