Holodoxa

Holodoxa explores the interplay between genetics, human behavior, literature, and culture through essays and book reviews. It delves into topics like reading habits, cancer research, consciousness, masculinity, and societal norms, offering insights from scientific, historical, and philosophical viewpoints to understand the human condition.

Reading and Literacy Cancer Research and Genetics Consciousness and Neuroscience Masculinity and Society Genetic History Bayesian Analysis Free Will Intelligence Mental Health Ethical and Social Issues Literary Analysis Urban Planning and Design Scientific Research Practices Childhood Cancer Behavioral Genetics

The hottest Substack posts of Holodoxa

And their main takeaways

Things Are Getting Heated

199 implied HN points • 26 Jun 24
📚 Literature Reading Writing Podcasts Recommendations Family
  1. The author recaps their activities during the second quarter of 2024, including reading, writing, and podcast launch plans.
  2. The author set a reading goal of 75 books for 2024 and shared top book recommendations from Q2, such as 'How the World Became Rich' and 'Everything is Predictable'.
  3. The author shared a list of written content produced in Q2, highlighting posts on topics like narcissism, genetics, and cancer, along with a reiteration of consistently reviewing completed reads on Goodreads.

All Bayes Everything

239 implied HN points • 14 Jun 24
🔬 Science Statistics Probability Neurobiology Consciousness Research
  1. Bayes' Theorem is a powerful concept in probability theory that helps update beliefs based on new evidence, highlighting the importance of combining prior knowledge and new data.
  2. Bayesian methods can offer valuable improvements to scientific research practices by emphasizing uncertainty, effect magnitude, and probability distributions over traditional p-values and null hypothesis testing.
  3. The concept of the brain functioning as a prediction machine aligns with Bayesian principles, suggesting that the brain uses prior knowledge and new sensory inputs to make predictions and construct conscious experiences.

Hyper-Darwinian Wars

259 implied HN points • 28 May 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Cancer Treatment Evolution Genetics
  1. Cancer is genetic in origin, making treatment a relentless struggle against a protean foe with evolutionary possibilities.
  2. Precision treatment options are emerging as complements or alternatives to traditional cancer treatments, offering hope in the battle against cancer evolution.
  3. The challenges of drug resistance, tumor heterogeneity, cancer stem cells, and the tumor microenvironment highlight the complexity of cancer and underscore the need for innovative, targeted treatment strategies.

A Brief Genetic History of Europe

239 implied HN points • 19 May 24
🔬 Science Genetics History Anthropology Migration Disease
  1. Modern Europeans have a complex genetic history with contributions from different ancient populations like hunter-gatherers and Neolithic farmers.
  2. Advancements in genomics have drastically reduced the cost of sequencing genomes, leading to significant progress in understanding human genetic history.
  3. Migration has been a significant factor in shaping the genetic and cultural landscape of Europe over thousands of years, and it continues to play a crucial role in our future.

The Battle for American Masculinity: Buchanan v. Gatsby

219 implied HN points • 03 May 24
🎭️ Culture Literature Masculinity Gender Politics Social Commentary American Society
  1. Fitzgerald explores different molds of manhood in 'The Great Gatsby': Gatsby - a disruptor, Nick - an observer, and Tom - a potent but detestable figure.
  2. The character of Tom Buchanan reflects a type of masculinity that has been both condemned and underestimated, termed today as 'toxic masculinity.'
  3. Fitzgerald delves into the complexities of hegemonic masculinity, highlighting the power dynamics and societal norms that shape male behavior and relationships.
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Here Lies Reading

259 implied HN points • 23 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Reading Cultural Shifts Media Consumption
  1. Young people are reading less for pleasure, leading to a decline in critical reading skills.
  2. There is a convergence in reading behavior between academically inclined and disinclined individuals.
  3. Cultural shifts and technology, like the rise of smartphones and internet media, can impact reading habits and intellectual curiosity.

