Language
Paradoxes: The Surprising Secret to Effective Communication?
The most mind-blowingly effective communication tool may be the paradox. Imagine intentionally contradicting yourself to ignite curiosity, not confusion.
The shocking meaning of 9 common words (that you use everyday...)
You are using the word comfort wrong. Democracy and demon both come from the same Latin root. Dig below the surface of everyday language and you often find twisted origin stories. A memo about the dark side of "humility," the real meaning of "ambition," and more. 👇🏻
Gender Trouble: Judith Butler’s seminal work in 40 points
Feminism is one of the great movements of the last 150 years, but to some philosophers it became part of the establishment and now aggressively defends its territory.
“Bullshit”: why it’s not the same as lies
In 2005, Harry Frankfurt’s little book of only 67 pages – On Bullshit - became a surprise bestseller.
Your 2-Minute Guide to the Philosophy of Bertrand Russell
Bertrand Russell, a titan of philosophy, reshaped our understanding of reality with "logical atomism". It's not just a theory; it's a revolution in thinking, insisting the world is simpler than we make it out to be.
Coined by Carlyle
Introduction. For Charles Darwin, Thomas Carlyle was the man "most worth listening to." Carlyle wrote the best-known historical work of his age on the French Revolution, gave lectures to packed auditoriums, and coined the following words and phrases for the very first time 👇
How speech helped humans CONQUER the world
Introduction. Every year, since 1972, a public intellectual is invited to deliver the Jefferson Lecture in Humanities. Thinkers who can "communicate the knowledge and wisdom of the humanities in a broadly appealing way" are selected. In 2006, the winner was Tom Wolfe👇
The sociologist who invented phrases like "role model" and "self-fulfilling prophecy"
Intro. Robert Merton is the father of sociology. But he was no boring academic whose books set off, in his readers, a sudden and irresistible desire to nap. He was a brilliant wordsmith and coined many phrases which are now part of everyday speech. You've used them too. Dig in:
9 metaphors to supercharge your thinking
Introduction. Metaphors make our speech interesting. By comparing apparently unrelated things and drawing strange connections, metaphors make conversation psychedelic. In this Memo, discover 9 metaphors that will make you see humans, conversations, and politics in a new light👇
When a writer becomes a WORD - understand "Orwellian" and more
Introduction. Some writers and historical figures leave such a deep impact on culture that their very names become loaded with meaning. Learn the origin of adjectives like Orwellian, Quixotic, Masochistic, and more👇