🎭 Altruism Critique

Sharp examinations of whether selfless giving is ever truly selfless—and whether good intentions reliably produce good outcomes. These books probe the psychology, economics, and unintended consequences of doing good.

The Life You Can Save

by Peter Singer • 2009

Child drowning: you'd wade in. Child dying of malaria: $10 saves her. The moral math is identical.

4.15

7k+

🧮 Effective Altruism 🌍 Global Poverty ⚖️ Utilitarian Ethics 💝 Charitable Giving 🌐 Global Justice

The Life You Can Save 90%

Child drowning: you'd wade in. Child dying of malaria: $10 saves her. The moral math is identical.

by Peter Singer 2009

4.15

7k+ ratings

🧮 Effective Altruism 🌍 Global Poverty ⚖️ Utilitarian Ethics 💝 Charitable Giving 🌐 Global Justice

Strangers Drowning

by Larissa MacFarquhar • 2015

They give kidneys and fortunes to strangers. Why their goodness is more unsettling than inspiring.

3.91

3k+

🤲 Extreme Altruism ⚖️ Moral Demandingness 💡 Effective Altruism 🧠 Moral Psychology 🐾 Animal Rights

Strangers Drowning 89%

They give kidneys and fortunes to strangers. Why their goodness is more unsettling than inspiring.

by Larissa MacFarquhar 2015

3.91

3k+ ratings

🤲 Extreme Altruism ⚖️ Moral Demandingness 💡 Effective Altruism 🧠 Moral Psychology 🐾 Animal Rights

Doing Good Better

by William MacAskill • 2015

The most effective charities outperform the rest a hundredfold, and popularity points the wrong way.

4.17

8k+

🧮 Effective Altruism 📊 Evidence-Based Giving 🌍 Global Poverty ⚖️ Utilitarianism 💼 Career Strategy

Doing Good Better 89%

The most effective charities outperform the rest a hundredfold, and popularity points the wrong way.

by William MacAskill 2015

4.17

8k+ ratings

🧮 Effective Altruism 📊 Evidence-Based Giving 🌍 Global Poverty ⚖️ Utilitarianism 💼 Career Strategy

On Kindness

by Adam Phillips • 2009

How kindness went from virtue to embarrassment. A compact history of what self-interest cost us.

3.54

707

📖 Intellectual History 🛋️ Psychoanalytic Thought 🤝 Altruism And Empathy 🪢 Human Interdependence 🔍 Cultural Criticism

On Kindness 89%

How kindness went from virtue to embarrassment. A compact history of what self-interest cost us.

by Adam Phillips 2009

3.54

707 ratings

📖 Intellectual History 🛋️ Psychoanalytic Thought 🤝 Altruism And Empathy 🪢 Human Interdependence 🔍 Cultural Criticism

The Most Good You Can Do

by Peter Singer • 2015

Your charitable instincts are probably wrong. A dollar overseas can do a hundred times more good.

3.80

4k+

🎯 Effective Altruism ⚖️ Utilitarianism 📊 Evidence-Based Charity 🌍 Global Poverty 💼 Social Impact Careers

The Most Good You Can Do 89%

Your charitable instincts are probably wrong. A dollar overseas can do a hundred times more good.

by Peter Singer 2015

3.80

4k+ ratings

🎯 Effective Altruism ⚖️ Utilitarianism 📊 Evidence-Based Charity 🌍 Global Poverty 💼 Social Impact Careers

Infectious Generosity

by Chris J. Anderson • 2024

Your act of kindness can now reach millions. The invisible wiring that makes generosity go viral.

3.62

1k+

🦠 Viral Altruism 🎁 Science Of Giving 💝 Non-Monetary Gifts 🌱 Conscious Business 🌍 Effective Altruism

Infectious Generosity 89%

Your act of kindness can now reach millions. The invisible wiring that makes generosity go viral.

by Chris J. Anderson 2024

3.62

1k+ ratings

🦠 Viral Altruism 🎁 Science Of Giving 💝 Non-Monetary Gifts 🌱 Conscious Business 🌍 Effective Altruism

Spoilt Rotten

by dalrymple-theodore • 2010

Sentiment now governs law, schools, and foreign aid. The cruelty that follows is no accident.

