Suggested readings, #43

Here are some interesting articles I’ve come across recently, for your consideration:

The post-human Enlightenment, a review of Fiction Without Humanity: Person, Animal, Thing in Early Enlightenment Literature and Culture, by Lynn Festa. (Public Books)

If you’re angry, you’re part of the problem, not the solution. What we need is restraint — not rage. (Medium)

Welcome to the age of impunity: David Miliband’s World Economic Forum speech. (International Rescue Committee)

It’s time to free your e-reading from Amazon. (Medium)

You are now remotely controlled. Surveillance capitalists control the science and the scientists, the secrets and the truth. (New York Times)

How life improved when I gave up on the news. The benefits of a “media diet” (Medium)

Psychology still skews western and affluent. Can it be fixed? Critics have argued that these biases present an imperfect view of the human mind. Why is it so hard to correct? (Salon)

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Massimo

Massimo is the K.D. Irani Professor of Philosophy at the City College of New York. He blogs at platofootnote.org and howtobeastoic.org. He is the author of How to Be a Stoic: Using Ancient Philosophy to Live a Modern Life.

4 thoughts on “Suggested readings, #43”

  1. Per one piece, I’d say it’s better yet to STOP READING E-“BOOKS” and get this thing called a “book.” A lot of studies have shown we read an actual book differently.

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    1. I’m aware of the studies, but there is nothing natural about reading books, in any format. And e-books are simply far more convenient. Especially if you travel. Or leave in a small apartment in New York City.

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  2. And given that many big NGOs have big capitalist footprints, I respectfully think Milliband is barking up the wrong tree if he expects such sweeping actions from them in stopping the Age of Impunity.

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  3. There’s nothing natural about wearing clothes. And many other things, too.

    But, on those unnatural things, the ones that are more useful are ones to be preferred. Paging Professors Hume and Mill to mash together an is ≠ ought and utilitarianism! :)

    On books vs. ebooks? An even better answer is Ye Olde Library with the addition of interlibrary loans out here in the hinterland. I own only about 200 books. AND, beyond the psychology-utility angle, as far as books vs ebooks, well, you rent the ebook just like you rent your apartment. And, on remembering what’s important? That’s why I write such long Goodreads reviews! They’re often based on even longer notes.

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