Audre Lorde's "The Uses of the Erotic" is a powerful essay exploring the erotic as a source of power and creativity. Lorde argues that the erotic is not merely sexual but encompasses a range of experiences that connect us to our deepest selves and our creative potential. She challenges the societal suppression of the erotic, particularly for women and people of color, and emphasizes its importance in fostering self-knowledge and social change. The essay's central theme is the reclamation of the erotic as a vital force for personal and political transformation. Lorde's work has had a profound impact on feminist and queer theory, inspiring generations to embrace their sensuality and power.
In 'Pleasure Activism,' Adrienne Maree Brown challenges traditional notions of activism by arguing that pleasure and joy are central to social justice and personal liberation. The book draws on Black feminist traditions and includes essays, reflections, and contributions from various feminist thinkers such as Audre Lorde, Octavia Butler, and Sonya Renee Taylor. It covers a wide range of topics including sex work, climate change, race, gender, and the politics of pleasure. Brown advocates for a mindset shift in activism, suggesting that feeling good is not frivolous but essential for collective liberation and personal fulfillment[3][4][5].
In 'Blink', Malcolm Gladwell explores the concept of 'thin-slicing', the ability of our unconscious mind to make rapid decisions based on limited information. The book delves into both the strengths and pitfalls of this process, using examples from various fields such as psychology, medicine, sales, and law enforcement. Gladwell discusses how these snap judgments can be both incredibly accurate and sometimes tragically wrong, influenced by factors like prejudice, stereotypes, and psychological priming. He also examines how experts develop their intuitive judgment through experience and training, and how stressful situations can affect our decision-making abilities.
In 'Pleasure Activism,' Adrienne Maree Brown challenges traditional notions of activism by arguing that pleasure and joy are central to social justice and personal liberation. The book draws on Black feminist traditions and includes essays, reflections, and contributions from various feminist thinkers such as Audre Lorde, Octavia Butler, and Sonya Renee Taylor. It covers a wide range of topics including sex work, climate change, race, gender, and the politics of pleasure. Brown advocates for a mindset shift in activism, suggesting that feeling good is not frivolous but essential for collective liberation and personal fulfillment[3][4][5].
In this book, Dr. Bessel van der Kolk uses recent scientific advances to show how trauma reshapes both the body and brain, compromising sufferers’ capacities for pleasure, engagement, self-control, and trust. He explores various treatments, including neurofeedback, meditation, sports, drama, and yoga, which activate the brain’s natural neuroplasticity to aid in recovery. The book emphasizes the power of relationships in both causing and healing trauma and offers hope through descriptions of novel approaches to treatment. It is based on Dr. van der Kolk’s own research and that of other leading specialists in the field[1][2][5].
In 'How to Eat,' Nigella Lawson presents a unique approach to cooking, emphasizing the importance of enjoying and understanding food rather than just following recipes. The book is written from the perspective of an eater rather than a professional chef, making it relatable and accessible. It covers various aspects of cooking, including basics, dinner recipes, Sunday lunches, and feeding children, all presented in Nigella's engaging and descriptive writing style. The book lacks photographs but is rich in culinary advice and practical recipes that can be adapted to real-life cooking scenarios[1][3][5].
Our culture has oddly conflicting views about pleasure.
In this episode, author adrienne maree brown explores the importance of pleasure and how it changes your experience of the world.
adrienne maree brown is the writer-in-residence at the Emergent Strategy Ideation Institute, and author of Grievers (the first novella in a trilogy on the Black Dawn imprint), Holding Change: The Way of Emergent Strategy Facilitation and Mediation, We Will Not Cancel Us and Other Dreams of Transformative Justice, Pleasure Activism: The Politics of Feeling Good, Emergent Strategy: Shaping Change, Changing Worlds and the co-editor of Octavia’s Brood: Science Fiction from Social Justice Movements and How to Get Stupid White Men Out of Office. She is the cohost of the How to Survive the End of the World, Octavia’s Parables and Emergent Strategy podcasts. adrienne is rooted in Detroit.
In this conversation we talked about:
- What is pleasure activism
- The role of sex and drugs
- Why we should say yes more
- How to be in touch with our sense of “enough”
- The role of gratitude
- The line between commitment and detachment
- How she defines authentic happiness
- Her self-description as “a recovering self-righteous organizer,” and why self-righteousness actually leads to powerlessness
Content Warning: Discussions of sex and drugs.
Full Shownotes: https://www.tenpercent.com/podcast-episode/adrienne-maree-brown-458
10% Happier with Dan Harris 
