In my recent review of Noah Hawley’s novel Anthem, I touched on some powerful themes that the book explores, including mental health issues in youth, trauma’s lingering impacts, and the importance of human connection in healing societal rifts. These themes all relate to the vital quality of empathy. As Hawley’s dystopian tale suggests, practicing empathy…
The commonplace book, a collection of passages and quotations organized by theme or topic, has long been a key tool for scholars and thinkers. From the Renaissance through the 19th century, learned figures kept these books to store bits of knowledge, apt quotes, or observations for later retrieval and use. The art of selecting and…
Quick Summary Noah Hawley’s latest novel Anthem offers a disturbing yet captivating vision of a near-future America plagued by political strife, climate disaster, and teenage suicide. Published in January 2022, the book has garnered attention for its timely themes and fast-paced, cinematic storytelling. In this review, I will give a quick plot overview, an extended…
Quick Summary In White Fragility, Robin DiAngelo explains that white people are insulated from racial stress because we live in a society that caters to white people as the norm. This builds our expectations for racial comfort, causing defensiveness and hostility when we are confronted with the reality of racism. DiAngelo examines topics like white…
In an era of misinformation and polarization, developing strong information and media literacy skills has become imperative. These skills allow us to critically analyze content, evaluate sources, and make informed choices about how we consume and engage with media. As educators explore ways to improve media literacy education, examining the intersections with broader socio-economic factors…
The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) poses exciting possibilities as well as ethical challenges. As AI systems become more sophisticated and integrated into our lives, ensuring they align with human values and interests becomes imperative. But how can we achieve this goal? Alignment refers to developing AI that behaves in accordance with the preferences,…
Quick Summary In his latest book “A Hacker’s Mind: How the Powerful Bend Society’s Rules, and How to Bend Them Back”, security expert Bruce Schneier explores how people with power, influence, and technical skills can exploit systems for their own gain. He provides insight into the hacker mindset and how regular people can fight back…
In today’s world, where education and technology are inextricably intertwined, it’s imperative to engage in thoughtful discussions about how capitalism influences these domains. Capitalism, with its principles of profit maximization and market dynamics, can wield considerable influence over how we access, perceive, and utilize edTo foster constructive dialogues and critiques in this arena, we need…
In the rapidly evolving landscape of education, online modules have emerged as a powerful tool for professional development. For pre-service teachers seeking to understand the intricacies of phonics and phonics instruction, these modules offer a plethora of opportunities. However, as with any innovative approach, there are challenges that must be navigated. In this blog post,…
Quick Summary Radical Technologies: The Design of Everyday Life provides a nuanced examination of how emerging technologies like AI, cryptocurrencies, and self-driving cars are impacting society. Author Adam Greenfield analyzes the complex ethics, economics, and psychology involved. Extended Summary The proliferation of new technologies is fundamentally changing how we live, work, and interact. In his…