After Babel

After Babel focuses on the intersection of moral psychology with societal issues, particularly the impacts of social media and digital technology on mental health, the constructs of victim-oppressor narratives in education, and the rise of cancel culture. It aims to explain current societal dysfunctions through a psychological lens, offering insights and solutions.

Mental Health Social Media Impact Youth and Technology Education and Culture Cancel Culture Free Speech Digital Well-being Adolescent Psychology Moral Psychology Identity Politics

The hottest Substack posts of After Babel

And their main takeaways

Why Children Need Risk, Fear, and Excitement in Play

2935 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
  1. Children need risk, fear, and excitement in play to develop physically, cognitively, and emotionally. Risky play allows them to develop skills to face challenges in life.
  2. Parenting trends towards overprotection and structured activities have reduced children's outdoor play and freedom. Prioritizing safety over freedom can hinder children's development.
  3. To bring back risky play and childhood freedom, prioritize Time, Space, and Freedom. Encourage daily outdoor playtime, provide stimulating play spaces, and allow children the freedom to play independently.

Marshall McLuhan on Why Content Moderation is a Red Herring

2883 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Social media Childhood Content Moderation Online safety Tech Ethics
  1. Content moderation is essential, but focusing solely on it overlooks larger issues related to the harmful effects of platforms on kids
  2. The harmful impact of social media on children is not just about the content they consume, but also about the changes in childhood due to excessive screen time
  3. Implementing norms like delaying smartphones until high school could help in restoring a healthier, play-based childhood for kids

Why Kids Need Summer Camp

1147 implied HN points • 12 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Resilience Parenting Community Building
  1. Summer camps provide a tech-free environment where children interact face-to-face, fostering strong bonds and a sense of community.
  2. Camp activities are novel and fun, encouraging children to embrace challenges and step out of their comfort zones.
  3. Camp counselors act as positive role models, encouraging campers to try new things and showcasing a life without constant connection to devices.
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Why I'm Increasingly Worried About Boys, Too

3310 implied HN points • 06 Dec 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Technology Gender differences Parenting
  1. Boys have been increasingly withdrawn from the real world into the virtual world since the 1970s.
  2. Boys are experiencing a mental health crisis driven by factors different from girls, including retreat from real-world pursuits.
  3. The rise of technology and entertainment has played a significant role in pulling boys away from real-world activities and into the virtual world.

The Anxious Generation is Almost Here

2390 implied HN points • 11 Dec 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Parenting Book release Childhood Technology
  1. The book discusses the impact of overprotection in the real world and underprotection in the virtual world on children.
  2. The book suggests actions like making schools phone-free and holding social media companies accountable are needed for a healthier childhood.
  3. The book aims to empower teachers, parents, and Gen Z to understand the issues and work together to reclaim a more grounded, less digitally dependent life.

What is the victim-oppressor mindset and how did it conquer the academy?

2081 implied HN points • 21 Dec 23
🚌 Education Social Psychology Intersectionality Activism Inequality
  1. The oppressor/victim mindset divides people into two categories and justifies resistance from victim groups against oppressor groups.
  2. Teaching intersectionality may unintentionally activate ancient tribal tendencies, leading to an us-versus-them mentality on college campuses.
  3. Some current theoretical approaches in universities may hyper-activate tribal instincts, even if not intended by professors, fostering division instead of inclusion.

Do you know where your kids go every day?

2456 implied HN points • 06 Nov 23
  1. Adolescents today are facing mental health crisis due to the end of play-based childhood and the rise of phone-based childhood.
  2. Gen Z is struggling with a lack of traditional values like love, community, faith, work, and family, leading to a generation with unmet needs and mental health challenges.
  3. Delaying the introduction of smartphones to children, and encouraging reevaluation of technology's role in childhood, can help address some of the issues faced by young people today.

The Canceling of the American Mind Explains the Silence of University Leaders Last Week

2868 implied HN points • 17 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Higher education Cancel Culture Free speech
  1. The book 'The Canceling of the American Mind' by Greg Lukianoff and Rikki Schlott explores the impact of cancel culture in various fields.
  2. The silence of university leaders after recent events raises questions about fear and self-censorship.
  3. American higher education institutions need to address the challenges posed by cancel culture and prioritize free speech to regain trust.

The Youth Mental Health Crisis is International, Unless You Rely on a Flawed International Dataset

1118 implied HN points • 03 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Data Analysis Misinformation
  1. Researchers should stop using the Global Burden of Disease study for analyzing mental health trends.
  2. The youth mental health crisis is not just limited to America, but is an international issue in many Western countries with high levels of smartphone adoption.
  3. The Global Burden of Disease study underestimates changes in mental health statistics since 2010, especially in depression, self-harm, and suicide rates.

Solving the Social Dilemma: Many Paths to Social Media Reform

1610 implied HN points • 28 Nov 23
🕹 Technology Social media Youth Mental Health
  1. Laws are crucial for solving collective action problems like those caused by social media companies exploiting users.
  2. Historical examples show that coordinated efforts from various groups can solve complex issues like worker safety in factories.
  3. Proposed social media reforms include content-based, age-gating, and design-based solutions to address harms, aiming for a more humane tech future.

Harry Potter and the Magical Phone

1471 implied HN points • 01 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Books Technology Social media Youth Education
  1. Harry Potter story reimagined for Gen Z revealing the impact of social media on mental health.
  2. Social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok can contribute to issues like depression, distorted views, and unrealistic expectations.
  3. The story emphasizes the importance of protecting young individuals from the potential dangers of unrestricted access to online content.

Here are 13 Other Explanations For The Adolescent Mental Health Crisis. None of Them Work.

2133 implied HN points • 24 Oct 23
🏥 Health Politics Mental health Technology Social media Schooling
  1. Smartphones and social media are the main factors behind the adolescent mental health crisis.
  2. The decline in independence among children and teens may be a contributing factor to the rise in teen depression, but it works in conjunction with smartphones and social media.
  3. Alternative explanations such as increased academic pressure or lack of places to hang out do not fully explain the significant increase in teen depression rates.

Good News For Anxious Kids (And Parents)

1647 implied HN points • 02 Nov 23
  1. A simple homework project can make a child more ready to face the world.
  2. Independence and small challenges are crucial for developing self-confidence.
  3. Encouraging children to do more on their own can be an effective way to combat anxiety.

The Insidious Lie That We Can’t Understand Each Other

2074 implied HN points • 04 Oct 23
🚌 Education Philosophy Politics Identity Empathy Solidarity
  1. Identity trap ideologies suggest we can't understand each other, but it's important to challenge this notion.
  2. Standpoint theory emphasizes empathizing with oppressed groups, but it may not effectively guide political action.
  3. To argue against the identity trap, take concerns seriously, show why the ideology may fail, and propose a more noble path forward.