Social Science Book Reviews

A poignant dissection of cognitive and cultural history and their dynamic relationship to fact and fiction, Conspiracy By Means of Natural Selection by Sherman P. Bastarache is an eye-opening contemporary thesis.

To achieve its stated purpose of interrogating how natural selection can create conspiring minds that, in turn, create conspiracy theories, this book delves deeply into cultural, evolutionary, and psychological trends across time, singling out points of overlap, conflict, and uncertainty before digging down into what those intersections and contradictions mean. Whether touching on Star Trek, quantum entanglement, Immanuel Kant, or anthropomorphic projection, this sprawling examination of thought, science, […]

A bold and visionary proposal for a better world, Cutting-Edge Ideas: Empowering Agents of Positive World Change by Laura Fienor is a wide-ranging treatise on what’s wrong with modern society and what we as individuals can do about it. Revolutionary change is intimidating for many reasons, but Fienor defiantly and articulately argues that we are collectively approaching too many points of no return, and that drastic measures must be taken.

Unapologetically pointing the finger at capitalism and consumerist society, as well as militarism, colonialism, misogyny, racism, and other ideological divides, Fienor’s voice is brazen, righteous, and refreshing, fearlessly laying out […]