3.96

1k+

🏛️ Cultural Criticism 🗣️ Political Polemics 🔍 Rational Inquiry 🎭 Victimhood Culture ⚖️ Public Policy Critique

Spoilt Rotten 89%

Sentiment now governs law, schools, and foreign aid. The cruelty that follows is no accident.

by dalrymple-theodore 2010

3.96

1k+ ratings

🏛️ Cultural Criticism 🗣️ Political Polemics 🔍 Rational Inquiry 🎭 Victimhood Culture ⚖️ Public Policy Critique

Respect in a World of Inequality

by Richard Sennett • 2003

Invisibility is inequality's deepest cut; the systems meant to heal it often cut deeper.

3.69

244

🗽 Social Inequality 🏆 Meritocracy Critique 🏛️ Welfare State 🎁 Gift Economies 🤝 Recognition And Dignity

Respect in a World of Inequality Summary

Respect in a World of Inequality 89%

Invisibility is inequality's deepest cut; the systems meant to heal it often cut deeper.

by Richard Sennett 2003

3.69

244 ratings

🗽 Social Inequality 🏆 Meritocracy Critique 🏛️ Welfare State 🎁 Gift Economies 🤝 Recognition And Dignity

Anyway

by Kent M. Keith • 2001

Ten counter-intuitive rules for staying generous and sane in a world that rarely rewards either.

4.09

665

🧭 Meaning-Making 🤝 Altruism 🎯 Intrinsic Motivation ❤️ Unconditional Love 🛡️ Emotional Vulnerability

Anyway 88%

Ten counter-intuitive rules for staying generous and sane in a world that rarely rewards either.

by Kent M. Keith 2001

4.09

665 ratings

🧭 Meaning-Making 🤝 Altruism 🎯 Intrinsic Motivation ❤️ Unconditional Love 🛡️ Emotional Vulnerability

Standpoints

by Svend Brinkmann • 2018

Modernity wants a use for everything. Ten old ideas that refuse to earn their keep.

3.77

787

🚫 Anti-Self-Help 🧠 Existential Philosophy 🏛️ Virtue Ethics 🏙️ Modernity Critique 🤝 Ethics Of Care

Standpoints 88%

Modernity wants a use for everything. Ten old ideas that refuse to earn their keep.

by Svend Brinkmann 2018

3.77

787 ratings

🚫 Anti-Self-Help 🧠 Existential Philosophy 🏛️ Virtue Ethics 🏙️ Modernity Critique 🤝 Ethics Of Care

The Dark Sides of Empathy

by Fritz Breithaupt • 2019

Empathy can fuel cruelty: the more we feel another's pain, the more we enjoy inflicting it.

3.63

📚 Empathy Studies 🧭 Moral Psychology 🕳️ Dark Empathy 🦠 Emotional Parasitism 😈 Sadistic Pleasure

The Dark Sides of Empathy 88%

Empathy can fuel cruelty: the more we feel another's pain, the more we enjoy inflicting it.

by Fritz Breithaupt 2019

3.63

59 ratings

📚 Empathy Studies 🧭 Moral Psychology 🕳️ Dark Empathy 🦠 Emotional Parasitism 😈 Sadistic Pleasure

Morality

by Jonathan Sacks • 2019

Loneliness rivals smoking. Broken politics. Amoral markets. All from one trade: community for self.

4.34

2k+

🔗 Social Capital 🫂 Loneliness Epidemic 🧍 Individualism Critique 🏘️ Communitarianism 🪞 Self-Help Critique

Morality 88%

Loneliness rivals smoking. Broken politics. Amoral markets. All from one trade: community for self.

by Jonathan Sacks 2019

4.34

2k+ ratings

🔗 Social Capital 🫂 Loneliness Epidemic 🧍 Individualism Critique 🏘️ Communitarianism 🪞 Self-Help Critique

Altruism

by Matthieu Ricard • 2013

Selfishness is a myth. Altruism is a trainable skill, and the evidence says it's the missing lever.

