Social Reality

Material Girls is a timely and trenchant critique of the influential theory that we all have an inner feeling known as a gender identity, and that this feeling is more socially significant than our biological sex. Professor Kathleen Stock surveys the philosophical ideas that led to this point, and closely interrogates each one, from De Beauvoir's statement that, 'One is not born, but rather becomes a woman' (an assertion she contends has been misinterpreted and repurposed), to Judith Butler's claim that language creates biological reality, rather than describing it.

The Naughty Nineties: The Triumph of the American Libido examines the scandal-strafed decade when our public and private lives began to blur due to the rise of the web, reality television, and the wholesale tabloidization of pop culture. In this comprehensive and often hilarious time capsule, David Friend combines detailed reporting with first-person accounts from many of the decade's singular personalities, from Anita Hill to Monica Lewinsky, Lorena Bobbitt to Heidi Fleiss, Jesse Jackson to key members of the Clinton, Dole, and Bush teams.

Thomas Sowell takes a tough, factual look at whether the civil rights movement has lived up to its hopes or its rhetoric. In the decades since the historic Supreme Court decision on desegregation, who has gained and who has lost? Which of the assumptions behind the civil rights revolution have stood the test of time, and which have proven to be mistaken or even catastrophic to those who were supposed to be helped?

Best-selling author Chris Mooney uses cutting-edge research to explain the psychology behind why today’s Republicans reject reality - it’s just part of who they are. From climate change to evolution, the rejection of mainstream science among Republicans is growing, as is the denial of expert consensus on the economy, American history, foreign policy, and much more. Why won’t Republicans accept things that most experts agree on? Why are they constantly fighting against the facts?

HOW DO POLITICIANS IN TODAY'S world attain power? How do nations become powerful? Why do human beings follow others unquestioningly, even if it is to their own detriment? What factors determine which politicians, nations and organizations will dominate the modern world? Through much of human history, societal control was determined by militaristic strength. Individuals and tribes fought to control vital resources and land.

Since its premiere in 2002, ABC’s The Bachelor has become a staple of American television. Now, discover the fascinating history of the show, uncover the ins and outs of the phenomenon that has become Bachelor Nation, and take a deeper look at what separates the winners from the losers. From how best to exit the limo on Night One, to strategies for making a run for the all-important First Impression Rose, to how to avoid being labeled a villain, this clear-eyed guide illustrates the rules and strategies any would-be contestant should know.

WELCOME TO THE CYBERSIDE. The body is obsolete. Memory is currency. And reality can be rewritten. James Reynolds was one of the engineers who built the Cyberside—a vast digital refuge created after the collapse of the physical world. Now he lives off-grid as a Taciturn, a hired gun with no identity, no allegiance, and no past he’s willing to revisit. Sent to a dying frontier town to eliminate a dangerous digital predator, James expects a routine kill. What he finds is Matilda—a Scry who doesn’t behave like any he’s hunted before, and who knows far too much about the world he ...

Are your manifestations taking too long to show up? And are you tired of waiting? Divine timing is a phrase that’s been floating around the spiritual community for quite some time now. It is the idea that everything in the Universe happens at "just the right moment" without you having any control over it. There are many missing links when it comes to law of attraction teachings. And one of the biggest ones is knowing how to close the gap between where you are and where you want to be. And even if you can't see a way out of your current reality, there is one.

Ever wondered about the discrepancies between Western perceptions of Islam and its genuine teachings? In a world where outward appearances can obscure deeper truths, this book delves into one of the most misinterpreted religions today. Elass reveals the stark discrepancies between the image of Islam portrayed by Western media and Muslim advocates and the religion’s genuine teachings and historical practices that remain less visible. The book navigates the core of Islam, challenging common narratives and shedding light on the traditional teachings at the heart of its sacred texts. Elass ...

