Saturday, January 30, 2016
This
is a slightly controversial (and short) op-ed piece linking the
countercultural revolution of the 1960s to the increasing inequality
in the US in recent decades. The author, American writer Kurt
Andersen, seems to suggest that the youth rebellion of half a century
ago unleashed a force Thinkers like Tocqueville and John Stuart Mill
had warned about – asocial individualism.
Saturday, January 23, 2016
In this article, Susan Faludi ( a prominent American
feminist) criticizes what she sees as an unfortunate transformation of feminism.
She thinks until a few decades ago feminism was a broad social movement aiming
to create a better world for all – and liberate men, too, from the shackles of
an oppressive socioeconomic success. Now much of what passes for feminism apparently
focuses on personal success (and perhaps equal opportunity self-indulgence?) for
women belonging to the educated elite.
Monday, January 11, 2016
This is the title of an article by Theodore Dalrymple
(the author of the opinion piece making “the case for cannibalism” we assembled
and discussed in class). He makes some disturbing observations and draws insightful comparisons between Aldous Huxley's Brave New World and H. G. Wells’s The Time Machine, Jack London’s The Iron Heel, and George Orwell’s 1984 (and there is also a great dystopian book that is not
mentioned – since it was written in Russia – We, by Evgeny Zamyatin). I would rather not give away too much –
and would be curious as to what you make of it all. I will post a great article
here perhaps once a week for those who would like to continue to read great non-fiction outside of course assignments (which might be the best way to improve your written English). And I will try to respond to all comments
and questions. Enjoy!
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