4.24

977

🤝 Altruism Research ☸️ Buddhist Psychology 🕊️ Engaged Buddhism 🧬 Evolutionary Cooperation 🧘 Mind Training

Altruism 88%

Selfishness is a myth. Altruism is a trainable skill, and the evidence says it's the missing lever.

by Matthieu Ricard 2013

4.24

977 ratings

🤝 Altruism Research ☸️ Buddhist Psychology 🕊️ Engaged Buddhism 🧬 Evolutionary Cooperation 🧘 Mind Training

The Road to Character

by David Brooks • 2015

Two kinds of virtue compete in every life. The modern world only teaches the shallower one.

3.65

27k+

🧘 Virtue Ethics 🪴 Character Development 📖 Cultural Criticism 👤 Leadership Humility 🔍 Moral Self-Examination

The Road to Character 88%

Two kinds of virtue compete in every life. The modern world only teaches the shallower one.

by David Brooks 2015

3.65

27k+ ratings

🧘 Virtue Ethics 🪴 Character Development 📖 Cultural Criticism 👤 Leadership Humility 🔍 Moral Self-Examination

Friendship in an Age of Economics

by Todd May • 2012

The way we treat our friends is a political act, and market logic is quietly corrupting it.

3.72

📉 Neoliberal Critique 🤝 Philosophy Of Friendship 🏛️ Social Philosophy 🎭 Cultural Critique 🛒 Consumerism And Identity

Friendship in an Age of Economics Summary

Friendship in an Age of Economics 88%

The way we treat our friends is a political act, and market logic is quietly corrupting it.

by Todd May 2012

3.72

29 ratings

📉 Neoliberal Critique 🤝 Philosophy Of Friendship 🏛️ Social Philosophy 🎭 Cultural Critique 🛒 Consumerism And Identity

Giving Done Right

by Phil Buchanan • 2019

Nonprofits are not businesses. The distinct set of skills that effective giving actually requires.

3.85

146

🎯 Strategic Philanthropy 🏢 Nonprofit Management 📊 Impact Measurement 🌍 Effective Altruism 💰 Donor Advice

Giving Done Right 88%

Nonprofits are not businesses. The distinct set of skills that effective giving actually requires.

by Phil Buchanan 2019

3.85

146 ratings

🎯 Strategic Philanthropy 🏢 Nonprofit Management 📊 Impact Measurement 🌍 Effective Altruism 💰 Donor Advice

El Hombre Light

by Enrique Rojas • 1992

When everything is permitted and nothing matters, a new kind of person emerges: informed and hollow.

3.12

535

🏛️ Cultural Criticism 🧭 Moral Psychology 🛒 Consumerism Critique 🕳️ Existential Emptiness 📺 Media Critique

El Hombre Light 88%

When everything is permitted and nothing matters, a new kind of person emerges: informed and hollow.

by Enrique Rojas 1992

3.12

535 ratings

🏛️ Cultural Criticism 🧭 Moral Psychology 🛒 Consumerism Critique 🕳️ Existential Emptiness 📺 Media Critique

The Good-Enough Life

by Avram Alpert • 2022

Greatness culture exhausts us, shreds communities, and devours the planet. Sufficiency is the exit.

3.39

390

🧘 Sufficiency Philosophy 🔨 Anti-Perfectionism 🏛️ Critique Of Meritocracy 🌿 Degrowth Economics 🧬 Human Nature Debate

The Good-Enough Life 88%

Greatness culture exhausts us, shreds communities, and devours the planet. Sufficiency is the exit.

by Avram Alpert 2022

3.39

390 ratings

🧘 Sufficiency Philosophy 🔨 Anti-Perfectionism 🏛️ Critique Of Meritocracy 🌿 Degrowth Economics 🧬 Human Nature Debate

The Paradox of Generosity

by Christian Smith • 2014

The top 5% of givers are happier and healthier. The reason isn't money.

