A Mug of Insights 003: Future of The Humanities, Reading as a Hobby and Tools for Finishing a Difficult Book
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Aug 10, 2024 
Join Jonathan Haidt, a leading author on psychology and morality; Rita Felski, a cultural critic and literary scholar; and Lydia Davis, an acclaimed short story writer, as they explore the future of humanities education in a digital landscape. They discuss how sharing knowledge online is reshaping perceptions and relevance. The trio also dives into strategies for tackling difficult books, offering insights on the importance of approach and mindset, whether for pleasure or project-based reading.
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Postgrad Humanities: Bureaucracy vs Insight
- Postgraduate humanities research often involves bureaucratic hurdles and pressures focused on productivity over understanding.
- The future of humanities lies outside traditional academia, thriving in accessible digital platforms like podcasts and video essays.
Enjoy Reading Through Emotional Connection
- When reading literature purely for pleasure, trust your instincts and focus on emotional response rather than over-analyzing.
- Developing a love for a text before engaging in academic critique enhances the reading experience.
Tackle Difficult Books as Projects
- Treat difficult books as projects with dedicated mindsets and use inspectional, analytical reading, and note-taking to manage complexity.
- Use tools like flowcharts and summaries for nonfiction and aim for immersion with fiction for deeper understanding.