How to Cultivate Taste in the Age of Algorithms
When we turn to algorithms for recommendations instead of asking friends or going down hard-won cultural rabbit holes, what do we give up?
Sociology
Latest Stories
A Cognitive Labor of Love
In this award-winning personal essay, sociologist Allison Daminger reflects on how her research on the division of household “cognitive labor” influences the decisions she makes in her own relationship.
What Does Boredom Teach Us About How We Engage with History?
Teenagers get bored about a lot, but boredom is not a given. When it comes to engaging with difficult topics, it’s worth asking: Whose interests does boredom serve? What does it help people avoid?
Older Stories
What Our Pets Can Tell Us About Our Future With Robots
In her new book, robotics ethicist Kate Darling argues that we should look to our furry companions to understand the promises and pitfalls of our future with robots.
How Racism Shapes My Habits
Behavioral scientists love to talk about habits—creating more of the good ones, overcoming the bad. But the context is usually self-improvement, not self-preservation. Here’s a different perspective on habits.
How Couples Share “Cognitive Labor” and Why it Matters
Cognitive labor is unevenly distributed between men and women in households. New research shows there’s nuance to this breakdown, with implications for how we address gender equality across society.