Social Analysis

Published in 1974 in the journal Science, the article Judgment Under Uncertainty had a profound impact across the social sciences. Two relatively young Israeli psychologists were challenging the leading ideas about human thought. For decades, social scientists had used a mythical figure to describe how humans make decisions: homo economicus. Homo economicus was logical and conscientious.

In his 1986 book War Without Mercy, American historian John Dower examines Japanese-American relations during World War II and investigates links between popular culture, stereotypes, and extreme violence. He argues that it was the concept of racism - used equally by both sides - that underpinned the military conflict and led to a particularly brutal war in the Pacific and East Asia.

American sociologist Jack A. Goldstone examines the causes of revolutions and uprisings in the period between 1500 and 1800. Investigating cases in both Europe and Asia, the conclusions he reaches are surprising. Many thinkers had previously believed that Europe's distinctive history - and particularly the rise of capitalism - had created the specific revolutions and political changes that launched the continent on a path to global supremacy. Goldstone says this is wrong, and that European and Asian states were, in fact, all experiencing similar developments.

The title of Norwegian-born historian Odd Arne Westad's 2005 work - The Global Cold War: Third World Interventions and the Making of Our Times - offers a window into his thesis. Between the end of World War II and the early 1990s, both the Soviet Union and the United States "intervened" (or "offered aid and support to") developing nations in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. In Westad's view, these interventions were more important than events in Europe, where most studies of the Cold War focus.

Even as recently as the 1920s the historical lack of great female writers was often considered as evidence of women's inferiority. Virginia Woolf disagreed. In her 1929 essay A Room of One's Own, she argues that creativity is impossible without privacy and freedom from financial worries - and that throughout history women have had neither. As a result, no tradition of great female writing existed to inspire women. Woolf's focus on the everyday suppression of women was a turning point.

Though written around 1513, more than 500 years ago, Italian diplomat Niccolò Machiavelli's The Prince is still both widely listened to and very influential. Listeners turn to it for its direct advice on the question of how to attain - and retain - power. Machiavelli's answer, in brief: Use any means necessary to make sure the state survives.

Iranian American writer and scholar Hamid Dabashi wrote Iran: A People Interrupted amid the political fallout following the 9/11 terrorist attacks on New York - his adopted city - in 2001. As US President George W. Bush declared a "war on terror" and named Iran as part of an "axis of evil" that supported terrorism, Dabashi offered an insider's insight into the Iranian psyche.

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This is a summary and analysis of the book by Rachel Maddow and not the original book. In Blowout, Rachel Maddow explains how the oil and gas industry is experiencing a Renaissance thanks to fracking and horizontal drilling. The book tells the history of oil and gas over the last decade, and shows how all these pieces are interconnected and are affecting our lives, right now. In fact, it is argued by the author that the geopolitical impact of the oil and gas industry activities is the key explanatory variable of the current global chaos and democratic downturn.

In his 1807 work Phenomenology of Spirit, G. W. F. Hegel introduced the world to his philosophical system. His most influential work - and the culmination of the German Idealist movement begun in the late 18th century as a response to the works of Immanuel Kant - the book remains one of the undisputed classics of Western thought.

In The Desert Enigma: An Analysis of Occult Symbolism in Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist, author, blogger, and independent investigator Isaac "The IlluminatiWatcher" Weishaupt reveals the hidden occult messages found in Paulo Coelho's novel The Alchemist. This analysis takes an honest look at the history of author Paulo Coelho and his degrees of separation from ceremonial magick, Aleister Crowley, Charles Manson, Kenneth Grant, Alejandro Jodorowsky, witchcraft, satanism, and more.

John Milton, author of Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained, calls for complete freedom of the press and speech and an end to any government censorship in 1644. Censorship is a perennial issue. In addition to insight into the English revolution, Milton has much to teach us today. Anyone interested government censorship should listen to this insightful text.

Lighting the Fuse: A Historical Analysis of Billy Joel's "We Didn't Start the Fire" is a compelling nonfiction deep dive into the turbulent and transformative eras captured within Billy Joel’s iconic song. Through each rapid-fire reference—from political upheavals to pop culture milestones this book unpacks the historical significance behind the lyrics, line by line. Author Robert offers listeners more than just a lyrical breakdown; he weaves together a tapestry of stories that shaped the twentieth century, turning what was once a catchy melody into a rich, educational journey.

Edward Snowden’s Permanent Record is a testimony of a man for whom privacy is paramount, but who knows that exposing himself is necessary for the world to understand the importance of the information he revealed about the U.S. government. Snowden takes us through his life and decision to reveal the National Security Agency’s mass surveillance of American citizens and the tools the NSA used to collect every text, e-mail, phone call, and digital action made by citizens.

The chapters contained in this book present Mr. Roosevelt's views on many of the great national issues of the day. They were written since Mr. Roosevelt's return to America and appeared originally in The Outlook as editorials or articles. These articles include "The Management of Small States Which Are Unable to Manage Themselves", "A Remedy for Some Forms of Selfish Legislation", "Rural Life", "The Progressives, Past and Present", "The Pioneer Spirit and American Problems", and "The Tariff: A Moral Issue".

Ben Sasse...claims at the outset that The Vanishing American Adult is a nonpartisan audiobook: he is diagnosing and attempting to solve a problem that affects both Democrats and Republicans alike, since a lack of self-reliance among young people threatens the future of the whole country. While serving as president of Midland University in Omaha, Nebraska, Sasse encountered a population of undergraduates who were in a profound state of arrested development, unable to properly mature into adulthood.

Kahneman uses this audiobook to explore how these decision-making processes work. He characterizes the type of rapid-fire, thoughtless reacting, that constitutes most thought as "System 1" thinking, and more reflective, strategic thinking as "System 2." Examples of System 1 managed functions include simple arithmetic, basic reading comprehension, and determining the relative distances and sizes of objects. System 2, by contrast, handles difficult tasks such as parallel parking, walking at a faster-than-normal speed.

In Infinite Powers, Strogatz attempts to show us the link between the universe and calculus. Everything human civilization has created has been based on some form of calculus, including cellphones, radios, HIV drugs, and human genome technology. Strogatz makes a compelling argument that without integral and differential equations, there would be no modern civilization. Infinite Powers is a classic description of the history, development, and future of calculus, as well as the phenomenal mathematicians who mastered it.

In Digital Minimalism, author Cal Newport explains how you can experience a massive positive transformation in your life by ruthlessly cutting down on the time you spend online. Learn how to ditch the screen and get your life back.

In Winners Take All, Anand Giridharadas bursts the great myth that large corporations are the key drivers of social change and poverty reduction. He provides critical evidence that shows just how self-serving these large donations are, highlighting the behind-the-scenes machinations that keep the system skewed in favor of the wealthy. Giridharadas pulls no punches as he exposes the inner workings of what he calls MarketWorld, a reference to the philanthropic individuals and companies that make a killing off the misery of poor people.