My Mazamet

Life at № 42 by E.M. Coutinho

Religion as a Tool in Social Dominance Theory

“Social dominance theory was put forth by two researchers, Jim Sidanius and Felicia Pratto, in 1999. Specifically, Sidanius and Pratto attempted to explain how, and why, social structures seemed to … Continue reading

July 6, 2018 · 34 Comments

Chris Hayes: What ‘Law and Order’ Means to Trump – The New York Times

“… In this view, crime is not defined by a specific offense. Crime is defined by who commits it. If a young black man grabs a white woman by the … Continue reading

March 18, 2018 · 28 Comments

Sophisticated Theology™ in Group Structures (and politics)

Something absolutely fascinating happened to me yesterday. D.P. Monahan, who sometimes comments here, pointed me to a blog by someone called Hoyt who’d written a post on Matriarchy/Patriarchy. She (and … Continue reading

October 19, 2017 · 37 Comments

Rank reversal aversion inhibits redistribution across societies | Nature Magazine, Human Behaviour

  “Income inequality is pervasive despite evidence of inequality-averse social preferences. We show that people will sometimes support inequality to avoid reversing the rank of others in society. Using a … Continue reading

July 15, 2017 · 13 Comments

Aristocratic Ants, New York Times, 1892

July 3, 2017 · 17 Comments

Our Very Own Honour Killings: 15enne uccide l’amico per un like su Facebook – Corriere.it

Un like di troppo e un commento, poco appropriato, sotto la foto di una ragazzina postata sul suo profilo Facebook, ha convinto Alex, 15 anni, che quello era uno sgarbo … Continue reading

June 1, 2017 · 15 Comments

The science of inequality: why people prefer unequal societies | Inequality | The Guardian

“… For example, studies of income and happiness have revealed that, once a basic level of wealth is achieved, relative wealth is more important for overall happiness. Similarly, a vast … Continue reading

May 4, 2017 · 31 Comments

Why we are willing to pay for mega expensive things

by Paul Harrison Director, Centre for Employee and Consumer Wellbeing; Senior lecturer, Deakin Business School- The Conversation Australia “It may not seem logical or good value for money, but there are … Continue reading

December 29, 2016 · 31 Comments

Welcome to the age of anger

The seismic events of 2016 have revealed a world in chaos – and one that old ideas of liberal rationalism can no longer explain by Pankaj Mishra “Writing in the … Continue reading

December 8, 2016 · 22 Comments

Viviane Amsalem & Body Ritual Among the Nacirema

Last night we watched Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem. Everything about it is superb. Watch the trailer because it gives a very good idea of how the film plays … Continue reading

November 30, 2016 · 1 Comment

Must Read: Resisting Resentment Politics Down Under, Paul Tyson

How owning our Resentment can save Australian Politics In this piece, Paul Tyson, honorary Research Fellow at the University of Queensland, outlines his take on the rise of right wing … Continue reading

November 10, 2016 · 5 Comments

Lipovetsky on Lightness

I haven’t read it yet- but have read much about it, including a couple of the author’s interviews. The topic interests me. He discusses modern society and the new culture of … Continue reading

October 21, 2016 · 28 Comments

Racial identity is a biological nonsense, says Reith lecturer

  It’ll only take you a few minutes to read this (by this I mean the full text!), go on, indulge me! “Regarded as one of the world’s greatest thinkers … Continue reading

October 18, 2016 · 42 Comments

A Lesson From ‘Brexit’: On Immigration, Feelings Trump Facts – The New York Times

“Many citizens, particularly those who have suffered under the economic pressures of globalization, express their anxiety over these changes by focusing on another form of change: foreigners in their midst. … Continue reading

June 29, 2016 · 11 Comments

Outstanding documentary – The Dishonesty Project (The Matrix Experiment)

(Dis)Honesty – The Truth About Lies: Feature Film It’s human nature to lie; we all do it! From scandalous headlines to little white lies, (Dis)Honesty – The Truth About Lies … Continue reading

June 16, 2016 · 15 Comments