‘Half a Million Strong’ Studies the Intersection of Crowds and Power at Rock Festivals
Gina Arnold's research into rock festivals in the US, Half a Million Strong, reveals that it's about the music, yes, but it's also very much about you.
sociology
‘Bitwise’ and Our Fluid Interactions with Technology
David Auerbach offers a unique perspective on the fascinations of technology as well as how it can often blight our sensibilities when thinking about our fellow human beings.
Of Principles and Policies: How Superheroes Can Inform Our Thinking About Social Life
The complexities of social life depicted in superhero narratives are similar to those of our own. In 2018, we need to consider taking superhero narratives a little more seriously.
What Are You So Damned Happy About?
Daniel Horowitz's Happier? tells the story of how happiness became such a hot topic, and it shows us — at least in part — why that is such a problem.
Video-idiocy? No, ‘Videocracy’ Celebrates the Bright Side of YouTube Indulgence
Against the constant distaste for and dismay about social media, Videocracy gives readers a series of anecdotes that connect YouTube to the goodness of being human.
What We Don’t Talk About When We Talk About Revenge
Stephen Fineman's brief overview of revenge is a collection of examples in search of a more nuanced theory.
Pause and Effect: How to Stop Jumping to Conclusions
A sociologist offers hope for finding better solutions to complex problems by asking better questions about causation.
‘Chocolate Cities’ Draws New Maps of Black American Life
A classic Parliament track inspires a new look at how black Americans moved, made connections, and created a nation-within-a-nation.
Don’t Google It! How Search Engines Reinforce Racism
Algorithms of Oppression addresses the growing concern about the consequences of commercial control over information and the harm it does to communities.
‘Til Death Do You Part: And Other Thoughts About Family
Annabelle Gurwitch's humorous memoir, Wherever You Go, There They Are, captures how one is forever in the thralls of the family -- no matter the form that family takes.
Every F***ing Thing You Need to Know About Profanity
Michael Adams’ In Praise of Profanity tells you every f***ing thing you need to know about profanity but were afraid to ask.
Eviction Has Become Increasingly Prevalent and Increasing Damning
Matthew Desmond sees poverty and housing as questions of morality in Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City.