Racism in America
Anthony Abraham Jack; Kwame Anthony Appiah; Vivek Bald
This comprehensive reader delves into the multifaceted history and ongoing impact of racism in America. Featuring excerpts from seminal works by leading scholars such as Toni Morrison, Walter Johnson, Kwame Anthony Appiah, and others, it explores the systemic nature of racial injustice across historical, social, economic, and cultural landscapes. From the antebellum slave market to mass incarceration and unconscious bias in healthcare, this anthology offers critical insights into the enduring presence of racism and its profound influence on American society and identity.
Billionaire Wilderness
Justin Farrell
Dive into the exclusive world of the ultra-wealthy in Teton County, Wyoming, where immense fortunes intersect with pristine wilderness. This groundbreaking sociological study explores how the super-rich navigate economic dilemmas, social stigmas, and personal guilt by leveraging nature and romanticized rural communities. Through extensive research and paired interviews with both billionaires and the working poor, the book uncovers the complex interplay of wealth, inequality, and environmentalism, revealing the profound impact of this powerful, yet rarely studied, social group on the American West and beyond.
The Influencer Industry
Emily Hund
Dive into a critical history of the influencer industry, tracing its evolution from nascent online communities to a multibillion-dollar global phenomenon. Emily Hund meticulously unpacks how the elusive concept of 'authenticity' became a commodified asset, shaping not only digital marketing but also our understanding of self, culture, and economic value. This book reveals the complex interplay between influencers, brands, social media platforms, and society, exposing the profound societal consequences of an industry built on curated reality.
American Prison
Shane Bauer
An eye-opening account of the American prison system, blending first-hand reporting with historical analysis to reveal the disturbing realities of for-profit incarceration. Shane Bauer goes undercover as a prison guard, exposing the inner workings of a private prison and its impact on inmates and society.
Americanah
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Americanah is a sweeping and incisive novel that follows Ifemelu, a young Nigerian woman, as she navigates the complexities of race, identity, and belonging in America. After leaving military-ruled Nigeria for a promising academic career in the United States, Ifemelu discovers that her blackness is suddenly defined in new and unexpected ways. Through her insightful and often humorous blog, "Raceteenth or Various Observations About American Blacks (Those Formerly Known as Negroes) by a Non-American Black," she explores the nuances of race in America, while grappling with her own evolving sense of self. Meanwhile, her first love, Obinze, struggles with his own immigrant journey in London, facing the harsh realities of undocumented life. As their paths diverge and converge, the novel delves into themes of love, loss, ambition, and the enduring question of where one truly belongs.
Unmasking AI
Joy Buolamwini
In 'Unmasking AI,' Joy Buolamwini, a pioneering AI researcher and activist, recounts her journey from an MIT graduate student discovering algorithmic bias to a leading advocate for ethical AI. Through personal anecdotes, scientific exploration, and a call for algorithmic justice, Buolamwini exposes the 'coded gaze'—the embedded prejudices in AI systems—and reveals how these technologies can perpetuate discrimination, from facial recognition failures to harmful decision-making in critical sectors. This book is a powerful and urgent call to action, inviting readers to understand and reshape the future of AI to protect humanity.
Bullshit Jobs
David Graeber
"Bullshit Jobs" is a provocative and sharply funny anthropological examination of the modern workplace, written by the late David Graeber, a prominent leader in the Occupy Wall Street movement. The book expands on his viral 2013 essay, investigating a curious economic paradox: In 1930, John Maynard Keynes predicted that technology would allow us to work fifteen-hour weeks. Instead, we are working more than ever, often in roles that seem to serve no purpose. Graeber defines a "bullshit job" as a form of paid employment that is so completely pointless, unnecessary, or pernicious that even the employee cannot justify its existence—though they must pretend otherwise. He classifies these jobs into five distinct taxonomies, including "Flunkies" (who exist only to make their superiors look important) and "Box Tickers" (who create the illusion that an organization is doing something). The book explores the profound psychological toll this takes on the human soul, describing it as "spiritual violence." Graeber argues that our society has developed an inverse relationship between the social value of work and its compensation—caregivers and teachers are paid the least, while those in "bullshit" corporate sectors are paid the most. It is a searing indictment of managerial capitalism and a call to rethink the very nature of labor.
Amusing Ourselves to Death
Neil Postman
In "Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business," Neil Postman presents a compelling critique of modern media, arguing that its emphasis on entertainment undermines serious public discourse. Drawing a contrast between the dystopian visions of George Orwell and Aldous Huxley, Postman suggests that Huxley's vision of a society controlled by pleasure and triviality is more relevant to contemporary culture. The book explores how the shift towards a television-dominated culture transforms all forms of communication into entertainment, using Las Vegas as a metaphor for this phenomenon. Readers will embark on a historical journey, examining the evolution of communication from oral traditions to print, and its impact on how societies define truth and knowledge. The book delves into the profound influence of the printed word on American culture, highlighting the "Age of Exposition" and the rationality fostered by print-based discourse. Through insightful analysis and historical context, "Amusing Ourselves to Death" challenges readers to consider the ways in which media shapes their understanding of the world and the potential consequences for public life. The Twentieth Anniversary Edition includes reflections from Neil Postman's son, Andrew Postman, on the book's enduring relevance in the age of digital technologies.