3.85

114

🎁 Generosity 🤝 Prosocial Behavior 😊 Positive Psychology 🌟 Abundance Mindset 🔗 Social Capital

The Paradox of Generosity 88%

The top 5% of givers are happier and healthier. The reason isn't money.

by Christian Smith 2014

3.85

114 ratings

🎁 Generosity 🤝 Prosocial Behavior 😊 Positive Psychology 🌟 Abundance Mindset 🔗 Social Capital

Winners Take All

by Anand Giridharadas • 2018

Elites promise to fix society. Their real project is keeping power exactly where it is.

4.13

17k+

🏛️ Elite Philanthropy 🎭 Elite Capture ⚙️ Technocratic Reform 📉 Market Critique 🗳️ Civic Engagement

Winners Take All 88%

Elites promise to fix society. Their real project is keeping power exactly where it is.

by Anand Giridharadas 2018

4.13

17k+ ratings

🏛️ Elite Philanthropy 🎭 Elite Capture ⚙️ Technocratic Reform 📉 Market Critique 🗳️ Civic Engagement

Bright-Sided

by Barbara Ehrenreich • 2009

America demands cheerfulness. It quiets dissent, blames victims, and helped cause the 2008 crash.

3.74

11k+

🚫 Toxic Positivity 🔍 Cultural Criticism 🔬 Pseudoscience Debunking ⛪ Prosperity Gospel 📚 Self-Help Critique

Bright-Sided 88%

America demands cheerfulness. It quiets dissent, blames victims, and helped cause the 2008 crash.

by Barbara Ehrenreich 2009

3.74

11k+ ratings

🚫 Toxic Positivity 🔍 Cultural Criticism 🔬 Pseudoscience Debunking ⛪ Prosperity Gospel 📚 Self-Help Critique

Moral Ambition

by Rutger Bregman • 2024

The 80,000-hour career: a guide to using it on solvable, neglected problems, not just paychecks.

3.76

13k+

🌍 Effective Altruism 💼 Social Impact Careers 🔄 Career Reinvention ⚠️ Existential Risk 📢 Activism Strategy

Moral Ambition 88%

The 80,000-hour career: a guide to using it on solvable, neglected problems, not just paychecks.

by Rutger Bregman 2024

3.76

13k+ ratings

🌍 Effective Altruism 💼 Social Impact Careers 🔄 Career Reinvention ⚠️ Existential Risk 📢 Activism Strategy

Status Anxiety

by Alain de Botton • 2004

Why you care what others think: not weakness, but modern life working as designed.

3.89

22k+

🏛️ Cultural Criticism 📊 Social Status 👀 Social Comparison ⚖️ Meritocracy Critique 🛒 Consumer Culture

Status Anxiety 88%

Why you care what others think: not weakness, but modern life working as designed.

by Alain de Botton 2004

3.89

22k+ ratings

🏛️ Cultural Criticism 📊 Social Status 👀 Social Comparison ⚖️ Meritocracy Critique 🛒 Consumer Culture

One Nation Under Therapy

by Christina Hoff Sommers • 2005

Therapy culture taught Americans to be fragile. Resilience and moral clarity are the antidote.

3.60

376

🧑‍⚕️ Therapeutic Culture 🏛️ Cultural Criticism ⚖️ Personal Accountability 🇺🇸 Civic Education 🛡️ Child Overprotection

One Nation Under Therapy 88%

Therapy culture taught Americans to be fragile. Resilience and moral clarity are the antidote.

by Christina Hoff Sommers 2005

3.60

376 ratings

🧑‍⚕️ Therapeutic Culture 🏛️ Cultural Criticism ⚖️ Personal Accountability 🇺🇸 Civic Education 🛡️ Child Overprotection

Whose Keeper? Social Science and Moral Obligation

by Alan Wolfe • 1989

Markets and states each fail at moral obligation. The answer hides where neither governs.

