Case studies

essays

The five stages of grief and the pandemic

JHB

I have been thinking about Kübler-Ross’s five stages of grief as they pertain to the pandemic. When I think of the first stage,** anger, the behaviors that come to mind include researching conspiracy theories, protesting lockdown, and refusing to wear a mask. I have engaged in some of these behaviors myself, mostly toward the start… Continue reading The five stages of grief and the pandemic

poetry

In every ideology, something true

JHB

I am not a capitalist, but there is a truth that life has become better since agriculture and that competition produces greatness. I am not a marxist, but there is a truth that profit is made through exploitation. I am not an anti-vaxxer, but there is a truth that pharmaceutical companies abuse their power and… Continue reading In every ideology, something true

essays

Grounded and ungrounded conspiracy theories

JHB

I want to introduce a distinction between grounded and ungrounded conspiracy theories, only the former of which deserves the name “theory.” This is an important distinction because it allows us to articulate dangers and potential sources of exploitation without veering into the speculative.  For an example, that it is dangerous for humans to communicate solely… Continue reading Grounded and ungrounded conspiracy theories