Humanities in Revolt

Humanities in Revolt explores the intersection of humanities and contemporary social issues, advocating for critical thinking, social justice, and the importance of humanistic values in addressing global concerns. It critiques societal norms, militarism, economic injustice, and challenges the suppression of dissenting voices through a humanitarian lens.

Social Justice Humanistic Psychology Critical Thinking Ethics and Morality Political Critique Economic Inequality Education Reform Freedom of Expression Historical Analysis Cultural Critique

The hottest Substack posts of Humanities in Revolt

And their main takeaways

Resurrecting "Hind's Hall"

1258 implied HN points • 07 May 24
🌍 World Politics Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Humanitarian Crisis Activism Anti-Semitism
  1. Macklemore's song 'Hind's Hall' highlights the ethical double standard of political leaders in supporting Israel's actions in Gaza and condemns the dehumanization of Palestinians.
  2. College students across the US have been establishing Gaza solidarity encampments, demanding divestment from companies tied to the Israeli military, despite facing arrests and opposition.
  3. Artists like Macklemore play a vital role in shaping society by addressing important issues, advocating for courage and free expression, and challenging the status quo in the music industry.

Aaron Bushnell and the Madness of Being Human in a Sick Society

1337 implied HN points • 16 Apr 24
🌍 World Politics Human Rights Conflict Activism Ethics Justice
  1. In a sick society, conforming to culturally dominant opinions can be seen as normal, but it doesn't mean those opinions are virtuous or ethical.
  2. Being mentally well in a sick society might mean feeling lonely or isolated for having personal integrity and not conforming to societal norms.
  3. Recognizing and responding to moral catastrophes around us is a sign of mental well-being and fully developing our humanity.

Maladapted: Aaron Bushnell, Mental Health, and the Role of Heretics in Fostering Social Change

938 implied HN points • 22 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Mental health Social Change Activism Human Rights
  1. Many mainstream views associate extreme actions like self-immolation with mental illness, but a humanistic perspective suggests that such actions can be driven by a desire for social change and justice.
  2. Labeling someone as 'mentally ill' based on their dissenting actions or beliefs may be a way to dismiss their ideas without engaging in a meaningful discussion.
  3. Heretics and rebels throughout history have played a crucial role in driving positive social changes, challenging norms, and promoting critical thinking over blind adherence to tradition.

Existential Anguish, Moral Retching, and the Pornography of Atrocities Befalling Palestinians

718 implied HN points • 11 Apr 24
🌍 World Politics Humanitarian Crisis Conflict Ethics Government Response Human Rights
  1. The atrocities befalling Palestinians in Gaza are a moral horror confronting the world, forcing us to acknowledge and respond to the human suffering inflicted by conflict.
  2. Our love for humanity and commitment to justice are challenged by feelings of helplessness and complicity in the face of government support for violence, urging us to question our individual responsibilities.
  3. Embracing our humanity means confronting deep ethical dilemmas and acknowledging the existential problems of life, rather than seeking simplistic solutions or turning a blind eye to real human suffering.

The Healthy Humanity of Aaron Bushnell

758 implied HN points • 29 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Self-Actualization Human Values Moral responsibility
  1. Humanistic psychology focuses on mental wellness rooted in universal, objective values, not just societal norms.
  2. Mental health involves love, reason, identity, and objectivity, all essential for human flourishing.
  3. Acts of self-sacrifice for a higher cause can be seen as expressions of deep moral convictions and values, rather than mere suicide.
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Self-Sacrifice is Not Suicide: How the Humanities Help us Understand Aaron Bushnell's Self-Immolation

918 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
  1. Self-sacrifice, like self-immolation, is not the same as suicide. It is about honoring values and life rather than seeking death.
  2. Understanding the deeper motivations behind extreme acts like self-immolation requires looking beyond surface similarities and considering the profound commitment to justice and human dignity.
  3. Critically analyzing and differentiating between self-sacrifice and suicide is essential to grasp the essence of these acts and to respect the messages those involved aim to convey.

A Bound Prisoner's Unbowed Humanity

319 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Ethics Humanity Occupation
  1. The viral image of an Israeli soldier standing over a bound Palestinian raises questions about the concepts of heroism, martyrdom, and the treatment of prisoners.
  2. The response to the image sparks discussion on the practices of the Israeli military, ethical considerations, and the portrayal of the prisoner's humanity.
  3. The post delves into the ideologies of heroism, martyrdom, and Judaism, emphasizing the importance of valuing human life and dignity over the glorification of force and domination.

