Society Archives

Population and the Environment: A Thought Experiment

What’s the relationship between the population and the environment? Is it straightforward or nuanced and complex? In The World Without Us, science journalist Alan Weisman outlines the ways the human race has left a mark on our planet. He asserts that the Earth’s environment would benefit if the human population declined or even vanished, and he conducts a thought experiment to explore the implications. Keep reading to learn about the interplay between the population and the environment from the perspective of this thought experiment.

The Origin of Pidgin: The Intriguing Story of Language Mashups

What’s pidgin? Why and how does it come about? What’s a creole? Steven Pinker contends that language is biologically innate. The innatist theory provides a key insight into the field of linguistics: It explains the ability of people to spontaneously create new languages. Pinker uses pidgin as an example to illustrate this ability. Keep reading to learn the origin of pidgin and what it tells us about human abilities.

The Second Mountain: Quotes From David Brooks

How is personal character formed? Why should we look back into history? What are the pros and cons of intellectual pursuits? In his book The Second Mountain, cultural commentator David Brooks contrasts the individualist approach to life with the relationalist approach. He argues that you should embrace relationalism—the worldview that prioritizes selflessness and service to others—to lead a deeply fulfilling life. Keep reading for The Second Mountain quotes that provide insight into the book’s themes.

Is Europe’s Gas Shortage Really Over? Analyzing the Debate

Is Europe’s gas shortage over or is another energy crisis on the way? Why do experts’ viewpoints differ on this issue? Last November, Europe appeared on the brink of an energy crisis, facing a shortage of natural gas as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine disrupted global supply and distribution. Now, some say that Europe not only weathered the storm but put itself in a stronger energy position than ever—but others don’t readily agree. Read on to learn if Europe’s gas shortage is truly over or if another energy crisis is on the horizon.

Doomsday Scenarios: The Extinction of the Human Race

What could wipe out humanity? How have civilizations been destroyed in the past? In The World Without Us, science journalist Alan Weisman asks what would happen if the human race vanished overnight. Although he states that the means of extinction are not necessarily relevant to the thought experiment, he speculates about how it might occur. Read more to learn about a few doomsday scenarios that might cause the extinction of the human race.

Why We Should Embrace Language Innovation (Steven Pinker)

Do you ever use the word “hangry”? Do you think you should or shouldn’t? Do you take a functional or a purist approach to language? In The Language Instinct, experimental psychologist Steven Pinker argues that language is an innate, biological ability in humans—not just an element of human culture that gets passed from person to person. His theory explains his openness to language innovation. Continue reading to discover why, according to Pinker, we shouldn’t be afraid to toss out arbitrary grammar conventions.

What Is Nostr? How It Could Transform Social Media

What is Nostr? How is Nostr different than traditional social media? What does distributed social media mean? New, decentralized social media platforms have the potential to reduce online censorship and spam, redefine online advertising, and normalize bitcoin use—potentially stabilizing bitcoin’s value. Nostr is a protocol that can act as a platform for decentralized social media. Read on to learn what Nostr is, how it works, and if it has the potential to revolutionize social media.

Who Are the Power Elite in America? Where the Influence Lies

Who are the power elite in America? What institutions wield influence over nearly everything? In The Power Elite, sociologist C. Wright Mills discusses how a small group of leaders has taken over a vast majority of American political and economic decision-making. He defines the power elite—who they are and how they operate—and he identifies the three institutions where the power elite emerged. Keep reading to learn who these people are and how they’ve consolidated their power.

The Earth After Humans: Alan Weisman’s Thought Experiment

What effects, positive or negative, would the disappearance of humans have on the world? How permanent are the changes we’ve made? The human race has left a mark on our planet. In The World Without Us, science journalist Alan Weisman asks what would happen if the human race vanished overnight. Weisman’s goal is to address humanity’s environmental impact by imagining a world in which nature is allowed to flourish. Keep reading to learn how the Earth after humans would be significantly different than what came before.

The Impact of Western Individualism: 3 Surprising Ways It Harms

How does an entire culture maintain a false idea about the nature of existence? How is that illusion hurting us? Many people in the West internalize the idea that each of us is an individual—an entity separate from others and our surroundings. Philosopher Alan Watts claims that this “ego illusion” manifests in Western society through paradoxical cultural expectations for each person to be an individual. Keep reading to understand Watts’s take on Western individualism and to learn three ways it harms people and the environment.