Society Archives

Freakonomics: Book Club Exercises for a Thoughtful Discussion

Would you like to understand your fellow humans better? When is conventional wisdom wrong? What if you thought like an economist? Authored by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner, Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything applies the tools of economics to explain real-world phenomena that aren’t conventionally thought of as “economic.” The book contains fascinating implications and applications. Continue reading for discussion questions and a quiz that you can use with your Freakonomics book club.

How the American Intellectual Class Fails in Its Duty

What’s the role of intellectuals in society? How has that role changed in America over the years? Sociologist C. Wright Mills says that America’s intellectual class used to run interference for the people, helping them understand what was going on and know how to stand up for their interests. All of that changed after World War II. Learn how the American intellectual class is now part of the problem.

The Centralization of Power: How the People Lost Control

Do you feel powerless to impact politics? Does it seem like the major decisions are made by powerful people far away? You’re not alone—and things haven’t always been this way. In The Power Elite, American sociologist C. Wright Mills discusses how a small group of corporate, military, and political leaders has taken over a vast majority of American political and economic decision-making. Continue reading for Mills’s exploration of how the centralization of power progressed in America at the expense of the people.

Adam Smith: Self-Interest Is the Engine of a Free Economy

Can self-interest be a good thing? What does it have to do with labor, embargoes, and taxation? According to Adam Smith, self-interest in the context of a free market is what a nation needs in order to flourish. In The Wealth of Nations, he argues that free markets harness the power of rational self-interest to incentivize the production of useful goods while efficiently distributing surplus wealth. Read more to understand Smith’s case for free markets and individual self-interest as the best ways to grow a nation’s economy.

Is It Possible to Live Forever and if So, Should We?

Is it possible to live forever? What are the potential implications of human immortality for society at large? People have always been fascinated with immortality. However, we have never been as close to it as we are today. Medical technology is advancing at an unprecedented pace, and many scientists believe that humanity is on the brink of a breakthrough that will pave the way toward technologies that will make eternal life possible. Keep reading to learn whether it’s possible to live forever and some potential implications of human immortality for the human species and societies at large.

Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson: Book Overview

What is Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson about? What are the main takeaways of the book? In Just Mercy, Bryan Stevenson discusses the 1989 case of Walter McMillian and his evidence of extreme punishments doled out more broadly by the justice system. He provides a diagnosis of the root problems with the American conception of justice and his suggestions for repairing it. Read below for a brief overview of Just Mercy.

What Causes a Train to Derail? A Close Look at the Ohio Disaster

What causes a train to derail? How common are train derailments in the U.S.? On February 3, a 150-car, Norfolk Southern freight train carrying vinyl chloride derailed in Ohio, sparking a massive fire and sending toxic gasses into the air. For years, rail unions have sounded the alarm that freight rail companies’ “speed over safety” mentality and drastic workforce cuts would lead to disaster. Read on to learn more about what causes a train to derail, including why derailments are happening more often in the U.S.

Why There’s a Lack of Emotional Intelligence in Society

Why is society generally low in emotional intelligence? What are the consequences of our lack of emotional intelligence? According to The School of Life authors, there’s an overall lack of emotional intelligence in today’s society. They argue that we fail to teach children emotional intelligence in schools despite how much importance we place on gaining a formal education. Read on to learn about the causes and consequences of our lack of emotional intelligence, according to the authors.

Racial Bias in the Criminal Justice System (Just Mercy)

Is there racial bias in the criminal justice system? Why was Walter McMillian convicted of a crime he didn’t commit? Bryan Stevenson’s book Just Mercy examines the justice system’s pervasive failures toward marginalized populations, especially Black Americans. The case of Walter McMillian is a prime example of how a Black man was sentenced to death just because of racial bias. Let’s look at how racial bias can play a part in the justice system.

How Does a Country Make Money? Adam Smith Explains

How does a country make money? What separates a wealthy country from a poor country? Many economists consider Adam Smith’s The Wealth of Nations one of the major foundational texts of their discipline. Writing in 1776, Smith argues that free markets are the best institution for cultivating a nation’s wealth. Keep reading to learn the basics of how a country makes money.