Society Archives

Are Billionaires Ethical? Arguments For & Against the Ultra-Rich

Are billionaires ethical? Is it possible to be a billionaire without exploitation? How do people become so rich? According to a survey, most Americans see billionaires as neither good nor bad for the country. However, there’s a growing number of those who doubt that it’s possible to be an ethical billionaire, claiming the ultra-wealthy unfairly influence policy-making and don’t use their riches for the greater good. Read on to learn if billionaires are ethical, based on arguments for and against billionaires in the U.S.

Credit Card Debt in America Exposes a Harsh Reality

What’s causing the record-high credit card debt in America? Why are Americans spending so much yet saving so little? Credit card debt in America rose to $890 billion in 2022, with total household debt hitting a record high of $16.5 trillion. Credit is a survival tool for most Americans—and the debt tied to it is so ubiquitous in the U.S. that it’s become normalized. Read on to learn more about credit card debt in America, including tips for managing debt.

Pointless Jobs: How to Identify Meaningless Work

What is a pointless job? How can you identify one? What are the common characteristics and categories? In Bullshit Jobs, David Graeber argues that many jobs in contemporary industrial societies are, in fact, pointless. This flies in the face of our conventional economic thinking, in which jobs exist largely to fulfill a pre-existing need that adds value to society. Keep reading to learn how to identify pointless jobs, according to Graeber.

Focusing on Others: Empathy, Social Intuition, & Body Language

Are there different kinds of empathy? What is social intuition? How important is attention when it comes to social interactions? In Focus, Daniel Goleman discusses various directions of attention. One way we can direct our attention is toward others. According to Goleman, an effective focus on others builds several life skills: empathy, social intuition, and the ability to read body language. Keep reading to learn how focusing on others can help you develop these skills.

Why Is Misinformation Bad & How Can You Stop It?

Why is misinformation bad? What are the consequences of spreading bad information? How can you stop it? Misinformation and disinformation are everywhere, leading to inaccurate beliefs and distorted worldviews. However, refuting these forms of false information can be extremely difficult. Read on to learn why misinformation is not only bad, but at times dangerous, and how you can stop it from spreading.

Explaining the Bring Your “Whole Self” to Work Debate

Should you bring your “whole self” to work? Why has this become a heated debate? Many workplaces are encouraging employees to bring their “whole (authentic) self” to work. However, not everyone can agree on what exactly this means or what the risks and benefits are to your career. Keep reading to learn more about bringing your whole self to work and why it’s debated.

Major Extinction Events & Human-Caused Extinctions

When have major extinction events occurred? What causes mass extinctions? Are there ever human-caused extinctions? A Short History of Nearly Everything is an accessible overview of the natural sciences that discusses major scientific discoveries, mysteries, and controversies. It’s in this context that author Bill Bryson addresses the serious matter of extinction and its causes. Keep reading for an introduction to this sobering reality of our history and probably our future.

One Big Problem With American Work Culture & Values

What are meaningless jobs? Why are they a little-known consequence of toxic American work culture and values? In his book Bullshit Jobs, David Graeber explores the phenomenon of meaningless jobs in industrialized Western societies. He claims that American work culture and values have allowed meaningless jobs to thrive, resulting in damaging psychological effects on workers and society at large. Read on to learn more about American work culture, values, and meaningless jobs, according to Graeber.

How Close Are We to Fusion Power as an Energy Source?

What is nuclear fusion and how does it produce energy? How close are we to fusion power? Scientists at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) recently achieved net positive energy from a fusion reaction. Scientists hope that fusion will be the foundation of cheap, clean, and sustainable energy for the future. Read on to find out how close we are to fusion power, according to NIF scientists.

Why Are Care Workers Paid So Little: Society to Blame?

Why are care workers paid so little? How do cultural values contribute to underpaying care workers? Author and anthropologist David Graeber wrote Bullshit Jobs in part to explain how society undervalues care work. According to him, because care work doesn’t produce goods, society views it as less important and justifies paying care workers so little. Read on to learn more about why care workers are paid so little, according to Graeber.