Where Be Our Readers

339 implied HN points • 12 Feb 24
📚 Literature
  1. The average American reads very little, with many only reading 1-2 books a year
  2. Digital formats of books, like ebooks and audiobooks, are becoming more popular and may lead to increased reading time
  3. Reading habits vary by demographics such as age, income, and political affiliation, but there is a general trend of low reading frequency across various groups

Why Leukemia Risk is Higher in Hispanic/Latino Children

179 implied HN points • 22 Apr 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Evolutionary biology
  1. Hispanic/Latino children have a higher risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, potentially due to a risk variant more common in their population.
  2. Understanding genetic histories and population histories is crucial in explaining health disparities and disease risks.
  3. The study highlights how a specific gene variant, influenced by evolutionary selection pressures, can contribute to differential disease risk across populations.

Spring Cleaning for the Mind

199 implied HN points • 27 Mar 24
📚 Literature Books Podcasts Reviews Memoirs
  1. The start of 2024 has been eventful domestically, economically strong in the US, and characterized by international chaos.
  2. Reading 75 books this year is a goal, with a bias towards nonfiction titles and a focus on literary reviews.
  3. Engaging with podcasts continues to be a significant part of consumption, with an emphasis on diverse shows and episodes for various interests.

Narcissism in Reflection

179 implied HN points • 06 Apr 24
📚 Literature Mythology Satire Identity
  1. Greek mythology, particularly the story of Narcissus, has influenced art and literature for centuries, serving as a cautionary tale about self-absorption and solipsism.
  2. The novel 'The Portrait of a Mirror' by A. Natasha Joukovsky explores themes of identity, desire, and the impact of technology on individualism, offering a modern interpretation of the Narcissus myth.
  3. The book delves into the lives of affluent urbanites, focusing on manners and relationships, while also incorporating elements of satire, art criticism, and the concept of recursion to examine human nature and self-reflection.

The Child is the Father of the Man

199 implied HN points • 26 Feb 24
📚 Literature Memoir Social Issues Family Dynamics
  1. Maintaining functional families is crucial for the well-being of society.
  2. Personal narratives can have a powerful impact in raising awareness and understanding social issues.
  3. The upbringing and stability provided in early childhood significantly impact an individual's future outcomes and societal harmony.

A Survey of Cancer Predisposition Genes

199 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🔬 Science Genetics Cancer Research
  1. Inherited risk of cancer has been known for a long time, with important discoveries made in the 20th century connecting genotypes and phenotypes.
  2. Alfred Knudson's two-hit model was a breakthrough in understanding inherited cancer risk and the sequential genetic changes needed for cancer development.
  3. There are around 100 cancer predisposition genes (CPGs) that have been extensively reviewed and evaluated to understand their role as tumor suppressors or proto-oncogenes.

Kidney Anatomy as a Metaphor for Wilms Tumor Genetics

179 implied HN points • 19 Feb 24
🔬 Science Genetics
  1. Wilms tumor (WT) is a common pediatric kidney cancer with favorable outcomes to surgery plus chemotherapy. Genetic studies of WT reveal a complex architecture intertwined with kidney development, offering insights into cancer growth.
  2. Precision approaches like patient-derived xenograft models and liquid biopsies show promise in improving care for WT. These methods go beyond DNA sequencing for diagnosis and treatment.
  3. Research on WT genetics indicates overlap with kidney development genes and involvement of various predisposition genes. The disease's complexity calls for innovative cooperative efforts among investigators and medical professionals.

The Challenge of Childhood Cancer

139 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Cancer Genetics Risk Factors
  1. Childhood cancer has a complex causal picture, where genetics play a significant role.
  2. The incidence of pediatric cancer is highest in certain regions, with differences influenced by environmental factors.
  3. Genetic changes, whether inherited or sporadic, are key contributors to childhood cancer pathogenesis, highlighting the importance of studying genes in understanding and managing the risk.

The Struggle to be Solidarity Nation

179 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Israel Cultural Practices Youth Programs National Identity
  1. Israel's national solidarity is explored in 'The Genius of Israel,' suggesting a unique ability to balance tradition and modernity, individualism and collectivism.
  2. Key social institutions like the kibbutz, youth movements (gibush), the military (IDF), and mechina programs play a crucial role in shaping Israel's collective identity and resilience.
  3. Israel's success in economic growth, demographic health, and social cohesion is attributed to the balance between individual and collective forces, with the IDF serving as both a defense mechanism and a training ground for intergroup collaboration.