Einstein on Education

459 implied HN points • 25 Nov 23
🚌 Education Humanities Ethics Learning
  1. Albert Einstein believed that humanities were crucial for human flourishing and couldn't be replaced by a purely scientific education.
  2. Einstein criticized early specialization in education, emphasizing the importance of a broad humanistic general education over narrow career-focused paths.
  3. Einstein advocated for cultivating independent thinking skills in students, warning against excessive competitiveness in educational systems and promoting a philosophy of honoring individuality and social responsibility.

What's Martin Luther King, Jr. Got to do with Gaza?

339 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Human Rights International Law Conflict Activism Foreign Aid
  1. Hundreds of thousands expected to participate in a mass mobilization against Israel's war in Gaza for ceasefire, end of blockade, and international law mediation.
  2. Growing international awareness and alarm over dire conditions in Gaza leads to increased turnout in historic peace marches.
  3. The principles and practices exemplified by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., such as active justice, love ethic, and opposition to economic injustice, militarism, and racism, resonate with urgent demonstrations for Gaza.

Why Going with Our Gut is Not Enough: Critical Thinking and the Art of Mindfulness

319 implied HN points • 21 Dec 23
📖 Philosophy Critical Thinking Mindfulness Interpretation Intellectual humility
  1. Our thoughts shape our world: The power of critical thinking and mindfulness is evident in how our thoughts influence our experiences and actions.
  2. Mindfulness over gut reactions: While automated thinking can be useful, critical thinking requires self-awareness to assess situations, especially new and unfamiliar ones.
  3. Interpretation and critical thinking: Understanding how interpretation and inference impact our understanding of the world is crucial for developing critical thinking skills and constructing meaningful beliefs.

Knowing When the Sky Isn't Falling: What an Ancient Fable about the End of the World Teaches Us About Critical Thinking

279 implied HN points • 29 Dec 23
🚌 Education Critical Thinking Ethics
  1. Both the Chicken Little and Buddhist fables warn about the dangers of group-think and decision-making guided by fear.
  2. Critical thinking involves mindfulness and self-awareness to avoid falling into irrational traps fueled by fear.
  3. The lion in the Buddhist fable demonstrates that critical thinking should be infused with ethical considerations and compassion for others.

Thinking for Ourselves: The Good Life and the Art of Critical Thinking

359 implied HN points • 10 Nov 23
🚌 Education Critical Thinking Wisdom
  1. Living a good life involves more than just acquiring material possessions; it requires good thinking and the practice of critical thinking
  2. Critical thinking is a skill that requires intentional development through practice, study, and conscious effort
  3. Critical thinking goes beyond intelligence and involves ethical considerations, reasoning, and striving for wisdom rather than just seeking knowledge

What's Wrong with Silencing Ideas that Disgust Us?

419 implied HN points • 14 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Freedom of Speech Political Ideologies
  1. Silencing ideas we disagree with can hinder our ability to discover the truth, as engaging in dialogue helps determine what is true and false.
  2. Allowing for the expression of opposing views helps prevent our beliefs from becoming stagnant and unchallengeable dead dogmas.
  3. Freedom of expression is vital in promoting democratic discourse, facilitating conflict resolution, and avoiding the suppression of marginalized voices and progressive ideas.

The Limits of Science: Why Einstein Believed Science Needs the Humanities

319 implied HN points • 01 Aug 23
🚌 Education Philosophy Science Literature Art & Illustration History
  1. Einstein believed that a holistic education balancing science and humanities is essential for cultivating fundamental human values and morality.
  2. He emphasized that over-specialization and narrowly technical competencies can lead to lopsided thought and hinder human development.
  3. Einstein highlighted the importance of ethical values guiding scientific knowledge to maintain a healthy and humane society.

The Other 9/11: Movies, Militarism, and What's Missing from Popular American Consciousness

259 implied HN points • 15 Sep 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics American history Government actions Media influence
  1. The Department of Defense has been involved in movie making for over 100 years, ensuring accurate depictions of military rituals but paying less attention to ethical complexities and personal suffering.
  2. Blockbuster Hollywood movies often present idyllic visions of U.S. military policies and warfare, obscuring the nation's global role and historical interventions in other governments.
  3. The movie 'Missing' is a rare exception in Hollywood, shedding light on governmental and military abuses of power, highlighting the power of film in revealing truth and challenging prevailing representations.

What's Wrong with Moderation?