4.08

🏛️ Civil Society ⚖️ Moral Economy 🤝 Communitarianism 🏪 Market Limits 🏥 Welfare State Critique

Whose Keeper? Social Science and Moral Obligation Summary

Whose Keeper? Social Science and Moral Obligation 88%

Markets and states each fail at moral obligation. The answer hides where neither governs.

by Alan Wolfe 1989

4.08

13 ratings

🏛️ Civil Society ⚖️ Moral Economy 🤝 Communitarianism 🏪 Market Limits 🏥 Welfare State Critique

L'empathie est politique

by Samah Karaki • 2024

Feeling another's pain isn't neutral: it's a biased, exhausting act shaped by politics.

4.35

146

🏛️ Political Psychology 🤔 Empathy Skepticism 😈 Dehumanization 💔 Compassion Fatigue 📺 Media Framing

L'empathie est politique 88%

Feeling another's pain isn't neutral: it's a biased, exhausting act shaped by politics.

by Samah Karaki 2024

4.35

146 ratings

🏛️ Political Psychology 🤔 Empathy Skepticism 😈 Dehumanization 💔 Compassion Fatigue 📺 Media Framing

What Makes a Hero?

by Elizabeth Svoboda • 2013

Your brain gets a high from giving. Heroism is a trainable skill, not a lottery win.

3.34

128

🤝 Prosocial Behavior 🌟 Positive Psychology 🧘 Compassion Training 🦸 Moral Courage 🤲 Volunteering

What Makes a Hero? 88%

Your brain gets a high from giving. Heroism is a trainable skill, not a lottery win.

by Elizabeth Svoboda 2013

3.34

128 ratings

🤝 Prosocial Behavior 🌟 Positive Psychology 🧘 Compassion Training 🦸 Moral Courage 🤲 Volunteering

Life at the Bottom

by Theodore Dalrymple • 2001

Poverty didn't wreck the underclass. A set of ideas did—and intellectuals handed them down.

4.23

4k+

🏙️ Urban Poverty 🏛️ Welfare State Critique 🎭 Victimhood Culture 🌐 Cultural Relativism ✍️ Cultural Criticism

Life at the Bottom 88%

Poverty didn't wreck the underclass. A set of ideas did—and intellectuals handed them down.

by Theodore Dalrymple 2001

4.23

4k+ ratings

🏙️ Urban Poverty 🏛️ Welfare State Critique 🎭 Victimhood Culture 🌐 Cultural Relativism ✍️ Cultural Criticism

Team Human

by Douglas Rushkoff • 2019

Technology promised connection but atomized us. The fix is not code; it is reclaiming our humanity.

3.83

1k+

📱 Digital Criticism ⚠️ Algorithmic Bias 🧬 Social Creatures 🤝 Collective Action 🏘️ Localism

Team Human 88%

Technology promised connection but atomized us. The fix is not code; it is reclaiming our humanity.

by Douglas Rushkoff 2019

3.83

1k+ ratings

📱 Digital Criticism ⚠️ Algorithmic Bias 🧬 Social Creatures 🤝 Collective Action 🏘️ Localism

Suicidal Empathy

by Gad Saad • 2026

Too much empathy, aimed wrong, can destroy the civilization extending it. An evolutionary diagnosis.

4.16

1k+

🧠 Evolutionary Psychology 🗳️ Political Commentary 💔 Empathy Critique 🔬 Science And Ideology ⚖️ Trade-Off Thinking

Suicidal Empathy 88%

Too much empathy, aimed wrong, can destroy the civilization extending it. An evolutionary diagnosis.

by Gad Saad 2026

4.16

1k+ ratings

🧠 Evolutionary Psychology 🗳️ Political Commentary 💔 Empathy Critique 🔬 Science And Ideology ⚖️ Trade-Off Thinking

The Plus

by Greg Gutfeld • 2020

Cancel culture, mob thinking, and self-sabotage: one uncomfortable question takes on all three.

3.98

1k+

🙃 Anti-Self-Help 🎯 Cancel Culture 🧠 Intellectual Humility 🧍 Individualism 😏 Irreverent Self-Help

The Plus 88%

Cancel culture, mob thinking, and self-sabotage: one uncomfortable question takes on all three.

by Greg Gutfeld 2020

3.98

1k+ ratings

🙃 Anti-Self-Help 🎯 Cancel Culture 🧠 Intellectual Humility 🧍 Individualism 😏 Irreverent Self-Help

Why Liberalism Failed

by Patrick J. Deneen • 2018

Liberalism didn't fail despite its successes. Its successes broke it.