The Powerful and Flawed Brain

179 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Genetics Evolution Environment
  1. Mental illness is a complex interplay of genes, environment, and evolutionary history, contributing to conditions like depression or schizophrenia.
  2. Genetic factors significantly influence the risk of psychiatric conditions, but they interact with environmental and social factors, emphasizing the importance of a holistic approach.
  3. Mutation can play a key role in mental illness, with spontaneous genetic variations like de novo mutations or somatic variants contributing to conditions like schizophrenia or autism.

Intrinsic Primacy: Consciousness, the Impetus of Man

259 implied HN points • 18 Jul 23
🔬 Science Consciousness Neuroscience Philosophy Emergence
  1. Our consciousness and internal thoughts are essential to our human experience, leading to the question of where they originate in the brain.
  2. Neuroscience faces challenges in understanding consciousness, with the field needing a new paradigm to address the relationship between brain function and conscious experience.
  3. Different perspectives, such as intrinsic introspection and extrinsic scientific observation, have evolved through history, shaping how we view the world and ourselves.

Evolving Beyond Determinism

199 implied HN points • 31 Oct 23
🔬 Science Consciousness Evolution Free will Neuroscience Philosophy
  1. Consciousness and free will are gaining scholarly attention, moving beyond being considered intellectual backwaters.
  2. There is a growing interest in naturalistic explanations of the human mind, relying on science rather than mystical or religious beliefs.
  3. The book 'Free Agents: How Evolution Gave Us Free Will' by Kevin J. Mitchell offers a scientific defense of free will against determinism, emphasizing the role of conscious experience in guiding human behavior.

Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1

119 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Genetics Treatment Options Research
  1. Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1 (MEN1) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder caused by germline mutations in the tumor suppressor gene MEN1. Menin, encoded by MEN1, is a scaffold protein involved in various cell functions.
  2. Genetic discovery of MEN1 led to a better understanding of the disease and enabled precision medicine strategies for patients with MEN1 mutations.
  3. Therapeutic options for MEN1 include targeted therapies like somatostatin analogues and mTOR inhibitors, as well as chemotherapies; advancements in understanding menin function have opened up potential novel therapeutic approaches.

A History of Intelligence

199 implied HN points • 19 Sep 23
🔬 Science Evolution Neuroscience Intelligence Artificial Intelligence Cognitive abilities
  1. Animals like primates and octopus exhibit intelligent behavior through learning powerful "world models" which is missing in AI systems today.
  2. The book 'A Brief History of Intelligence' outlines five key evolutionary breakthroughs that led to human intelligence: steering, reinforcement, simulating, mentalizing, and language.
  3. Human intelligence has evolved through the ability to navigate environments, learn through trial-and-error, simulate future events, understand others' minds, and develop spoken/written language.

Canceling the American Mind

179 implied HN points • 20 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech Cancel Culture Academic Freedom Political Discourse
  1. Issues related to freedom of expression are prominent in American public discourse, especially in the current era.
  2. Cancel Culture has spread widely, impacting discourse and leading to consequences for freedom of expression.
  3. Strategies like defining Cancel Culture, examining rhetorical fortresses, and proposing changes in education can help mitigate the impacts of censorious attitudes.

The Genetic History of the British Isles

139 implied HN points • 16 Nov 23
🔬 Science Genetics Evolution History Research
  1. Exploring genetic history through ancient DNA analysis is a fascinating discipline with different names like paleogenomics and genetic anthropology.
  2. Genetic studies on the British Isles, like the book 'Saxons, Vikings, and Celts,' highlight the complexities of genetic ancestry, including the influence of different ancient populations like the Bell Beaker culture.
  3. Haplogroup analysis, focusing on Y and mtDNA, provides insights into ancestry, although it may have limitations due to genetic drift, selection, and incomplete picture of the genome.

Wild Problems

159 implied HN points • 31 Jul 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics Moral Philosophy Epistemology Values Reflection
  1. Rational methodologies alone cannot solve all conflicts; values play a crucial role in decisions.
  2. Wild problems, unlike tame problems, cannot be resolved through purely rational analysis.
  3. Effective altruism, while appealing in theory, can lead to challenging ethical dilemmas when taken too seriously.

