'Adventures in the Louvre' will teach you how to fall in love with the famous museum

How does the way you see something affect what you see? Does the public really need museums and art critics to explain an artwork’s meaning to them? In Ways of Seeing, published in 1972, critic John Berger argues that throughout history, the way we see art has been manipulated by a privileged minority to preserve their social and economic dominance. The book challenges the idea that to understand and appreciate works of art, we need experts to “translate” them for us. Rather, Berger urges us to pull back the curtain and look at the images before us with our own eyes.

In this guide, we explore Berger’s premise that, throughout history, the dominant class has used art and art criticism to “mystify” the working class. Additionally, we add historical background on both the artwork Berger analyzes and the landscape in which Berger is writing, and compare Berger’s ideas to those of contemporary art and culture.

A theft scandal at the British Museum has fueled the debate over repatriating culturally important objects. Those in favor of repatriation say that many objects were stolen or taken unethically. Opponents say museums are the safest places for them and it’s often unclear who they belong to.

How does the way you see something affect what you see? Does the public really need museums and art critics to explain an artwork’s meaning to them? In Ways of Seeing, published in 1972, critic John Berger argues that throughout history, the way we see art has been manipulated by a privileged minority to preserve their social and economic dominance. The book challenges the idea that to understand and appreciate works of art, we need experts to “translate” them for us. Rather, Berger urges us to pull back the curtain and look at the images before us with our own eyes.

In this guide, we explore Berger’s premise that, throughout history, the dominant class has used art and art criticism to “mystify” the working class. Additionally, we add historical background on both the artwork Berger analyzes and the landscape in which Berger is writing, and compare Berger’s ideas to those of contemporary art and culture.

Although we live longer today and have more material wealth than ever, many people feel anxious rather than happy. In Flow, psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi offers an antidote. People are happiest when they feel in control of their inner thoughts and feelings and experience a “flow state”: a sense of enjoyment, purpose, and meaning.

Csikszentmihalyi explains: how controlling and ordering your consciousness brings flow and enjoyment, which personality characteristics produce flow, and how to find flow in your work and relationships.

In Leonardo da Vinci, Walter Isaacson narrates the life, accomplishments, and struggles of the Italian painter, engineer, and scientist—the ultimate Renaissance man. He traces Leonardo’s evolution, finds explanations for his flaws, and extracts lessons from his life and work that you can apply to your own.

Isaacson believes that making cross-disciplinary connections is at the core of being innovative, creative, and, ultimately, a genius. There’s no better example of this than Leonardo da Vinci. His studies in science, engineering, and art helped him satisfy his curiosity and understand the world around him, and they contributed to making his masterpieces scientifically accurate, innovative, and intriguing.

Our guide explores the known facts of Leonardo’s life, the key elements of his genius, and the lessons you can learn from him. We also discuss the historical context of Leonardo's life and work and connect Isaacson's lessons to other authors’ complementary advice.

How does the way you see something affect what you see? Does the public really need museums and art critics to explain an artwork’s meaning to them? In Ways of Seeing, published in 1972, critic John Berger argues that throughout history, the way we see art has been manipulated by a privileged minority to preserve their social and economic dominance. The book challenges the idea that to understand and appreciate works of art, we need experts to “translate” them for us. Rather, Berger urges us to pull back the curtain and look at the images before us with our own eyes.

In this guide, we explore Berger’s premise that, throughout history, the dominant class has used art and art criticism to “mystify” the working class. Additionally, we add historical background on both the artwork Berger analyzes and the landscape in which Berger is writing, and compare Berger’s ideas to those of contemporary art and culture.

A theft scandal at the British Museum has fueled the debate over repatriating culturally important objects. Those in favor of repatriation say that many objects were stolen or taken unethically. Opponents say museums are the safest places for them and it’s often unclear who they belong to.

In Leonardo da Vinci, Walter Isaacson narrates the life, accomplishments, and struggles of the Italian painter, engineer, and scientist—the ultimate Renaissance man. He traces Leonardo’s evolution, finds explanations for his flaws, and extracts lessons from his life and work that you can apply to your own.

Isaacson believes that making cross-disciplinary connections is at the core of being innovative, creative, and, ultimately, a genius. There’s no better example of this than Leonardo da Vinci. His studies in science, engineering, and art helped him satisfy his curiosity and understand the world around him, and they contributed to making his masterpieces scientifically accurate, innovative, and intriguing.

Our guide explores the known facts of Leonardo’s life, the key elements of his genius, and the lessons you can learn from him. We also discuss the historical context of Leonardo's life and work and connect Isaacson's lessons to other authors’ complementary advice.

Beyond Order is Jordan B. Peterson’s hard-hitting, no-nonsense guide to navigating the chaos of our difficult world and living a life of excellence. In it, Peterson offers 12 rules to help you reduce the chaos in your life, create order, and live responsibly.

Peterson is a Canadian clinical psychologist and emeritus professor at the University of Toronto who rose to fame in 2016 for his controversial critique of identity politics. Peterson is also known for his YouTube-based lecture series on mythology, religion, and psychology, as well as for staunchly supporting free speech, monogamous marriage, and the importance of the Bible to Western culture.

Our guide discusses Peterson’s perspectives on how and why to listen to your conscience, how to find the courage to take responsibility for yourself and your loved ones, and how to show up for life as fully as you can. In commentary, we both challenge and support his ideas, and we explore alternatives as well as specific how-tos for his more abstract suggestions.

How does the way you see something affect what you see? Does the public really need museums and art critics to explain an artwork’s meaning to them? In Ways of Seeing, published in 1972, critic John Berger argues that throughout history, the way we see art has been manipulated by a privileged minority to preserve their social and economic dominance. The book challenges the idea that to understand and appreciate works of art, we need experts to “translate” them for us. Rather, Berger urges us to pull back the curtain and look at the images before us with our own eyes.

In this guide, we explore Berger’s premise that, throughout history, the dominant class has used art and art criticism to “mystify” the working class. Additionally, we add historical background on both the artwork Berger analyzes and the landscape in which Berger is writing, and compare Berger’s ideas to those of contemporary art and culture.

Breakthrough ideas can feel mysterious and unpredictable, even for the most creative people. But according to psychologist Gary Klein, insights aren’t random strokes of genius: They arrive through specific pathways that we can learn to recognize and cultivate. In Seeing What Others Don’t, Klein draws on decades of research studying how people make decisions in high-stakes environments to reveal the three distinct paths that lead to insight: noticing contradictions, making unexpected connections, and pushing through moments of creative desperation.

Our guide explores Klein’s framework for understanding and cultivating insights, showing how these principles have shaped breakthrough thinking across history—from René Descartes’s revolutionary embrace of doubt to the insight-friendly architecture of Bell Labs. We examine how different organizations have created (or stifled) conditions where insights can flourish, and what their successes and failures teach us about nurturing our own breakthrough moments. Whether you’re solving technical problems, leading a team, or seeking creative breakthroughs, Klein’s research offers practical strategies for seeing what others miss.