3.84

4k+

🏛️ Political Philosophy 🤝 Communitarianism 🧩 Individualism Critique 📉 Meritocracy Critique 🏚️ Civic Decline

Why Liberalism Failed 88%

Liberalism didn't fail despite its successes. Its successes broke it.

by Patrick J. Deneen 2018

3.84

4k+ ratings

🏛️ Political Philosophy 🤝 Communitarianism 🧩 Individualism Critique 📉 Meritocracy Critique 🏚️ Civic Decline

The Good Society

by Robert N. Bellah • 1991

Individualism gutted our institutions. Repair begins where the myth ends: we need each other.

3.66

105

🏘️ Communitarianism 🗳️ American Civic Life 🏛️ Democratic Theory 💰 Market Criticism ⚖️ Moral Economy

The Good Society 88%

Individualism gutted our institutions. Repair begins where the myth ends: we need each other.

by Robert N. Bellah 1991

3.66

105 ratings

🏘️ Communitarianism 🗳️ American Civic Life 🏛️ Democratic Theory 💰 Market Criticism ⚖️ Moral Economy

The Least of All Possible Evils

by Eyal Weizman • 2012

When humanitarian law calculates acceptable civilian deaths, it also makes them thinkable.

4.19

224

🩸 Aid And Complicity 🤷 Lesser Evil Logic 📊 Proportionality In War 🗺️ Spatial Politics 🌍 Critical Geography

The Least of All Possible Evils 87%

When humanitarian law calculates acceptable civilian deaths, it also makes them thinkable.

by Eyal Weizman 2012

4.19

224 ratings

🩸 Aid And Complicity 🤷 Lesser Evil Logic 📊 Proportionality In War 🗺️ Spatial Politics 🌍 Critical Geography

Ethics in the Real World

by Peter Singer • 2016

A philosopher's case that buying a luxury watch when children are dying is an ethical failure.

3.92

5k+

⚖️ Applied Ethics 🏛️ Moral Philosophy 🌍 Effective Altruism 📊 Utilitarianism 🐾 Animal Rights

Ethics in the Real World 87%

A philosopher's case that buying a luxury watch when children are dying is an ethical failure.

by Peter Singer 2016

3.92

5k+ ratings

⚖️ Applied Ethics 🏛️ Moral Philosophy 🌍 Effective Altruism 📊 Utilitarianism 🐾 Animal Rights

Moral Tribes

by Joshua D. Greene • 2013

Your moral brain has a tribal mode and a modern mode. The tribal one keeps winning.

4.02

3k+

🧠 Moral Psychology ⚖️ Utilitarianism 🔍 Cognitive Biases 🏴 Tribalism 🤝 Cooperation

Moral Tribes 87%

Your moral brain has a tribal mode and a modern mode. The tribal one keeps winning.

by Joshua D. Greene 2013

4.02

3k+ ratings

🧠 Moral Psychology ⚖️ Utilitarianism 🔍 Cognitive Biases 🏴 Tribalism 🤝 Cooperation

Culture Jam

by Kalle Lasn • 1999

The inside of your head is a billboard. Here is the spray paint.

3.63

2k+

🛒 Consumer Culture 🏢 Corporate Power 📺 Media Criticism 📢 Advertising Critique 🎭 Situationist Theory

Culture Jam 87%

The inside of your head is a billboard. Here is the spray paint.

by Kalle Lasn 1999

3.63

2k+ ratings

🛒 Consumer Culture 🏢 Corporate Power 📺 Media Criticism 📢 Advertising Critique 🎭 Situationist Theory

The Expanding Circle

by Peter Singer • 1981

Morality started with vampire bats, not God. Reason is taking it further than evolution ever could.