A Theory of Everyone

119 implied HN points • 30 Nov 23
🔬 Science Evolution Cultural Evolution Innovation Cooperation Social Dynamics
  1. A Theory of Everyone explores the idea that culture, alongside genetics, plays a significant role in human success and progress.
  2. Muthukrishna emphasizes the importance of understanding cultural evolution to address future challenges and shape human society.
  3. The decline in energy return on investment poses a threat to human civilization, and Muthukrishna proposes leveraging cultural evolution to foster innovation and cooperation.

Art Perpetually Imitating A Simulacrum Diminishes Art

99 implied HN points • 29 Dec 23
📚 Literature Novels Authors Internet culture Literary Criticism
  1. The race to write the ultimate internet novel may not yield groundbreaking insights, as the questions it poses may already have answers.
  2. The surge in literature focused on technology and its impacts on society comes with a risk of becoming repetitive or overly on-the-nose with its political messages.
  3. Literary fiction should strive to maintain a focus on human experience and not get lost in the distractions of technology, ensuring that it continues to offer a space for genuine connection and exploration of complex emotions.

Radical Chic Continues

139 implied HN points • 06 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social justice Political Dynamics
  1. The book discusses how social justice movements in America have been influenced by elite capture, where elite groups divert grassroots movements to serve their agenda.
  2. The analysis delves into the concept of elite capture, where a smaller group of elites takes control of larger activist movements, potentially leading them off course.
  3. There is a call for a return to class-based politics to address issues of social and material justice, with a critique of the current trend of focusing too much on symbolic gestures rather than material conditions.

Flaubert Perfects Literary Realism in Madame Bovary

139 implied HN points • 27 Aug 23
📚 Literature Realism Modernism Novel Critique Prose
  1. Gustave Flaubert's perfectionism in creating realistic characters and worlds in 'Madame Bovary' shows that literary fiction can be immersive without sacrificing depth.
  2. Flaubert's meticulous attention to detail, word choice, and irony in 'Madame Bovary' sets a standard for prose style that effortlessly transports readers to 19th-century France.
  3. 'Madame Bovary' not only exemplifies literary realism and modernism but also influenced future writers to explore themes like female sexuality and social alienation.

At the Halfway Mark in 2023

139 implied HN points • 04 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Books Podcasts Social media Social Status
  1. The author reads and reviews a significant number of books, mostly non-fiction, providing detailed commentary and recommendations.
  2. The author shares a list of podcasts they enjoy listening to regularly and new shows they've discovered recently.
  3. The author discusses an academic debate on social status persistence and genetic factors, highlighting critiques and supportive commentary.

Genetic Certainty and Mechanistic Ambiguity

99 implied HN points • 09 Dec 23
🔬 Science Genetics Cancer Biology Research Health
  1. Genetic information is essential for understanding diseases, but it is just the beginning - further research is needed to unravel how genetic errors impact proteins and disease mechanisms.
  2. Studying cancer syndromes can provide insights into tumor suppressor genes and the genetic risks associated with cancer development.
  3. The discovery of the VHL gene linked to von Hippel-Lindau disease illustrates the complexity of disease mechanisms, such as how disruption of a ubiquitin ligase can lead to cancer and the tissue-specific patterns of risk in affected individuals.

The Tumor Suppressor to Rule Them All

119 implied HN points • 03 Nov 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Cancer Genetics Research
  1. TP53, known as the 'Guardian of the Genome,' is a crucial tumor suppressor gene frequently mutated in cancer and associated with poor prognosis.
  2. Research on TP53 and Li-Fraumeni Syndrome highlights the high cancer risk and early onset of cancers in individuals with TP53 mutations, emphasizing the need for surveillance and preventive measures.
  3. _TP53_'s intricate structure and functions, such as its role in the DNA damage response, make it a central player in cellular processes related to stress and aging.

To Build a Healthy Super-Organism: A City for Citizens

139 implied HN points • 15 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Urbanism Architecture Criticism Community Public spaces
  1. Jane Jacobs emphasized that cities should be viewed through the collective lives of their citizens, not just imposed rational designs.
  2. Jacobs advocated for grassroots, decentralized approaches to city development, challenging orthodoxies of urban planning from the mid-to-late 20th century.
  3. Critics point out that Jacobs' ideas may overlook factors like human capital, centralized planning benefits, and power dynamics within urban communities, but her work remains influential in urban planning and design.

