Society Archives

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.

Why Is Child Labor in the U.S. on the Rise? A Look at the Issues

Why is child labor in the U.S. on the rise? How much has child labor increased in recent years? Between 2015 and 2022, the number of children employed in violation of child labor laws in the U.S. tripled from 1,012 to 3,876. Most minors in these exploitative work situations are migrant children who have fled violence and poverty in their home countries to pursue better circumstances. Keep reading to learn what’s behind this increase in child labor violations in the U.S.

America’s Government Elite: The Rise of a Bureaucratic Behemoth

Who has more power in America—elected or unelected officials? Are civil service jobs provided based on merit? Sociologist C. Wright Mills claims that the power elites are in charge in America. He explains that these “influencers” are unaccountable to the people, can exercise their power broadly, and have exploited many national institutions for their own benefit. Many of these elites are in civilian government. Keep reading for Mills’s exposé of America’s government elite.

The 4 Poverty Alleviation Programs That Need More Attention

How does poverty affect one’s cognitive functioning? What are the psychological consequences of never having enough money? Poverty takes a huge toll on one’s cognitive capacity. Poor people are so preoccupied with stretching their money that they don’t have any mental bandwidth to focus on anything else. The cognitive effects of poverty should be tackled on the institutional level. Here are some recommended poverty alleviation programs from Scarcity.

The Colorado River Water Shortage: The Cause & Impact

What’s causing the Colorado River water shortage? What impact will it have on the river itself, water users, and the wider economy? Reservoirs throughout the Colorado River drainage have become critically depleted because current water use agreements divert more irrigation water to farmers than the river can provide. Reduced availability of irrigation water could potentially diminish the nation’s food supply and drive up prices. Keep reading to learn more about the cause and impact of the Colorado River water shortage.