Summaries of books about Cultural Studies:
This Is Why We Can't Have Nice Things
Mapping the Relationship between Online Trolling and Mainstream Culture
Whitney Phillips
The book explores the origins and evolution of online trolling, examining its connections to broader societal attitudes and mainstream media. It delves into the ways in which trolls exploit and reflect cultural dysfunctions, often magnifying the worst aspects of social discourse.
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Blur
How to Know What's True in the Age of Information Overload
Bill Kovach|Tom Rosenstiel
The book explores the challenges of discerning credible information in today's digital and media-saturated environment. It provides readers with tools and concepts to evaluate the reliability of various sources and to navigate the overwhelming abundance of news and data.
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Taste in an Age of Endless Choice
Tom Vanderbilt
The book explores the concept of personal taste and how it is influenced by various factors in the modern era of abundant choices. It delves into the psychology, marketing, and social dynamics that shape our preferences in everything from food and art to entertainment and design.
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Culture Crash
The Killing of the Creative Class
Scott Timberg
The book examines the decline of the middle-class creative professionals, attributing it to economic and technological changes that have disrupted traditional paths to a sustainable artistic career. It explores the impact on various fields, including music, publishing, and journalism, and discusses the broader cultural implications of this shift.
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Lawyers, Liars and the Art of Storytelling
Jonathan Shapiro
The book offers a blend of practical legal advice, humor, and insight into the power of storytelling within the practice of law. It emphasizes how attorneys can effectively use narratives to persuade judges and juries, drawing on the author's experiences as both a lawyer and a writer for television.
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Rational Ritual
Culture, Coordination, and Common Knowledge
Michael Suk-Young Chwe
The book explores the concept of common knowledge and its crucial role in coordinating human activity and fostering collective action. It delves into the ways rituals and ceremonies create common knowledge that enables individuals to solve coordination problems in various social, economic, and political contexts.
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Against Creativity
Oli Mould
The book challenges the mainstream celebration of creativity as inherently positive, arguing that it has been co-opted by neoliberal capitalism to drive profit and reinforce the status quo. It critiques how creativity is often commodified and controlled, advocating for a reimagining of creativity that genuinely supports social and political change.
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Words Fail Us
In Defence of Disfluency
Jonty Claypole
The book explores the value and richness of disfluent speech, arguing that stammers, pauses, and so-called errors can convey meaning and emotion in ways that fluent speech cannot. It challenges the stigma associated with speech imperfections and advocates for a broader appreciation of the diverse ways in which people communicate.
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You Are Here
A Field Guide for Navigating Polarized Speech, Conspiracy Theories, and Our Polluted Media Landscape
Whitney Phillips|Ryan M. Milner
The book examines the challenges posed by a media environment saturated with misinformation, disinformation, and polarized communication. It provides insights into how conspiracy theories spread, the impact of toxic discourse on public understanding, and offers strategies for navigating and improving our interactions with information and each other in the digital age.
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Netflix Nations
The Geography of Digital Distribution
Ramon Lobato
The book investigates the global impact of Netflix as a major player in digital distribution, exploring how the platform has transformed media consumption, production, and distribution across different nations. It delves into the regulatory, cultural, and economic implications of streaming services, examining their effects on local media ecosystems and global entertainment landscapes.
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