Essay Name: The exam that broke society
By: Yasheng Huang (Edited by Sam Haselby)
On 7 and 8 June 2023, close to 13 million high-school students in China sat for the world’s most gruelling college entrance exam.
Read the full essay here: https://aeon.co/essays/why-chinese-minds-still-bear-the-long-shadow-of-keju
The article examines the enduring influence of the Keju system, an ancient Chinese imperial civil service examination, on modern Chinese society and its educational and political systems. Keju, which was based on rigorous memorization of Confucian classics, was a pathway to bureaucratic positions and shaped a culture of deference to authority and collectivism. The system's meritocratic facade is critiqued for overshadowing its role in reinforcing autocracy and stifling societal development by monopolizing talent and intellectual growth. The article contrasts this with the development of civil services in the West, where bureaucracy evolved amidst a vibrant society with established rule of law and political pluralism, leading to a more balanced power dynamic between state and society.
Essay Name: Boredom is but a window to a sunny day beyond the gloom
By: Neel Burton (Edited by Nigel Warburton)
What, exactly, is boredom? It is a deeply unpleasant state of unmet arousal: we are aroused rather than despondent, but, for one or more reasons, our arousal cannot be met or directed.
Read the full essay here: https://aeon.co/ideas/boredom-is-but-a-window-to-a-sunny-day-beyond-the-gloom
The article explores the concept of boredom as a state of unmet arousal, where one is unable to engage with stimulating activities despite the desire to do so. It suggests that boredom can be a result of both internal factors, like a lack of imagination or motivation, and external factors, such as an absence of stimuli. The piece delves into the psychological impact of boredom, noting that it can lead to negative behaviors like overeating or substance abuse, but also highlights boredom's potential as a catalyst for change and self-reflection. It encourages embracing boredom as a means to drive ambition and creativity, citing historical figures like Bertrand Russell, who found productivity and satisfaction in the stillness of a prison cell.
Essay Name: The empty brain
By: Robert Epstein (Edited by Pam Weintraub)
No matter how hard they try, brain scientists and cognitive psychologists will never find a copy of Beethoven’s 5th Symphony in the brain – or copies of words, pictures, grammatical rules or any other kinds of environmental stimuli. The human brain isn’t really empty, of course.
Read the full essay here: https://aeon.co/essays/your-brain-does-not-process-information-and-it-is-not-a-computer
The article challenges the prevalent metaphor of the brain as a computer, which suggests that the brain processes information, stores data, and operates with a system of encoded knowledge similar to software. It argues that this metaphor is a simplistic way to explain the complex workings of the human brain and is not supported by scientific evidence. The brain, unlike a computer, does not store exact copies of experiences or operate on encoded representations of the world. Instead, the brain's functioning is a result of a dynamic and ongoing interaction with the environment, shaped by evolutionary mechanisms, sensory inputs, and learning processes. The article posits that understanding human intelligence and behavior requires moving beyond the information processing metaphor to a more nuanced appreciation of the brain's unique and intricate nature.
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1. What is the main argument of the essay? |
2. How does the essay define "digital minimalism"? |
3. What evidence does the essay provide to support the claim that excessive internet use can harm our mental health? |
4. How does the essay suggest that digital minimalism can benefit individuals? |
5. What practical strategies does the essay recommend for practicing digital minimalism? |
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