Kate Crawford’s “Atlas of AI” presents a unique perspective on artificial intelligence (AI). Rather than focusing solely on its technical aspects, she delves into the often-overlooked societal implications of AI, including its environmental footprint, political consequences, and ethical dilemmas. The Book in Three Sentences “Atlas of AI” by Kate Crawford is an insightful exploration of…
Posts in "CONSUME"
The Paradox of White Racial Resentment: A Review of ‘Dying of Whiteness’
Author Jonathan M Metzl, a psychiatrist and sociologist, delves into the health implications of certain political ideologies and policies on white working-class Americans. In particular, he examines the impact of conservative politics on their health outcomes. “Dying of Whiteness: How the Politics of Racial Resentment Is Killing America’s Heartland” is an in-depth exploration of race…
Exploring Humanity Through a Galactic Lens
Adrian Tchaikovsky’s sci-fi novel Children of Time crafts a stunning narrative about the bounds of human nature and evolution’s power across cosmic timescales. In a desperate attempt to preserve life on a dying Earth, humans seed potential planets with monkeys to rebuild civilization across the galaxy. On one planet, things evolve in unexpected ways as…
Reckoning with Slavery’s Legacy Across America
In How the Word Is Passed, Clint Smith embarks on a tour of sites pivotal to the history of slavery and racial injustice in the United States. This timely book provides a compelling confrontation about how America fails to properly memorialize the enslaved people who built the country. The book in three sentences Clint Smith…
Down the QAnon Rabbit Hole
In Trust the Plan, Daily Beast reporter Will Sommer delves into the origins and evolution of the QAnon conspiracy theory movement. His book provides important context for how QAnon gained traction and influenced American politics. The book in three sentences The book examines the rise of the QAnon conspiracy theory, which baselessly claimed Donald Trump…
Boost Your Learning Through Effective Note-Taking
In How to Take Smart Notes, author Sönke Ahrens makes the case that note-taking is not just for capturing information but for clarifying and generating thoughts. Ahrens provides insights and techniques to use notes as a tool to truly enhance learning. The book in three sentences The book outlines slip-boxing, a note-taking workflow where you…
Examining Human History and Evolution in Sapiens
In his grand-scale book Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, historian Yuval Noah Harari provides a sweeping history of humankind that delves into our evolution, impact, and potential future. This uniquely broad perspective makes it a fascinating read for anyone interested in who we are and how we got here. The book in three sentences…
The Complex Role of Social Media in Protest Movements – A Review of Twitter and Tear Gas
In Twitter and Tear Gas: The Power and Fragility of Networked Protest, sociologist Zeynep Tufekci examines the intricate relationship between social media and social movements. This timely book provides important insights into how modern protest unfolds with the rise of networked technologies. The book in three sentences: The book examines how social media has changed…
The Dangers of Unchecked Algorithms – A Review of Weapons of Math Destruction
In her insightful book Weapons of Math Destruction, mathematician and data scientist Cathy O’Neil exposes how algorithms and big data can perpetuate inequality and erode democracy. As algorithms increasingly run our lives, this is an important book for understanding their unintended consequences. Weapons of Math Destruction explores how algorithms are being used to make important…
The Allure and Risks of New Edtech
Educational technology continues to advance at a rapid pace, bringing exciting new possibilities into the classroom. Chatbots, virtual reality, and AI-powered tutors promise to revolutionize learning. But, in our eagerness to embrace the latest innovations, are we approaching them with a critical eye? As educators, we must carefully consider not only what we could do…