A Vision of Cancer's Past

99 implied HN points • 22 Nov 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Medical History
  1. Retinoblastoma is a rare eye cancer that mainly affects young children, leading to impaired vision and emotional challenges.
  2. Historical findings from the 16th century and genetic research in the 20th century helped understand retinoblastoma as a genetic disease with the RB1 gene linked to its development.
  3. RB1 gene acts as a tumor suppressor, regulating cell division through interactions with E2F proteins, and its mutations are responsible for most cases of retinoblastoma.

Some Switches Can't Be Unflipped (But We Can Cut the Power)

79 implied HN points • 26 Dec 23
🔬 Science Genetics Cancer Pharmacology Thyroid
  1. In hereditary cancer, mutations in tumor suppressor genes are more common than in oncogenes, and a second hit is often required for cancer to develop.
  2. The RET gene, an oncogene, is associated with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2 (MEN2) and can lead to various clinical conditions depending on the mutation type.
  3. Mutations in oncogenes like RET can be targeted with drugs, leading to effective treatments for cancers like medullary thyroid cancer, showing the clinical impact of genetic research beyond diagnosis.

The Leaves Turn. Recapping Q3 2023

119 implied HN points • 30 Sep 23
📚 Literature Books Reviews Podcasts Vacation Science
  1. The author reflects on the books they've consumed, with 67 completed in the year and 21 in the last three months. They share book recommendations like 'Albion's Seed' and detail upcoming reviews and reading plans.
  2. The author started a series on cancer genomics to make the science accessible. The topics covered so far are hereditary cancer syndromes, with more to come.
  3. The author shares podcast recommendations, especially after the news of Google shutting down its podcast app. They highlight new shows to listen to and specific episodes worth checking out.

Introducing Cancer Genomes

119 implied HN points • 10 Aug 23
🔬 Science Genomics Cancer Biology Genetics
  1. The new channel 'Cancer Genomes' on Holodoxa will explore topics like hereditary cancer syndromes and precision oncology.
  2. The author aims to make the complex subject matter accessible to readers with a high school level understanding of biology.
  3. Aside from cancer genomics, the author's Holodoxa channel covers various other science topics like genetics and social outcomes.

From Clinic to Genome and Back Again: Cowden Syndrome and PTEN

119 implied HN points • 17 Aug 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Genetics Cancer Research Diagnosis
  1. Cowden Syndrome, first described in 1963, was named after the patient Rachel Cowden and later found to be associated with the PTEN gene.
  2. The PTEN gene was identified as a tumor suppressor gene responsible for Cowden Syndrome, leading to advancements in genetic diagnosis and personalized medical care.
  3. Cowden Syndrome shows clinical and genetic heterogeneity, with other genes like PIK3CA and AKT1 also implicated, leading to the classification of PTEN Hamartoma Tumor Syndrome for better diagnosis.

The Dimensions of Social Inequality in America

119 implied HN points • 10 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social Inequality Race Critique Debate Experts
  1. The review of 'Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents' by Isabel Wilkerson sparked intense debates on race and inequality in America, especially post SCOTUS decisions.
  2. Challenging simplistic narratives about social phenomena is crucial to having nuanced discussions on complex topics like social inequality and race in America.
  3. Engaging with diverse perspectives from experts in the field, like Glenn Loury and Coleman Hughes, can lead to more thoughtful conversations about race and inequality.

The Four British Folkways Still Shaping America

99 implied HN points • 07 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture History Literature Sociocultural American Society Cultural analysis
  1. David Hackett Fischer's 'Albion's Seed' explores America's foundational cultural heritage and its impact on society today
  2. The book traces the influence of four British folkways on different regions of America, shaping its politics, economy, and culture
  3. Fischer's work demonstrates how these folkways have endured over centuries, influencing even the ethnic origins of American Presidents

There's Nothing to Rethink

99 implied HN points • 12 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Feminism Sexuality Gender Dynamics
  1. History has shown bizarre alliances between radical feminists and social conservatives against libertine culture and pornography
  2. Challenges in gender politics have led to changes in feminist labels and goals, blurring the lines between Right and Left ideologies
  3. Criticism of modern sexual ethics argues that the emphasis on consent overlooks emotional and psychological impacts, specifically for women