239 implied HN points • 25 Aug 23
📖 Philosophy Feminism Equality Ethics Freedom
  1. Social progress often comes from principled conviction rather than compromising between extremes.
  2. Historical movements for justice and social transformation have often required radicalism, advocacy, and personal sacrifice, rather than moderation.
  3. Feminist foremothers teach us that true social change necessitates dissent, defiance of norms, and enduring discomfort to combat oppression and injustice.

Imperialism and American Privilege, Those Which Must Be Named

219 implied HN points • 25 Sep 23
🌍 World Politics Imperialism Intersectionality Oppression
  1. The dominant political discourse often ignores the violent aspects of U.S. foreign policy, hiding behind the narrative of American exceptionalism.
  2. American citizens benefit from a cultural privileging of their national-ethnic identity, even if they may face other forms of disadvantage within the country.
  3. Understanding intersecting oppressions through intersectionality helps in recognizing the varying amounts of privilege and penalty individuals derive from multiple systems of oppression.

What Would a Suffragist Do? Lessons for Social Change from Our Feminist Foremothers

219 implied HN points • 17 Aug 23
🚌 Education History Feminism Social Change Cultural criticism
  1. The 19th Amendment marked a significant advancement in women's rights in the US, championed by suffragists like Susan B. Anthony who fought tirelessly despite not living to see the victory.
  2. Lessons from feminist foremothers emphasize the importance of lifelong commitment to the cause of justice, regardless of age, and the need to honor those who paved the way for expanded rights.
  3. Challenges by suffragists like Sojourner Truth and Frances Ellen Watkins Harper against dehumanizing norms and cultural ideologies demonstrate the vital role of critical consciousness in driving social change.

Embodying the Good

219 implied HN points • 21 Jun 23
📖 Philosophy Meaning of life Ethics Human Values Justice Existentialism
  1. The peace movement highlighted the importance of embodying intrinsic values, such as truth, justice, autonomy, and integrity, above achieving immediate results.
  2. Recognizing and enacting self-justifying values allows us to find meaning and purpose in the face of life's futility.
  3. Activists in the peace movement worked to promote human dignity, freedom, and justice, rejecting defeatism and continuing to embody their principles despite facing challenges and setbacks.

"Somehow They Died": The Iraq War, Civilian Deaths, and the Meaning of Objectivity

219 implied HN points • 11 Aug 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics War Media Reporting Ethics
  1. Popular culture often glorifies warfare while minimizing the harsh realities of war and its impact on civilians.
  2. Media outlets frequently fail to attribute responsibility for civilian deaths in conflicts, leaving out crucial details and hiding the agents behind these tragedies.
  3. True objectivity in reporting on war must involve providing meaningful context and addressing ethical and moral implications, rather than just stating sterile statistics.

Beyond Victory: Finding Meaning in Never-Ending Defeat

199 implied HN points • 27 Jun 23
📖 Philosophy Moral Philosophy Meaning of life
  1. Victory is transient and will eventually lead to defeat. It's essential to find value in the present and in the process, rather than relying solely on achieving a permanent victory.
  2. Meaning in life is not solely derived from achieving outcomes. As humans, we can find purpose in the inherent goodness and aliveness of the present moment.
  3. Challenging injustices, even if the outcome may seem like failure, is a significant act of upholding human dignity and values. Standing against suffering and maintaining human autonomy is a vital form of rebellion.

For the Love of War and the Fear of Death

219 implied HN points • 15 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics War Media Propaganda Ideology Violence
  1. The American public's support for the Iraq War was influenced by fear, false beliefs, and failures in critical thinking.
  2. Journalists in the mainstream media played a role in amplifying unsubstantiated claims about the war and failed to question authority.
  3. Fear-based appeals and manipulative tactics, like circular reasoning, were used to justify the Iraq War.

Costumed in Gender, Haunted by Patriarchy

179 implied HN points • 22 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Gender Social norms Values Stereotypes
  1. Halloween costumes often reinforce patriarchal gender stereotypes by limiting the options for boys and girls and associating certain traits with specific genders.
  2. Patriarchy's influence on culture is evident in the polarized definitions of maleness and femaleness in mass-produced children's Halloween costumes.
  3. Gender is a socially constructed concept, not a biological one, and it prescribes social norms and roles based on patriarchal assumptions rather than biological reality.

A Brutal Invasion: Hidden Values and Two 20-Year Anniversaries

179 implied HN points • 09 Sep 23
🌍 World Politics War Media Leaders Ethics Iraq
  1. Different language and judgmental terms are used in the media when reporting on civilian casualties of different events, showcasing potential biases and hidden values.
  2. The media coverage on the victims of the September 11 attacks differs significantly from the reporting on victims of the Iraq War, revealing inconsistencies in how humanizing language is applied.
  3. There is a call for more honest and inclusive reporting in the news media and political discourse about the events of the Iraq War, urging for a broader and objective portrayal of facts and perspectives.

