Aakriti M

Dazed’s Death of Cool report begins by summarizing the roots of cool: The origins of its modern meaning “trace back to West African traditions, where concepts like ‘itutu’ (Yoruba for ‘coolness’) symbolized spiritual composure, grace under pressure, and quiet strength.” This concept was later leveraged by African Americans, who used coolness “as a... See more

There’s a simple difference between art and ‘content.’ Content is made first and foremost for The Feed: the platform’s rules, constraints, best practices, and format requirements come first, and within those, a ‘creator’ inserts their whims. (Consider the trending-audio dance Reel: the moves, the song, the framing, the camera angle are all... See more

An alternative school of Darwinism emerged in Russia emphasizing cooperation, not competition, as the driver of evolutionary change. In 1902 this approach found a voice in a popular book, Mutual Aid: A Factor of Evolution , by naturalist and revolutionary anarchist pamphleteer Peter Kropotkin. In an explicit riposte to social Darwinists, Kropotkin... See more

Why do animals play? Well, why shouldn’t they? The real question is: Why does the existence of action carried out for the sheer pleasure of acting, the exertion of powers for the sheer pleasure of exerting them, strike us as mysterious? What does it tell us about ourselves that we instinctively assume that it is?

I think we have to choose to go into situations where we don’t know how they might pan out. Be willing to talk or engage with people who don’t share the carefully calibrated views that we broadcast online. In addition to making the effort with friends — new, old, promising acquaintances — and asking for the kind of help and support we need, as well... See more