Yuck! The Science of Disgust

The Happiness Hypothesis explores the nature of human happiness, blending the philosophical and theological wisdom of ancient thinkers with insights from the field of positive psychology. Our satisfaction is driven by how our mental filters interpret the events in our lives, with the human brain perpetually divided against itself in the struggle between the desires created by our emotions and the attempts of reason to control them. The key to happiness is to use reason to focus the mind away from desires that will only bring fleeting happiness, while giving in to those desires that will bring lasting fulfillment.

In Come As You Are, author Emily Nagoski uses scientific research and her years of experience as a sex educator to change the negative way that women talk, think, and feel about their sexuality due to years of misinformation and harmful cultural messaging surrounding sex. Arguing that a scientific perspective on sexuality can free women from unrealistic standards and help them to appreciate their individual experiences, Nagoski considers sexuality from every biological angle while dispelling cultural misconceptions along the way.

In this guide, we’ll follow Nagoski’s exploration of topics ranging from basic anatomy and the mechanics of sexual response to individual experiences of arousal, desire, and orgasm. As we discuss each of these concepts, we’ll compare Nagoski’s arguments to those of other experts in her field, discuss additional research on human sexuality, and add historical and cultural context to her ideas.

The Happiness Hypothesis explores the nature of human happiness, blending the philosophical and theological wisdom of ancient thinkers with insights from the field of positive psychology. Our satisfaction is driven by how our mental filters interpret the events in our lives, with the human brain perpetually divided against itself in the struggle between the desires created by our emotions and the attempts of reason to control them. The key to happiness is to use reason to focus the mind away from desires that will only bring fleeting happiness, while giving in to those desires that will bring lasting fulfillment.

Great art can change your life—but learning about the artist’s sordid past can change how you view their art. So argues memoirist and art critic Claire Dederer in Monsters. Dederer offers an insider’s look at the thorny question: Can we love the art if we loathe the artist? She doesn’t offer easy answers. Instead, she examines how our emotional responses to art are shaped by our knowledge of the artist’s behavior, and what that says about our own morality, identity, and desires.

Our guide to Monsters starts by examining what a monster is; we outline three types of monsters and explore the lives of famous artists in each category. Then, we explain why monstrous artists trouble us. Finally, we explore three ways we can respond to art made by monsters alongside three lessons on humans’ moral complexity. In our commentary, we provide more context on the artists Dederer discusses and other expert perspectives on the nature of art, monstrosity, fandom, and morality.

A Warning is an inside look at the chaotic Trump administration by a senior Trump administration official writing anonymously. It’s a follow-up to the author’s September 5, 2018, New York Times op-ed piece describing internal efforts to control Trump’s impulses. This is no longer working, “Anonymous” writes. The book depicts an impulsive and corrupt president, who puts his self-interest above the country’s interest, in the process undermining the foundations of democracy and putting national security at grave risk.

“Anonymous” describes the increasingly futile efforts of a handful of principled White House officials to stave off disastrous, often illegal actions. The author warns that the “guard rails” have come off—the principled staffers have mostly been driven away and Trump is uncontrollable. If he wins another four years, he may sink the ship of democracy.

In Foolproof, Cambridge psychologist Sander van der Linden says that false information spreads like a virus, causing real-world harm from poor health decisions to political violence. His research reveals why we’re all vulnerable to misinformation—not because we lack intelligence, but because misinformation exploits our natural cognitive shortcuts and emotional responses. More importantly, he offers a solution: psychological inoculation that builds mental immunity to falsehoods. Through “prebunking” techniques that range from interactive games to educational videos, van der Linden shows how we can recognize manipulation tactics, break free from echo chambers, and make better-informed decisions.

This guide unpacks van der Linden’s virus metaphor, explains why traditional fact-checking falls short, and explores how individuals and communities can build immunity against false information using the same principles that protect us from diseases. Along the way, we’ll examine the challenges of applying the virus metaphor to misinformation and consider what it takes to develop true psychological immunity in an age of digital overload.