What Is Pleasure Activism? adrienne maree brown Explains

A man with dark hair and eyeglasses looking up with a wondering look illustrates the question, "What is pleasure activism?"

What does it mean to reclaim joy in the face of systemic oppression? How can pleasure become a tool for social change? What is pleasure activism? adrienne maree brown explores how marginalized communities can use joy as resistance against oppression. Drawing from Black feminist thought, science fiction, and community organizing, brown contends that pleasure is both a fundamental right and a powerful catalyst for social transformation. Keep reading to understand brown’s argument that prioritizing joy isn’t selfish—it’s revolutionary.

Unbound by Kasia Urbaniak: Book Overview & Takeaways

A woman reading a book in a chair

What if you could learn to consciously choose when to lead or follow in any interaction? What’s Kasia Urbaniak’s Unbound about? Kasia Urbaniak shares revolutionary insights about social influence in her groundbreaking book, Unbound. Urbaniak’s methods teach readers how to master the delicate dance of dominance and submission through the strategic use of attention and focus. Read more in our brief overview of Unbound.

Yuval Noah Harari: AI Dangers, Solutions, & the Real Risk

Yuval Noah Harari (AI thought leader) at the 2024 Frankfurt Book Fair

What’s really happening when AI systems choose the information we see online? How can we maintain control over technology that’s becoming better than humans at understanding our world? In his book Nexus, Yuval Noah Harari explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping our relationship with information. From social media algorithms to sophisticated language models, AI systems are increasingly determining what we read, watch, and believe. Read more to get Yuval Noah Harari’s AI insights and to better understand how to navigate this changing landscape.

The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis: The Myths & the Real Cause

A sad young adult looking at her phone, showing Gen Z's mental health crisis

Why do Gen Z have more mental health issues than other generations? Have societal challenges created a Gen Z mental health crisis? According to Abigail Shrier’s book Bad Therapy, young people’s mental health today differs from that of older generations. Generation Z (those born 1995-2012) struggle with mental health more than previous generations. Let’s debunk the myths behind the Gen Z mental health crisis to understand it better.

Break Free From Good Girl Syndrome With This Advice

A shy woman who has good girl syndrome

What’s “Good Girl” syndrome? How can women break free from societal norms that hold them back? Kasia Urbaniak’s book Unbound explores how pervasive societal norms influence behaviors associated with “Good Girl” syndrome, thereby limiting women’s potential and opportunities. Urbaniak confronts social conventions that encourage women to prioritize the needs of others, diminish their own needs, and suppress their aspirations. Find out how to stop being a people-pleaser and live life for yourself as a woman.

The Damaging Effects of Social Expectations for Women

A woman looking at a blue wall, frustrated by societal expectations of women

Why do social expectations for women end up hurting them? How can women find power beyond just being nice? In Unbound, Kasia Urbaniak posits that historically, women adopted behaviors such as politeness, agreeableness, and prioritizing others’ needs as tactics for navigating a male-dominated social structure. However, in the contemporary world, these tendencies often limit our ability to express our needs and achieve our highest potential. Learn more about how to confront expectations that prevent women from succeeding.

3 Damaging Examples of Classroom Accommodations

A teacher helping a student with their work as an example of classroom accommodations

Are classroom accommodations always a good thing? What’s restorative justice and how is it implemented in school? Schools have long provided special accommodations to help struggling students succeed. But in Bad Therapy, Abigail Shrier argues that schools now bend over backward to accommodate nearly every student request, a practice that undermines independence and academic performance. Discover examples of classroom accommodations that Shrier believes are harming students.

What’s Wrong With Socialism? Hayek Finds 2 Errors at Its Heart

A woman thinking deeply while looking up with her hand under her chin illustrates the question "What's wrong with socialism?"

What makes monopolies form in modern economies? Why do socialist solutions often fail to deliver on their promises? In his book The Road to Serfdom, Friedrich Hayek explores what’s wrong with socialism by examining two fundamental flaws in socialist thinking. He challenges common beliefs about monopolies and economic planning, revealing how socialist policies can lead to unintended consequences. Keep reading to discover why Hayek believes socialist solutions may create more problems than they solve.

Socialism vs. Democracy: Hayek Explains 4 Ways They Clash

A balance scale with SOCIALISM on one side and DEMOCRACY on the other illustrates socialism vs. democracy

Why does socialism clash with democratic values? What makes central economic planning a threat to individual freedoms? In his book The Road to Serfdom, Friedrich Hayek explores the fundamental tension between socialism and democracy. He presents four key democratic elements—economic freedom, intellectual freedom, rule of law, and democratic leadership—that become compromised under socialist systems. Keep reading to get Hayek’s take on the socialism vs. democracy debate.

Gender Barriers of Communication: Thriving as a Woman

The silhouettes of a man and woman showing gender barriers in communication

Have you ever wondered why some conversations feel like hitting a brick wall? How do gender dynamics come into play in conversations? In Unbound, Kasia Urbaniak explores a common obstacle faced by women in the realm of communication, detailing strategies for interaction when confronted with refusal or a negative response. Urbaniak portrays resistance not as a sign of failure or personal insult, but as an opportunity to build connections and influence people. Keep reading to learn more about overcoming gender barriers of communication.