How Sensitivity Readers Made Publishing More Racist w/Adam Szetela

"12 Rules for Life" is a self-help book that provides practical advice and philosophical insights for navigating the complexities of modern life. Drawing from psychology, mythology, religion, and personal anecdotes, Jordan Peterson presents twelve principles designed to help readers find meaning, take responsibility, and improve their lives. Each rule is explored in depth, offering guidance on topics such as standing up straight, making meaningful connections, and confronting chaos. The book encourages individuals to embrace personal growth, seek truth, and strive for self-improvement by adopting a disciplined and courageous approach to life's challenges. Peterson's work promotes individual responsibility as a pathway to personal fulfillment and societal well-being.

The novel follows the lives of two Indian Muslims, Gibreel Farishta and Saladin Chamcha, who survive a plane hijacking and subsequent explosion. As they fall from the plane, they are transformed into angelic and satanic figures. The story delves into various themes, including the founding of Islam through the character Mahound, the story of a visionary girl named Ayesha, and the struggles of identity and faith. The book is known for its complex, multilayered plot and its use of dreams within dreams, which generated significant controversy due to its satirical and imaginative treatment of Islamic themes.

The Hate U Give, written by Angie Thomas, is a young adult novel that follows the story of Starr Carter, a 16-year-old African-American girl who navigates between her impoverished inner-city neighborhood and her predominantly white private school. The novel centers around Starr's experience after witnessing the fatal shooting of her childhood friend, Khalil, by a white police officer. This event propels Starr into a national news story and leads to her involvement in social activism, highlighting themes of systemic racism, police brutality, black identity, and the struggles of code-switching. The book has been praised for its timely and powerful portrayal of the Black Lives Matter movement and the challenges faced by black Americans, although it has also faced controversy and been one of the most challenged books in recent years.

In this classic dystopian novel, Ray Bradbury depicts a future American society where books are outlawed and 'firemen' are tasked with burning any discovered. The protagonist, Guy Montag, is a fireman who starts to question his role after encountering Clarisse, a young girl who loves nature and reading. As Montag delves deeper into the world of books, he begins to see the emptiness of his life and the dangers of a society that values entertainment over critical thinking and intellectual freedom. With the help of Faber, a retired English professor, Montag rebels against the system, leading to a confrontation with his fire chief, Captain Beatty, and ultimately joining a group of intellectuals who have memorized books to preserve knowledge for a post-apocalyptic future.

American Psycho is a black comedy horror novel that critiques the superficiality and materialism of 1980s Wall Street culture through the character of Patrick Bateman, a charismatic but sociopathic investment banker. The novel explores themes of identity, consumerism, and the blurring of reality and fantasy. It is known for its graphic violence and dark humor, offering a commentary on the excesses of capitalist society.