Daily Reads 6: News Sources | Verbal Ability (VA) & Reading Comprehension (RC) - CAT PDF Download

Article 1

Article Name: Where Does Antisemitism Come From?
By: Isaac Chotiner
Source: The New Yorker 

Since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7th, and Israel’s subsequent bombing and invasion of Gaza, antisemitic incidents have been rising across the world.

Read the full article here: https://www.newyorker.com/news/q-and-a/where-does-antisemitism-come-from

Summary and Theme

The article explores the surge in antisemitic incidents globally, following the conflict between Hamas and Israel. It delves into the complex relationship between antisemitism and political events, particularly those in the Middle East, and the challenges in defining and discussing antisemitism. The discussion with historian David Feldman highlights the nuances of antisemitic ideologies, the impact of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition, and the newer Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism. It also touches on the delicate balance between understanding the causes of hate crimes and not excusing them.

Difficult Words

• Antisemitism: Hostility, prejudice, or discrimination against Jews.
• Ideological: Based on or relating to a system of ideas and ideals, especially concerning economic or political theory and policy.
• Diaspora: Jews living outside Israel; the dispersion of any people from their original homeland.
• Mainstream: The ideas, attitudes, or activities that are regarded as normal or conventional; the dominant trend in opinion, fashion, or the arts.

Article 2

Article Name: China's netizens demand to be heard
By: Nayan Chanda
Source: The Times of India

Chairman Mao famously said, "Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun." This week the powerful Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) that Mao created celebrated its 85th anniversary with pomp and splendour.

Read the full article here: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/edit-page/chinas-netizens-demand-to-be-heard/articleshow/15343361.cms

Summary and Theme

The article discusses the rise of China's netizens, particularly users of Weibo, China's equivalent of Twitter, and their increasing influence on governance and public discourse. Despite strict government censorship, Weibo has been a platform for exposing corruption, leading to official resignations and policy reversals. The platform has grown rapidly and has become a tool for citizens to express grievances and mobilize, challenging the traditional power structures in China.

Difficult Words

• Netizens: Citizens of the internet; users who actively participate in online communities.
• Pomp: Ceremonial splendor and magnificence.
• Malfeasance: Wrongdoing, especially by a public official.
• Subterfuge: Deceit used to achieve one's goal.
• Censors: Officials who examine materials (like books, movies, or posts) and suppress unacceptable parts.

Article 3

Article Name: Scarcity: Why Having Too Little Means So Much by Sendhil Mullainathan and Eldar Shafir
Source: The Guardian

Behind every coalition promise to "get tough on single mothers", behind every Daily Mail story about Britain's "handout culture", or Mitt Romney's notorious comments about "the 47%", there lies an assumption: that being poor is a failure of character

Read the full article here: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/aug/23/scarcity-sendhil-mullainathan-eldar-shafir

Summary and Theme

The article reviews the book "Scarcity: Why Having Too Little Means So Much" by Sendhil Mullainathan and Eldar Shafir, which challenges the notion that poor people's bad decisions are a result of character flaws. Instead, it argues that scarcity itself affects cognitive capacity, leading to a 'bandwidth tax' that impairs decision-making and perpetuates poverty. The authors extend the concept of scarcity beyond financial constraints to include time, social contact, and other resources, showing how scarcity in any form can lead to a tunnel vision that hampers long-term planning and wise decision-making.

Difficult Words

• Vicious cycle: A complex chain of events that reinforces itself through a feedback loop.
• Bandwidth tax: The cognitive load that scarcity places on individuals, reducing their mental bandwidth.
• Tunnel vision: The tendency to focus exclusively on a single or limited goal or point of view.
• Cognitive resources: Mental capabilities such as attention, memory, and reasoning that are available for use in decision-making.
• Nudge-style suggestions: Subtle policy shifts that aim to influence decision-making in a predictable way without forbidding any options or significantly changing economic incentives.