Through more than 50 Koans - pleasingly paradoxical vignettes following the ancient Zen tradition - leading physicist Anthony Aguirre takes the listener across the world from West to East, and through ideas spanning the age, breadth, and depth of the Universe. Using these beguiling Koans (Could there be a civilization on a mote of dust? How much of your fate have you made?

Fictional stories have long held an uncanny power over hearts and minds, especially those of young people. In Dangerous Fictions, Lyta Gold traces arguments both historical and contemporary that have labeled fiction as dark, immoral, frightening, or poisonous. Within each she asks: How “dangerous” is fiction, really? And what about it provokes waves of moral panic and even censorship?

Based on a viral article, 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act is the essential guide to understanding the Canadian legal document and its repercussion on generations of Indigenous peoples, written by a leading cultural sensitivity trainer. The Indian Act, after 141 years, continues to shape, control, and constrain the lives and opportunities of Indigenous peoples, and is at the root of many lasting stereotypes.

Virtual Reality (VR) is no longer just a concept from science fiction—it’s here, it’s accessible, and it’s revolutionizing the way we play, connect, and experience the world. Whether you’re a gamer looking for immersive adventures, a creative mind seeking new ways to express yourself, or simply curious about what VR has to offer, this book will guide you through the essentials of getting started. This book is designed for *everyone*—from tech novices who’ve never worn a headset to seasoned players looking to expand their experiences. You don’t need an expensive setup or ...

"My Faults: Love, Affair, & Destiny (The Story of Revenge)" is a fictional autobiography that explores the intricate layers of love, betrayal, and justice through the perspectives of its characters. Centered on Deb, a man caught in a turbulent emotional journey, the story delves into his troubled relationship with Piya, an ex-student with whom he shares a forbidden, complex bond that blurs the lines between mentorship and romantic desire. The narrative critically examines societal norms, family dynamics, and the consequences of emotional addiction, guilt, and unfulfilled longing. As Deb's ...

In Step into the Metaverse, Dr. Mark van Rijmenam delivers a startlingly insightful discussion about how the world as we know it will fundamentally change as the physical and the digital worlds merge into the metaverse, impacting the everyday experiences of people, companies, and societies. The author maps out the extraordinary opportunities and challenges facing business leaders, consumers, regulators, policymakers, and other metaverse stakeholders trying to navigate the future of the Internet.

Readers and listeners have followed Jen Lancaster through job loss, sucky city living, weight loss attempts, and 1980s nostalgia. Now Jen chronicles her efforts to achieve cultural enlightenment, with some hilarious missteps and genuine moments of inspiration along the way. And she does so by any means necessary: reading canonical literature, viewing classic films, attending the opera, researching artisan cheeses, and even enrolling in etiquette classes to improve her social graces.

Parenting teenagers is one of the biggest challenges parents face. New realities make becoming independent more difficult. Teens are traveling a different road and are moving at a different pace than those of previous generations. Today's cultural environment is more complicated and confusing than ever. But fear not! Family expert Jim Burns provides a handy guide for parenting teens.

What are things made of? What is the sun? Why is there night and day, winter and summer? Why do bad things happen? Are we alone? Throughout history people all over the world have invented stories to answer profound questions such as these. Have you heard the tale of how the sun hatched out of an emu’s egg? Or what about the great catfish that carries the world on its back? Has anyone ever told you that earthquakes are caused by a sneezing giant?

We may not always see what truly hides within the minds and hearts of certain people, and where we believe is a good, pure individual, lays a terrible murderer capable of the most horrible acts. Robert Berdella was one such man, a helpful and friendly individual who - in a spree separated by a few years - managed to capture and horrifically torture seven young men, murdering six along the way. Control and dominance were his tools, pain was his method.

The author of the acclaimed Advice for Future Corpses (and Those Who Love Them) brings “her singular sensibility, her genius for language, her love of our deeply imperfect world” (Karen Karbo, author of In Praise of Difficult Women) to this insightful exploration of reality TV and the shifting definitions of truth in America.