Cancel Culture Is Over, If We Want It

In 'So You've Been Publicly Shamed', Jon Ronson delves into the phenomenon of online shaming and its historical antecedents. The book features interviews with individuals who have been subjected to intense public shaming, including Jonah Lehrer, a journalist who plagiarized quotes, and a woman who was shamed for a tweet at an airport. Ronson also speaks with practitioners of modern public humiliation and examines the immediate and long-term consequences of such shaming. The book raises questions about righteousness, reputation, and conformity in the context of social media and its impact on individuals and society.

Mike Davis's "Planet of Slums" offers a stark portrayal of global urbanization and its consequences. The book argues that rapid urbanization, particularly in developing countries, has led to the proliferation of vast informal settlements characterized by poverty, inadequate infrastructure, and social exclusion. Davis analyzes the historical and economic forces driving this phenomenon, highlighting the role of neoliberal policies and globalization. He critiques the failures of governments and international institutions to address the needs of slum dwellers, emphasizing the urgent need for alternative approaches to urban development. The book's powerful imagery and compelling narrative have made it a seminal text in urban studies and development discourse.

In 'The 4-Hour Workweek', Timothy Ferriss presents a step-by-step guide to 'lifestyle design', encouraging readers to question the traditional notion of retirement and instead create a lifestyle that prioritizes freedom, adventure, and personal growth. The book teaches how to outsource life tasks, automate income, and eliminate unnecessary work using principles like the 80/20 rule and Parkinson’s Law. Ferriss shares his personal journey from a corporate workaholic to a location-independent entrepreneur and provides practical tips and case studies to help readers achieve similar results. The book emphasizes the importance of focusing on high-value activities, taking 'mini-retirements', and living life to the fullest in the present rather than deferring enjoyment until retirement.

The Secret by Rhonda Byrne introduces the concept of the law of attraction, which suggests that positive thoughts can attract positive outcomes in life. The book outlines a three-step process: ask, believe, and receive. Byrne emphasizes the importance of gratitude, visualization, and maintaining a positive mindset to achieve one's desires. The book covers various areas such as prosperity, relationships, health, and happiness, and includes examples and quotes from historical and modern-day teachers who have allegedly used this principle to achieve their goals.

The Wall is a collection of five short stories by Jean-Paul Sartre, published in 1939. The title story, 'The Wall,' is set during the Spanish Civil War and depicts the mental and emotional struggles of three political prisoners on the eve of their execution by a firing squad. The story delves into themes of existentialism, death, and the human condition, as the prisoners grapple with their impending doom and the meaning of their lives. The collection also includes other psychological tales that explore themes of madness, sexuality, and the human condition.