In the late 19th century, psychologists and philosophers became intensely interested in the possibility of quantifying, measuring, and evaluating “intelligence,” and using it to separate and compare individuals. Disarming Intelligence analyzes how this polyvalent term was consolidated and contested in competing discourses, from fin de siècle psychology and philosophy to literature, criticism, and cultural polemics around the First World War.
What We Are Reading Today: ‘Reefs of Time’ by Lisa S. Gardiner
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With rising global temperatures, pollution, overfishing, ocean acidification, and other problems caused by humans, there’s no question that today’s coral reefs are in trouble.
As predictions about the future of these ecosystems grow increasingly dire, scientists are looking in an unlikely place for new ways to save corals: the past.
The reefs of yesteryear faced challenges too, from changing sea level to temperature shifts, and understanding how they survived and when they faltered can help guide our efforts to help ensure a future for reefs.
What We Are Reading Today: ‘Azazeel’
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- Ziedan addresses the historical context of early Christianity, highlighting the schisms and debates that shaped the faith
Author: Youssef Ziedan
“Azazeel” by Youssef Ziedan, winner of the 2009 International Prize for Arabic Fiction, is a profound exploration of faith, doubt and the complexities of the human spirit. The novel is set against the backdrop of the early Christian era and unfolds through the eyes of Hypa, a young monk navigating the tumultuous world around him.
Ziedan’s storytelling, translated by Jonathan Wright, is rich and immersive, transporting readers to the deserts of Egypt in the fifth century. His ability to weave together historical facts and fictional elements creates a vivid tapestry that illustrates the conflicts between different religious ideologies.
Hypa’s journey of self discovery, particularly his encounters with the enigmatic figure of Azazeel, invites readers to reflect on the nature of temptation and the struggle within us all.
One of the most compelling aspects of the novel for me was its exploration of the tension between science and religion. As a scholar and healer, Hypa embodies this struggle, grappling with rational thought and blind faith.
Ziedan addresses the historical context of early Christianity, highlighting the schisms and debates that shaped the faith. This was not just a personal journey for Hypa; it mirrored broader existential crises that resonate even today.
The philosophical musings and theological discussions sprinkled throughout the narrative invited me to ponder my own convictions and the nature of belief.
The lyrical quality of Ziedan’s prose brings the ancient world to life, with evocative descriptions that lingered in my mind. The characters are richly developed, each representing different facets of faith and morality.
Hypa’s internal struggles also reflect the external conflicts of a society grappling with change, a theme that resonates with many of us in today’s world.
I found some sections of the novel a bit slow, particularly where philosophical discussions took precedence over action. However, these moments are essential for the thematic depth Ziedan aims to achieve, prompting reflection and contemplation.
“Azazeel” is a thought-provoking novel that challenges readers to confront the complexities of faith, reason, and the human experience. Ziedan’s masterful storytelling and rich historical detail make it a compelling read, especially for those interested in the intersections of religion and philosophy.
This book is not merely a journey through history, it invites us to contemplate the timeless questions that define our existence, making it a profoundly rewarding experience.
What We Are Reading Today: ‘AI Snake Oil’
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Authors: Arvind Narayanan and Sayash Kapoor
Confused about AI and worried about what it means for your future and the future of the world? In “AI Snake Oil,” computer scientists Arvind Narayanan and Sayash Kapoor cut through the confusion to give you an essential understanding of how AI works and why it often doesn’t, where it might be useful or harmful, and when you should suspect that companies are using AI hype to sell AI snake oil—products that don’t work, and probably never will.
What We Are Reading Today: ‘How Do You Know?’ by Russell Hardin
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How do ordinary people come to know or believe what they do? We need an account of this process to help explain why people act as they do. You might think I am acting irrationally—against my interest or my purpose—until you realize that what you know and what I know differ significantly.
My actions, given my knowledge, might make eminently good sense. Of course, this pushes our problem back one stage to assess why someone knows or believes what they do. That is the focus of this book.
What We Are Reading Today: ‘Eyeliner: A Cultural History’
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- Hankir, who grew up Arab and Muslim in a predominately white neighborhood in the UK, candidly writes in the first part of the book about how eyeliner was a way for her to feel a sense of belonging
Author: Zahra Hankir
In her 2023 book, “Eyeliner: A Cultural History,” Lebanese British author Zahra Hankir helps us understand how and why eyeliner became so popular.
An accomplished journalist with degrees in politics and Middle Eastern studies, Hankir often writes about the intersection of politics and culture.
Her latest work is about something personal to her but also equally universal: eyeliner.
She reminds us how, throughout history, icons such as Queen Nefertiti of ancient Egypt, pop idol Amy Winehouse, Hollywood actress Elizabeth Taylor, as well as the anonymous men of nomadic tribes, and you or I — anyone, really — could pick up an eyeliner pencil and feel instantly transformed.
Hankir takes us on a journey that spans generations and continents. It starts with her at 17, being “dragged” to a family engagement party, vividly remembering her mother’s hazel eyes framed in forest green on her eyelids and jet-black kohl along her waterlines.
Hankir, who grew up Arab and Muslim in a predominately white neighborhood in the UK, candidly writes in the first part of the book about how eyeliner was a way for her to feel a sense of belonging.
“Originated in the East, I often felt as if I were traversing space and time and conversing with my ancestors while wearing it in the West,” Hankir writes in one passage. To her, eyeliner was a way to celebrate her identity and honor those who came before.
Then she detaches from her personal narrative and goes deeper into cultural history.
To minorities and communities of color, eyeliner transcends aesthetics, she writes. She emphasizes the rich historical and cultural significance of eyeliner through a journalistic eye, describing it as a tool infused with centuries of layered histories, including those of empires, royalty, nomads, and anyone in between.
You’ll see it sported by women on the New York City subway, models on the Paris runway, as well as Bedouin men in the remote deserts of the Arabian Peninsula. Members of the Taliban similarly smear a form of eyeliner onto their lids to repel the sun, as do those from indigenous tribes along mountain ranges.
“Eyeliner: A Cultural History” explores how, in ancient and modern times, the act of lining the eyes was imbued with various meanings ranging from the spiritual to the seductive.
The Prophet Muhammad is said to have used eyeliner, specifically kohl, which was believed to possess medicinal qualities. The Old Testament also describes eye paint in association with characters such as Jezebel, implying that eyeliner could have served as a means to challenge the social norms of the time.
Eyeliner can change the shape of your eye, making it appear larger or smaller, more fierce or subdued, depending on the angle, tint and intent.
Like the mighty pen, it can be a sword, as Hankir quotes in a popular Taylor Swift lyric: “Draw the cat eye sharp enough to kill a man.”
Overall, the history of eyeliner is rich and varied, as Hankir writes, with each culture and era assigning its own meanings and purposes to this seemingly simple cosmetic tool.
Hankir edited the 2019 anthology “Our Women on the Ground: Essays by Arab Women Reporting from the Arab World” in which Christiane Amanpour, CNN’s chief international anchor, wrote the foreword.