Finding Meaning in the Peace Movement's Failure to Avert War

179 implied HN points • 13 Jun 23
  1. The failure of the peace movement to prevent the 2003 Iraq War did not negate its value - it ignited activism, political agency, and community relationships in various domains
  2. The local peace movement in Brevard County, Florida, led to significant social change efforts and activism, even influencing local politics and elections
  3. The peace movement had wide-ranging effects beyond preventing the war, such as advocating for civil liberties, human rights, and non-violent conflict resolution

The Words of War

179 implied HN points • 02 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Warfare Language Media Ethics Diplomacy
  1. Mainstream war reporting often uses vague euphemisms and jargon, which can obscure the true impact of conflict on human lives.
  2. The language we use around war matters, as it can shape perceptions and beliefs. It's recommended to use direct language that accurately reflects the reality of warfare.
  3. It's important to be conscious of how we attribute responsibility in discussions of war, avoiding language that masks the true agents of violence and destruction.

He'd Rather be a Killer than a Girl: What Halloween Costumes Can Teach Us About the Patriarchal Thinking Within Us All

159 implied HN points • 28 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Gender Studies Social Issues Identity Patriarchy Ideology
  1. Halloween costumes play a significant role in reinforcing or combating stereotypes about gender roles and expectations.
  2. There is a sexist double standard present in Halloween costuming where it's more acceptable for girls and women to identify with male characters than for boys and men to identify with female characters.
  3. Patriarchal ideology influences costume options available for men and women, perpetuating narrow conceptions of femininity and masculinity. This limitation can lead to the internalization of gender stereotypes and unequal valuing of qualities associated with each gender.

Waterbirth at Sea: Pregnancy, a Power Drill, and Transcendence in the Middle of "Nowhere"

139 implied HN points • 18 Nov 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Film Representation Creativity Transcendence
  1. Movies and TV often portray childbirth in a narrow and disempowering way, overlooking the humanizing and empowering aspects of the experience.
  2. The film 'Nowhere' challenges typical narratives by showcasing a pregnant woman's survival and birth in a dystopian setting, emphasizing her strength and resilience.
  3. 'Nowhere' highlights the importance of creative transcendence over destructive tendencies in storytelling, particularly through the unique representations of women's birthing and caregiving roles.

bell hooks’ Labors of Love: Taking Action, Thinking Critically

179 implied HN points • 30 Apr 23
🚌 Education Feminism Critical Thinking Socialization Authenticity Self-Expression
  1. Thinking critically is as important as physical action, according to bell hooks, as it leads to understanding and learning how life works.
  2. bell hooks challenges the societal norms that discourage critical thinking, arguing that it is a vital capacity for truth, authenticity, and autonomy.
  3. bell hooks emphasizes that critical thinking fosters self-knowledge, agency, and survival, going beyond being a mere academic expectation.

Being Good Means More than Not Being an "Asshole": The Limits of the Nelson Family Rules

179 implied HN points • 23 Apr 23
📖 Philosophy Morality Ethics Character Self-awareness
  1. Being morally good is more complex than just not hurting others intentionally. It involves being aware of the impact of our actions, even if harm is unintentional.
  2. Moral goodness requires active effort and mindfulness to consider how our choices affect others, beyond just avoiding being malicious.
  3. To be morally good, we must develop a character of moral self-awareness and actively combat our egocentrism by considering the well-being of others in our decisions.

Invading Iraq: A Bipartisan Tragedy

179 implied HN points • 07 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Figures Military Actions Foreign Policy
  1. The Iraq War was launched based on the belief that Iraq had Weapons of Mass Destruction, a belief that was later proven false.
  2. Political leaders from both parties, including Joe Biden, played significant roles in supporting the Iraq War, despite its costly consequences.
  3. The economic costs of the Iraq War were extremely high, reaching trillions of dollars, while the war led to thousands of deaths and injuries, destabilizing the Middle East.

Why So Serious? Halloween, Popular Culture, and the Specter of Anonymous Authority

139 implied HN points • 12 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Pop culture Cultural Studies Gender Studies Social influence Identity
  1. Halloween allows for a fun and liberating experience, where people of all ages can embody different identities through costumes.
  2. Popular culture, like Halloween costumes, reflects societal influences, such as gender norms and media trends.
  3. Our personal and social identities are shaped by cultural beliefs and practices, sometimes without us realizing, indicating the presence of 'anonymous authority' in society.

