#1558 - Tristan Harris

Written in 1958, 'Brave New World Revisited' is a collection of essays where Aldous Huxley examines the validity of his earlier novel's predictions about a dystopian future. Huxley discusses various social problems, including overpopulation, over-organization by 'Big Business' and 'Big Government', and the dangers of mass media and propaganda. He argues that the world is moving faster towards the dystopia he described in 'Brave New World', characterized by non-violent totalitarianism and the manipulation of people through subconscious persuasion and chemical control. The book concludes with a call for reeducation in individual liberty and democracy to prevent the erosion of personal freedom.

In this book, Neil Postman argues that the contemporary world is more akin to Aldous Huxley's 'Brave New World' than George Orwell's '1984'. Postman contends that television's emphasis on entertainment has led to a decline in rational discourse and the trivialization of politics, education, and religion. He contrasts the print-based culture of the 19th century with the televisual culture of the 20th century, highlighting how the medium of television inherently promotes incoherence and triviality, turning serious information into a form of entertainment.

Bury the Chains chronicles the late 18th- and early 19th-century anti-slavery movement in the British Empire, highlighting key figures like Thomas Clarkson and William Wilberforce. The book explores the campaign's tactics and setbacks, ultimately leading to the abolition of slavery in 1838. It also draws parallels with modern social justice movements, showcasing the pioneering methods used by the abolitionists.

Written in 1931 and published in 1932, 'Brave New World' is a dystopian novel set in a futuristic World State where humans are bred in vitro and predestined into a rigid social hierarchy. The novel explores themes of technological advancement, social conditioning, and the loss of individuality and freedom. The story revolves around characters such as Bernard Marx, an Alpha who questions the society, Mustapha Mond, the World Controller, and John, a 'Savage' from a reservation who introduces elements of emotion and individuality into the highly controlled World State. The novel critiques the optimism of technological progress and its potential to create a society that values stability and happiness over humanity and freedom.

Sherry Turkle's "Reclaiming Conversation" delves into the impact of technology on human connection and communication. The book explores how our reliance on digital devices affects our ability to engage in meaningful face-to-face interactions. Turkle argues that technology, while offering convenience, can hinder our capacity for empathy and genuine understanding. She emphasizes the importance of fostering authentic communication in an increasingly digital world. The book offers valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities of navigating the complexities of human interaction in the digital age.

In this revised and expanded edition of the groundbreaking New York Times bestseller, Dan Ariely uses a series of illuminating experiments to show how expectations, emotions, social norms, and other invisible forces skew our reasoning abilities. Ariely explains how we consistently overpay, underestimate, and procrastinate, and how these behaviors are neither random nor senseless but systematic and predictable. The book covers various aspects of decision-making, from the power of placebos to the effects of social and financial norms, and offers insights into how to make better decisions by understanding these irrational patterns.

Sherry Turkle's "Alone Together" explores the paradoxical nature of human connection in the digital age. The book examines how technology, while connecting us globally, can simultaneously isolate us from meaningful interactions. Turkle highlights the complexities of online relationships and the potential for both intimacy and alienation. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the psychological impact of technology on our sense of self and our relationships with others. The book offers a thought-provoking analysis of the evolving human experience in a technologically advanced world.

In this book, Daniel Kahneman takes readers on a tour of the mind, explaining how the two systems of thought shape our judgments and decisions. System 1 is fast, automatic, and emotional, while System 2 is slower, effortful, and logical. Kahneman discusses the impact of cognitive biases, the difficulties of predicting future happiness, and the effects of overconfidence on corporate strategies. He offers practical insights into how to guard against mental glitches and how to benefit from slow thinking in both personal and business life. The book also explores the distinction between the 'experiencing self' and the 'remembering self' and their roles in our perception of happiness.