Thanks, Obama

In 'Shall We Wake the President? ', Tevi Troy explores the evolving role of the president in dealing with disasters, including health crises, terror attacks, economic upheaval, bioterror and cyber-attacks, natural disasters, and civil breakdown. The book provides historical examples of presidential responses to disasters, such as the Spanish influenza epidemic under President Woodrow Wilson, Hurricane Katrina under President George W. Bush, and other significant events. Troy also offers insights on how individuals can prepare for disasters and how policy strategies can be informed by past presidential actions.

In 'We Have Never Been Modern,' Bruno Latour challenges the conventional understanding of modernity by arguing that the strict divisions between nature and society, science and culture, are constructs rather than realities. He contends that modernity is characterized by a dual process of 'purification' and 'hybridization,' where moderns attempt to separate nature from society but inevitably create hybrids that mix politics, science, technology, and nature. Latour suggests that these hybrids, such as environmental crises and technological advancements, reveal the limitations of modern thought and the need for a more integrated understanding of the world. The book advocates for rethinking the definition and constitution of modernity to better address contemporary challenges.