4.02

626

🧬 Evolutionary Ethics 📈 Moral Progress ⚖️ Utilitarianism 🧠 Evolutionary Psychology 🤝 Altruism

The Expanding Circle 87%

Morality started with vampire bats, not God. Reason is taking it further than evolution ever could.

by Peter Singer 1981

4.02

626 ratings

🧬 Evolutionary Ethics 📈 Moral Progress ⚖️ Utilitarianism 🧠 Evolutionary Psychology 🤝 Altruism

The Cost of Ambition

by Miroslav Volf • 2025

Superiority is a cage you build yourself. A theologian's case for ambition that needs no rivals.

4.06

196

✝️ Christian Theology 🔍 Social Comparison ⚠️ Ambition Critique 🏆 Humility And Honor 📖 Biblical Ethics

The Cost of Ambition 87%

Superiority is a cage you build yourself. A theologian's case for ambition that needs no rivals.

by Miroslav Volf 2025

4.06

196 ratings

✝️ Christian Theology 🔍 Social Comparison ⚠️ Ambition Critique 🏆 Humility And Honor 📖 Biblical Ethics

The Sorrows of Work

by The School of Life • 2019

Work fulfillment is nearly impossible by design. The reasons are structural, not personal.

3.84

505

🏭 Sociology Of Work 💰 Capitalism Critique 🧠 Workplace Psychology 🔍 Anti-Self-Help 🔨 Meaningful Work

The Sorrows of Work 87%

Work fulfillment is nearly impossible by design. The reasons are structural, not personal.

by The School of Life 2019

3.84

505 ratings

🏭 Sociology Of Work 💰 Capitalism Critique 🧠 Workplace Psychology 🔍 Anti-Self-Help 🔨 Meaningful Work

The Disappearance of Rituals

by Byung-Chul Han • 2019

Your exhaustion isn't overwork. It's a world that has stripped out every ritual.

3.98

3k+

📰 Cultural Criticism 🕊️ Ritual Studies 💰 Neoliberal Critique 🏘️ Loss Of Community 🏛️ Erosion Of Public Sphere

The Disappearance of Rituals 87%

Your exhaustion isn't overwork. It's a world that has stripped out every ritual.

by Byung-Chul Han 2019

3.98

3k+ ratings

📰 Cultural Criticism 🕊️ Ritual Studies 💰 Neoliberal Critique 🏘️ Loss Of Community 🏛️ Erosion Of Public Sphere

The Buy Nothing, Get Everything Plan

by Liesl Clark • 2020

A no-shopping plan that saves money, cuts waste, and turns neighbors into your best resource.

3.44

2k+

🧩 Anti-Consumerism 🎁 Gift Economies 🤝 Sharing Economy 🪴 Minimalism ♻️ Waste Reduction

The Buy Nothing, Get Everything Plan Summary

The Buy Nothing, Get Everything Plan 87%

A no-shopping plan that saves money, cuts waste, and turns neighbors into your best resource.

by Liesl Clark 2020

3.44

2k+ ratings

🧩 Anti-Consumerism 🎁 Gift Economies 🤝 Sharing Economy 🪴 Minimalism ♻️ Waste Reduction

In Mistrust We Trust

by Ivan Krastev • 2013

More rights, more information, less collective power: the paradox at the heart of modern democracy.

3.96

🏛️ Post-Democracy 🎓 Meritocracy Critique 📱 Digital Activism 🗳️ Political Distrust 🔍 Transparency Critique

In Mistrust We Trust 87%

More rights, more information, less collective power: the paradox at the heart of modern democracy.

by Ivan Krastev 2013

3.96

73 ratings

🏛️ Post-Democracy 🎓 Meritocracy Critique 📱 Digital Activism 🗳️ Political Distrust 🔍 Transparency Critique

The News

by Alain de Botton • 2014

Modern news breeds panic and distraction. A humanistic guide to staying sane amid the headlines.

3.58

3k+

📰 Media Criticism 🧠 Media Literacy ⚠️ Negativity Bias ⏳ Attention Economy 🎭 Cultural Criticism

The News 87%

Modern news breeds panic and distraction. A humanistic guide to staying sane amid the headlines.

by Alain de Botton 2014

3.58

3k+ ratings

📰 Media Criticism 🧠 Media Literacy ⚠️ Negativity Bias ⏳ Attention Economy 🎭 Cultural Criticism

On Being Nice

by The School of Life • 2017

We turned nice into a synonym for boring and bankrupt. That was a catastrophic misreading.