Ten Million in Dissent: For the Love of Life and the Refusal to be Complicit

139 implied HN points • 27 May 23
  1. In 2003, a global peace movement against the Iraq War saw ten million people worldwide protesting before the war began, showcasing unprecedented coordination and unity.
  2. Despite failing to prevent the war, the peace movement's efforts should be commended for honoring human dignity, advocating for nonviolent conflict resolution, and demonstrating civic responsibility.
  3. The peace movement's actions exemplified values of love, compassion, and democracy, showing the power of ordinary citizens to stand up against governmental errors and promote peace.

Disavowing Fear, Saying No to War

139 implied HN points • 15 May 23
  1. Critical thinking and democratic citizenship are virtues showcased by elected officials who challenged the rationale for the Iraq War.
  2. The global preemptive protests against the Iraq War highlighted the efforts of millions to prevent the rush to war.
  3. The peace movement against the Iraq War emphasized the importance of independent thought, opposition to militarism, and challenging conformist ideologies.

Resisting Defeatism: Ways to Foster Social Change in Everyday Life

179 implied HN points • 12 Mar 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Social Change Activism
  1. Educating ourselves and supporting independent media is crucial in contributing to a just and ethical society.
  2. Engaging in genuine dialogue, civic action, and political engagement in our communities can promote collaboration and resolution of conflicts.
  3. Combating suffering and injustice involves supporting worthwhile charities, ethical consumer practices, and utilizing art and music to honor our values and facilitate social change.

You Don't Know MLK

219 implied HN points • 14 Jan 23
💾 History Civil Rights Social justice Activism Morality Ethics
  1. Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. faced significant opposition and was hated by many Americans during his time, contrasting with his revered status today.
  2. King advocated for radical social change, including fighting against materialism, militarism, and economic injustice, aspects often overlooked in mainstream narratives about him.
  3. It's important to recognize the fuller picture of Rev. King's activism beyond just his nonviolent civil rights work, as he also promoted economic equality, critiqued capitalism, and spoke out against the Vietnam War.

A Return to Child Labor? Which Side Are You On?

179 implied HN points • 24 Feb 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Workforce Development
  1. Efforts are being made to introduce more children into the U.S. workforce, despite the historical progress made in abolishing oppressive child labor laws.
  2. Documenting child labor required cunning and bravery from advocates like Lewis Hine, whose photography helped reveal the harsh realities of child labor and sparked change.
  3. Recent legislative efforts in states like Iowa to loosen restrictions on child labor are concerning, as they could endanger the well-being and education of young workers.

Living Truths and Dead Dogmas: How the Humanities Honors Freedom of Thought and Expression

279 implied HN points • 08 Sep 22
🚌 Education Humanities Critical Thinking Dialogue Cultural analysis
  1. The humanities teach us not to judge something before we understand it, promoting open-mindedness, love for enemies, and freedom of thought and expression.
  2. Criticism of conventional schooling highlights the need for education that fosters critical thinking, independence, and a love for learning, rather than regimentation and conformity.
  3. Humanistic inquiry reinvigorates our understanding of beliefs, encourages critical examination, and emphasizes the ongoing effort necessary to maintain living truths instead of dead dogmas.

Humanities and Social Change: There is No Final Revolution

159 implied HN points • 03 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Humanities Social Change Activism Literature Philosophy
  1. Society often focuses on the mechanics of achieving objectives, but sustaining social change requires creativity, empathy, perseverance, and purpose, which the humanities can provide.
  2. Feelings of frustration and despair are common in social justice activism, but acknowledging these emotions and turning to the humanities can offer spiritual and ethical sustenance.
  3. Victories in social-political movements are impermanent, emphasizing the need to replace the pursuit of 'victory' with a more human and sustainable approach, reflected in the idea that there is no final revolution. Revolutions are infinite and ongoing.

bell hooks: Living by an Ethic of Love

179 implied HN points • 25 Dec 22
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Social justice Feminism Masculinity
  1. bell hooks and Martin Luther King Jr. emphasized the importance of living by an ethic of love, prioritizing integrity and truth over natural niceties.
  2. hooks believed in the power of a love ethic as the basis of social justice movements and cultural analysis, contrasting young listeners who saw love as naive and weak.
  3. hooks addressed the damaging effects of patriarchal masculinity on men, urging them to embrace feminist masculinity characterized by compassion, sensitivity, and respect towards others.