Society Archives

The Childhood of Malala Yousafzai: The Family That Shaped Her

What was Malala Yousafzai’s family like? What values did they pass on to her? Malala Yousafzai was born into poverty in a society that valued boys over girls and religious tradition over secular education. Yet, she became a Nobel-winning activist for girls’ education. The values of her family—compassion, gender equality, education, hospitality, and compassion—shaped her life early on. Read more to learn about the childhood of Malala Yousafzai.

Patagonia’s Environment-Friendly Actions to Save the Planet

How does Yvon Chouinard use his business to help the environment? Why is Patagonia one of the most environmentally friendly businesses out there? Patagonia strives to use its influence and resources to fight the environmental crisis. Chouinard argues that businesses (like Patagonia) that use natural resources must take responsibility for the effects they have on the environment. Check out Patagonia’s environment initiative to get a better sense of its eco-friendly mission.

Malala: The Taliban in Pakistan Changed Her Life—But Didn’t End It

The official Pakistan flag flying in the air

How did the Taliban change the life of a young girl and her society? Why did she speak out against them, at the risk of her own life? Malala Yousafzai was only 10 years old when the Taliban arrived in her hometown in Pakistan. As their attacks on women’s and girls’ freedoms rapidly escalated, Malala began to speak out against them, even as she and her family faced death threats. When Malala was 15, the Taliban shot and nearly killed her. Read more to learn about Malala, the Taliban in Pakistan, and why they’re such fierce enemies of each other.

2024 Housing Market Predictions: Will It Improve?

Will the 2024 housing market be as bad as the 2023 market? How did the 2007-2008 financial crisis trigger today’s affordable housing struggles? Why is homeownership a pipedream for many Americans? Stricter lending standards and sky-high home prices have rendered homeownership increasingly unattainable for many Americans. Despite slight improvements expected in 2024, long-term housing affordability remains uncertain due to supply shortages, high prices, and increasing economic inequality. Keep reading for an idea of what’s in store for the year ahead.

Heroic Individualism and Why We Obsess Over Productivity

A heroic individual looking up at a skyline in the city.

What is heroic individualism, and where does it come from? Why are so many people stuck in an extreme individualistic mindset? Heroic individualism is a mindset of thinking that you need to outperform and achieve more than other people, and it comes from overvaluing productivity. Examining the concept of heroic individualism can help you determine if you have a healthy mindset toward work and happiness. Keep reading to learn more about the origins of heroic individualism and what it looks like in practice.

Accept Death—and Avoid Needless Suffering (Sadhguru)

A middle aged woman holding a necklace in a cemetary

Do you think about death, or do you pretend it’s not an inevitability? Is embracing the reality of death a better approach than ignoring it? If you avoid thinking about death, you’re in the majority. Most people today ignore death because it’s not fun to think about. But, Sadhguru argues that this avoidance leads to suffering. Read more to learn why you should accept death, acknowledging its inevitability in a measured way.

Economic Pessimism Rises, Despite a “Strong” US Economy

A sweaty man experiencing economic pessimism as he reads a paper saying the economy is up.

Why is there so much economic pessimism in the US, despite an objectively strong economy? How might the disconnect between economic realities and perceptions impact consumer habits and the future state of the American economy? Despite robust economic indicators in the US, public opinion surveys find many Americans are pessimistic about the economy. Factors contributing to the negativity include persistent inflation, political polarization, the media, and lasting scars from the Covid-19 pandemic. Here’s why there’s such a disparity between the numbers and public perception.

Here’s Why Many Americans Are Avoiding the News

An older man ignoring the news on the television by looking at his phone.

Why are so many Americans avoiding the news? What are some of the negative effects of news fatigue? If you’ve been spending less time keeping up with the news, you’re in good company. Research shows that many Americans are paying less attention to the headlines than they used to—and there are many possible reasons why. Here’s how we get the news and a few reasons why experts think that our interest in following current events might be changing.

How to Save the Trees: Actionables From The Hidden Life of Trees

A lumberjack trying to save the trees by blocking the road that a logging truck is driving down.

How many trees are at risk of extinction? Why are sustainable forestry practices necessary? How can arboreal mortuaries help save forests? In his book The Hidden Life of Trees, Peter Wohlleben doesn’t just teach readers about the science of trees, it’s also a call to action to help save the forests. He lays out multiple ways that people and governments can help save the trees. Here are the actionables that Wohlleben shares in his book.

2023 UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) Overview

What are the key takeaways from the 2023 UN Climate Change Conference? How have global stakeholders responded to the outcomes? Is the deal enough to thwart global warming’s threats? The recent UN Climate Summit (COP28) in Dubai ended with a historic agreement, for the first time calling on nations to transition away from fossil fuel use. Critics argue the deal doesn’t go far enough, citing the pact’s weak language and support for transitional fuels and carbon capture technologies. Here’s a look at how the 2023 Conference of Parties went down.