3.82

1k+

🤝 Social Virtues ⚖️ Everyday Ethics 💛 Kindness Practice 💝 Emotional Generosity 👥 Friendship Philosophy

On Being Nice 87%

We turned nice into a synonym for boring and bankrupt. That was a catastrophic misreading.

by The School of Life 2017

3.82

1k+ ratings

🤝 Social Virtues ⚖️ Everyday Ethics 💛 Kindness Practice 💝 Emotional Generosity 👥 Friendship Philosophy

The End of Reality

by Jonathan Taplin • 2023

Four billionaires want $20 trillion for Mars, the metaverse, crypto, immortality. Who pays?

3.92

540

🏢 Tech Oligarchy 🐍 Libertarian Critique 👁️ Surveillance Capitalism ₿ Crypto Critique 🧬 Transhumanism Critique

The End of Reality 87%

Four billionaires want $20 trillion for Mars, the metaverse, crypto, immortality. Who pays?

by Jonathan Taplin 2023

3.92

540 ratings

🏢 Tech Oligarchy 🐍 Libertarian Critique 👁️ Surveillance Capitalism ₿ Crypto Critique 🧬 Transhumanism Critique

One World

by Peter Singer • 2002

Borders do not contain carbon, missiles, or pandemics. They should not contain your conscience.

3.72

1k+

🌍 Global Ethics 🏛️ Cosmopolitanism 💡 Effective Altruism 🧮 Utilitarianism 🌡️ Climate Ethics

One World 87%

Borders do not contain carbon, missiles, or pandemics. They should not contain your conscience.

by Peter Singer 2002

3.72

1k+ ratings

🌍 Global Ethics 🏛️ Cosmopolitanism 💡 Effective Altruism 🧮 Utilitarianism 🌡️ Climate Ethics

The Revolt of the Elites and the Betrayal of Democracy

by Christopher Lasch • 1995

Democracy is threatened not by the masses but by an elite that has abandoned the public square.

3.95

2k+

🇺🇸 American Democracy 🏛️ Class Divide 🎓 Meritocracy Critique 🗣️ Public Discourse 🛋️ Therapeutic Culture

The Revolt of the Elites and the Betrayal of Democracy Summary

The Revolt of the Elites and the Betrayal of Democracy 87%

Democracy is threatened not by the masses but by an elite that has abandoned the public square.

by Christopher Lasch 1995

3.95

2k+ ratings

🇺🇸 American Democracy 🏛️ Class Divide 🎓 Meritocracy Critique 🗣️ Public Discourse 🛋️ Therapeutic Culture

Against the Web

by Michael Brooks • 2020

Internet 'free-thinkers' rebrand old defenses of hierarchy with pseudoscience and myth.

4.10

2k+

🐘 Right-Wing Ideology 💻 Internet Intellectuals 📺 Media Criticism ✊ Socialist Critique 🏭 Economic Democracy

Against the Web 87%

Internet 'free-thinkers' rebrand old defenses of hierarchy with pseudoscience and myth.

by Michael Brooks 2020

4.10

2k+ ratings

🐘 Right-Wing Ideology 💻 Internet Intellectuals 📺 Media Criticism ✊ Socialist Critique 🏭 Economic Democracy

Chasing Chaos

by Jessica Alexander • 2013

Humanitarian aid isn't what the brochures promise. A decade inside the machine shows why.

4.09

3k+

🌍 Humanitarian Aid 📋 Aid Industry Critique 🚨 Disaster Response ⚔️ Conflict Zones 😔 Compassion Fatigue

Chasing Chaos 87%

Humanitarian aid isn't what the brochures promise. A decade inside the machine shows why.

by Jessica Alexander 2013

4.09

3k+ ratings

🌍 Humanitarian Aid 📋 Aid Industry Critique 🚨 Disaster Response ⚔️ Conflict Zones 😔 Compassion Fatigue

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