Bullfish Hole

Bullfish Hole explores the intersection of sociology, science, history, and literature, delving into topics like wokeness, dignity, education, elite status, social controls, and the influence of technology on society. It offers critical insights through book summaries, sociological theories, and reflections on current and historical phenomena.

Sociology Science History Education Literature and Books Social and Cultural Dynamics Technology and Society Legal and Moral Cultures

The hottest Substack posts of Bullfish Hole

And their main takeaways

Books: The Origins of Woke

569 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
  1. Wokeness is a term that has been stretched to fit various grievances and phenomena, including concerns about race, sexuality, and speech restrictions.
  2. The legal basis of wokeness can be traced back to civil rights laws that have shaped culture and societal norms, such as affirmative action and harassment laws.
  3. The legal decisions and interpretations have led to the rise of moralistic bureaucracy, bureaucratic bloat, and a culture of victimhood that is influenced by vague legal standards and incentives for litigation.

In Memory of Donald Black

58 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🚌 Education Sociology Theory Mentorship
  1. Donald Black made significant contributions to sociology with his theory on law and social control, providing a new perspective on understanding social reality.
  2. Donald Black was passionate about developing new ideas in sociology and was dedicated to ensuring the science of social life was explored thoroughly.
  3. Donald Black's work serves as a reminder of the true essence of sociology, focusing on explaining social conflicts rather than taking sides in moral debates.

Links for January

58 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture History Fiction Comics Sci-fi Mythology
  1. There is ongoing debate about the 'peak woke' movement and its impact on organizations and individuals.
  2. Challenges in automating industries like construction lie in the complexity of tasks and the need for human adjustments.
  3. Historical research often uncovers surprising truths, confirming myths and legends from the past.

Books: Days of Rage

157 implied HN points • 29 Jul 23
📚 Literature Book review
  1. The post discusses the book 'Days of Rage' by America's Radical Underground.
  2. The author, Jason Manning, shared insights on the book.
  3. The post is for paid subscribers only.

Moral Cultures: The Concept of Dignity

176 implied HN points • 07 May 23
📖 Philosophy Human Rights
  1. Honor is based on reputation and can be lost, while dignity is intrinsic and cannot be taken away.
  2. The concept of dignity evolved over time from social status to inherent human worth.
  3. Dignified conduct involves confidence in one's worth, respect for others, and finding a balance between subservience and belligerence.
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Links for July

98 implied HN points • 04 Jul 23
💾 History Economics Crime
  1. There are concerns about lab leaks and gain of function research in relation to germs, COVID-19, and other pathogens.
  2. The impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on higher education, academic work, and the academic labor market is a topic of concern.
  3. Cultural features and social mobility can be influenced by ecological factors and historical context.

Books: The Credential Society

98 implied HN points • 20 Apr 23
🚌 Education Higher Ed
  1. College degrees may not necessarily provide concrete career training but are more about certifying desirable traits.
  2. Credential inflation drives the value of degrees down and leads to competition for higher credentials.
  3. Education has become a form of pseudoethnicity defining social class, and the future may see a contraction in higher education due to changing dynamics.

Links for May

78 implied HN points • 11 May 23
🎭️ Culture History Schooling
  1. There is no evidence of a whaler being swallowed by a sperm whale, but a lobster diver was accidentally swallowed by a humpback whale in 2021.
  2. Assisted suicide has widespread support in Canada, but there was a tragic mass suicide incident involving a Kenyan cult.
  3. Abolishing tenure in universities may not effectively address the issue of politicization and could make matters worse, according to different perspectives.

Links for June

58 implied HN points • 03 Jun 23
🕹 Technology AI Economics Crime Mortality Health
  1. AI technology can be used for both dishonest and creative purposes.
  2. Economics attracts serious individuals, and empirical work in the field involves less p-hacking compared to other disciplines.
  3. Child mortality rates have significantly declined over time, reflecting societal changes and advances in healthcare.

Three Types of Elite

58 implied HN points • 09 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elite Wealth Power
  1. Elites prioritize different dimensions of status like wealth, power, and prestige.
  2. Some individuals have a talent for one dimension of status over the others.
  3. There are distinct differences in the values and characteristics of elites in modern society.

One Year of Bullfish Hole

39 implied HN points • 16 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Reflections Knowledge sharing Content creation
  1. The author started their Substack to share their niche interests and accumulated knowledge with others.
  2. The author has different series on sociological topics, history, and book summaries on their Substack.
  3. The author appreciates their subscribers and offers a discount for new subscribers to celebrate the one-year anniversary.

Explaining Behavior 5: Handling Anomalies

39 implied HN points • 11 Feb 23
  1. In science, theories can't be proved by facts but can be disproved; focus on falsifiability.
  2. When faced with contradictory evidence, adjust peripheral ideas while preserving core assumptions.
  3. Avoid excessive ad-hoc adjustments in theories; simplicity helps in making explanations more likely.

Links for March

39 implied HN points • 06 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Crime Culture Social media
  1. Post on crime and prison gangs' structure in modern prisons
  2. Prison gangs' control over street gangs due to incarceration's effects
  3. Centralization of crime possibly due to decimation of the mafia and mass incarceration

Links for April

39 implied HN points • 14 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture History Society Health Psychology Education
  1. There have been historical balloon riots that turned violent when spectators attacked the balloons or balloonists.
  2. Criminals are now using AI technology to mimic voices and scam people for money, posing new challenges for security.
  3. In some regions, like Ghana, witch camps still exist where accused witches seek refuge from being lynched.

Links for February

39 implied HN points • 04 Feb 23
  1. Media hype can make people notice natural wear and tear they've never seen before.
  2. Effective suicide prevention involves more than just therapists and antidepressants, social ties play a crucial role.
  3. Escalation dynamics in conflicts can lead to unforeseen consequences, even short of the worst-case scenario.

Explaining Behavior 8.5: Exercises

0 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🚌 Education Teaching Exercises
  1. Encourage students to apply course ideas through assignments.
  2. Teaching materials related to posts 7-8 are available for paid subscribers.
  3. Main series content is free, but teaching materials are exclusively for paid subscribers.