Brian Klaas 's 'Fluke' ought to be made mandatory reading in every University, regardless of the stream in which a student chooses to specialise in. Definitely one of the books of the year 2024! Simply 'unputdownable'!
John Murray Press

I wrote about smartphone addiction, distraction culture, doomscrolling, why the Lifehack Bros™ are wrong, complete with a special chart that will solve all your problems—and why Samuel Pepys foreshadowed that we're just dopamine-addled apes back in 1665: forkingpaths.co/p/the-moronic-…

The notion that 'everything happens for a reason' is 'a central delusion of the MAGA movement, a fun-house-mirror reflection of reality as a world of perfect, top-down control,' Brian Klaas writes: theatlantic.com/international/…

Smartphone addiction is nothing new. Here's the English diarist Samuel Pepys, in 1665, talking about being addicted to checking his pocket watch. (I wrote about smartphone addiction, Jonathan Haidt, and the perils—and upsides—of distraction here: forkingpaths.co/p/the-moronic-…)

The 'Moronic Inferno' and 'the Fidgets,' OR Why My Phone is Now Black & White, by Brian Klaas forkingpaths.co/p/the-moronic-…

I wrote about smartphone addiction, distraction culture, doomscrolling, why the Lifehack Bros™ are wrong, complete with a special chart that will solve all your problems—and why Samuel Pepys foreshadowed that we're just dopamine-addled apes back in 1665: forkingpaths.co/p/the-moronic-…

Smartphone addiction is nothing new. Here's the English diarist Samuel Pepys, in 1665, talking about being addicted to checking his pocket watch. (I wrote about smartphone addiction, Jonathan Haidt, and the perils—and upsides—of distraction here: forkingpaths.co/p/the-moronic-…)

These discoveries at Pompeii are so exciting. It’s wonderful to see the beauty and quality of ancient painting and even better to be guided through it by the inestimable Dr Sophie Hay - can’t wait to see this show! bbc.co.uk/news/science-e…

'The notion that “everything happens for a reason” isn’t just a false mantra of comfort to stitch on flowery pillows; it’s also a central delusion of the MAGA movement, a fun-house-mirror reflection of reality as a world of perfect, top-down control.' theatlantic.com/international/…

Conspiracy theories/irrationality are deadly—our politicians, pundits, and influencers who peddle it inflict real suffering. This woman had 100,000 followers here and murdered her partner and kids because she thought the eclipse meant the apocalypse. nypost.com/2024/04/10/us-…

This article by Brian Klaas on MAGA conspiracy theories is the best succinct encapsulation of the psychology of conspiracism I can remember reading. theatlantic.com/international/…

As Galilei challenged the geocentric model of the universe, so did Brian Klaas challenge the individualistically centred perception of reality around us. I just started reading Fluke but it’s an absolutely brilliantly written invitation to think differently.

I coined a term: 'Schrodinger's Bureaucrat' - deemed by MAGA as too inept to manage, say, health care admin, but so ruthlessly effective that they can flawlessly manage a global cabal of thousands of bloodsucking Satanists without leaks or mistakes. theatlantic.com/international/…

Reading Brian Klaas' book, Fluke. I love it! I love his explanation that 'everything happens for a reason' is just a 'delusion'. I've always thought that was true but he writes so clearly and to the point.

Excellent article and very pertinent to our times.
Why We Need Fools: Jesters, Power, and Cults of Personality, by Brian Klaas open.substack.com/pub/brianklaas…

The notion that 'everything happens for a reason' is 'a central delusion of the MAGA movement, a fun-house-mirror reflection of reality as a world of perfect, top-down control,' Brian Klaas writes: theatlantic.com/international/…

My latest, in The Atlantic: “In MAGA World, Everything Happens for a Reason.” From earthquakes and eclipses to QAnon, here’s why Christian nationalists and people like Marjorie Taylor Greene are allergic to explanations rooted in science or randomness: theatlantic.com/international/…

I coined a term: 'Schrodinger's Bureaucrat' - deemed by MAGA as too inept to manage, say, health care admin, but so ruthlessly effective that they can flawlessly manage a global cabal of thousands of bloodsucking Satanists without leaks or mistakes. theatlantic.com/international/…

'The notion that “everything happens for a reason” isn’t just a false mantra of comfort to stitch on flowery pillows; it’s also a central delusion of the MAGA movement, a fun-house-mirror reflection of reality as a world of perfect, top-down control.' theatlantic.com/international/…