The World's Best Book Summaries
How is language used to hurt women? How can women use language to spread awareness about abuse and sexual assault? A major aspect of the mistreatment and control of women is silencing them. According to Rebecca Solnit, silencing women is effective because language has a major impact on people’s beliefs and perceptions. Let’s explore the language of violence and the negative and positive effects it can have.
Why are women attacked in online communities? What levels of violence do these threats reach? Rebecca Solnit explains that language can be used destructively against women. This is well illustrated by the way sexism and misogyny manifest in online communities and on social media. Find out more about the phenomenon of online violence against women.
Why are women being silenced in society? What prominent figures have silenced their victims in the past? The authoritarian belief that men have the right to control women is what motivates misogyny and the mistreatment of women. According to Rebecca Solnit, mistreatment and control include silencing women’s voices. Continue reading to learn the many ways men have used their privilege to shut women down.
What year does the Time Traveller in The Time Machine travel to? What does he find when he arrives? H.G. Wells’s classic book The Time Machine, first published in 1895, is one of the earliest known science fiction stories. It popularized the concept of time travel and introduced the now-common phrase “time machine.” Continue reading for a synopsis of The Time Machine by H.G. Wells.
Does it feel like you can’t keep up with all the misinformation out there—much less refute it? Are you stuck in an echo chamber? Bullshit can exist in any era. But, Carl T. Bergstrom and Jevin D. West contend that two components of contemporary society—the internet and the mainstream media—are particularly potent vehicles for spreading bullshit. Keep reading to understand the phenomenon of bullshit media.
What does the future of fusion energy look like? What are the main benefits and challenges associated with it? Fusion energy, once seen as wishful thinking, is gaining renewed attention due to recent advancements, potentially offering an abundant, eco-friendly power source. Private companies are pouring billions into fusion startups racing to make commercial reactors a reality within a decade. Continue reading to learn what fusion energy is and how it might be used in the future.
Why are younger generations suddenly listening to classical music again? How do millennials and Gen Z discover new music? Classical music is gaining surprising ground with millennials and with Gen Z. What used to be a genre reserved for those over 50 is now making its way to listeners under 35—and streaming platforms are influencing this behavior. Below, we’ll explore why the popularity of classical music is rising and what role streaming apps have to play.
What does the artificial intelligence executive order entail? What key provisions does the order contain to manage risks and protect Americans? President Biden issued a sweeping executive order in October to oversee artificial intelligence technologies, establishing new guidelines for safety, security, and privacy. The order has received mixed responses from various stakeholders. Continue reading for an overview of the order, the goals, and reactions.
Does Poverty, by America offer an accurate view of poverty in the US? What criticism has it received? There’s a growing canon of recent social science works exploring the phenomenon of poverty in America. One of these books is Matthew Desmond’s Poverty, by America. Upon its release, critics hailed it as an important and timely contribution to the conversation. Read more to see several top Poverty, by America reviews as well as some general information about the book.
What does it feel like to be poor? What aspects of poverty can’t be quantified? It’s easy to regard poverty as a black-and-white, by-the-numbers matter. But, according to Matthew Desmond, poverty is far more than that. It’s a tangible experience he knows firsthand, and he argues that it’s important for policymakers (and everyone else) to look beyond the numbers. Keep reading to understand the lived experience—and the consequences—of poverty from Desmond’s perspective.