Latest news with #Arendt
Scientific American
16-05-2025
- Health
- Scientific American
Loneliness Is Inflaming Our Bodies—And Our Politics
Hannah Arendt has been on my mind a lot lately. The 20th-century German-Jewish political philosopher escaped the Nazi Holocaust, and won regard as one of the world's greatest public intellectuals at a time when few women were appointed to university faculties. She drew on history, literature and her own life to identify the conditions under which open and liberal societies turn into authoritarian states. Seven decades ago she made observations that still offer powerful insights today. In The Origins of Totalitarianism,Arendtemphasized one primary factor in the rise of authoritarianism that has little obvious connection to politics: loneliness. While we usually think of loneliness as not having our social needs met, Arendt defined the word as something deeper. Loneliness happens when there are no shared objective facts and no potential collective action to solve shared challenges. It's a state of being where you can't trust others. Loneliness, in Arendt's telling, inflames the connective tissues of a society. It weakens the body politic so that demagogues and despots can prey. 'What prepares men for totalitarian domination,' she wrote, '… is the fact that loneliness, once a borderline experience usually suffered in certain marginal social conditions like old age, has become an everyday experience.' Arendt—as far as I know—didn't use the word 'inflammation' to describe the effects of social isolation on a country or culture. But it's the metaphor that, to me, gets to the essence of her warning. On supporting science journalism If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today. Inflammation is the body's response to a sense of threat—a protective, contractionary response that can extend even to the cellular level. It's a response that can inhibit healing. A community or society that faces a deficit of meaningful connectedness is similarly in a state of perpetual threat; people are unable to listen to one another, to trust each other, to maintain trust in shared institutions, or to collectively overcome divisions. This might sound familiar. From 2003 to 2022, face-to-face socializing among U.S. men fell by 30 percent. For teenagers, it was a staggering 45 percent. An estimated 12 percent of Americans report having no close friends, a fourfold increase since 1990. While social media was supposed to amplify human connection, the rise of comparison culture, social sorting into echo chambers and the rapid decline of in-person social connection have instead coincided with unprecedented levels of anxiety, depression and distrust. It should therefore come as no surprise that, in America, we're seeing democratic backsliding like Hannah Arendt warned of—including mass polarization, intentional disinformation and a politics of fear, retribution and rage. Loneliness inflames societies. It just so happens that loneliness inflames the body, too. Two decades ago, researchers Louise Hawkley and John Cacioppo at the University of Chicago demonstrated in a landmark study that loneliness acts as a chronic stressor that triggers the body's innate stress-response systems. Social isolation keeps the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in a constant state of arousal, driving persistent cortisol release. This hormonal imbalance heightens inflammation. And this can, in turn, weaken the immune system, compromise cardiovascular health and worsen vulnerability to mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety. In short, the absence of meaningful social bonds can literally recalibrate the body's physiological mechanisms toward greater stress and illness. Over the past two decades, further studies have only reinforced the link between loneliness and inflammatory pathways. George Slavich of the University of California, Los Angeles, underscores that experiencing social disconnection can mimic physical threats in how our brains and immune systems respond—magnifying the release of inflammatory agents. From an evolutionary standpoint, sustained isolation disrupts our primal need for social integration—leading to inflammation and a whole host of downstream consequences. It's easy to downplay the loneliness problem. When former U.S. surgeon general Vivek Murthy warned of the dangers of social isolation and proposed solutions, no meaningful government interventions ensued. Likewise, when the U.K. government appointed a minister for loneliness in 2018, many likened the move to a Monty Python sketch rather than seeing it as a serious policy intervention. But the medical, social and even political costs of growing social isolation mean that we can no longer afford to ignore it. Some solutions are straightforward. Medical innovators are now addressing social isolation through practices like ' social prescribing '—wherein health professionals connect patients who are lonely with nonmedical community services, volunteer programs, exercise groups and arts activities to improve their well-being. Instead of writing prescriptions for pills, doctors can prescribe a free pass to a museum, an invitation to join a gardening club, or a support group for people facing similar struggles. A recent multiyear evaluation of nature-oriented social prescribing in the U.K. found that programs significantly helped participants reduce anxiety and improve happiness. Other solutions are more systemic. When Pete Buttigieg ran for president in 2020, he laid out an agenda for ' belonging and healing '—emphasizing new funding and policies around mental health and addiction as well as national service to rebuild community institutions and promote environmental restoration. Leaders should propose scaling up 'belonging infrastructure'—transit, green spaces, cultural venues, and mental health centers—while expanding purpose-driven national service programs like Americorps and investing in local journalism through public grants or tax incentives to restore trusted information sources and restore important foundations of community life. This should be a bipartisan cause. Conservatives and liberals alike have an opening to address the crisis by leveraging faith and veterans' groups–for example, granting tax incentives or small federal matches that could help churches, synagogues, and veterans' groups build mentoring initiatives, addiction recovery support and efforts to revitalize parks, libraries and civic spaces. There's also growing bipartisan recognition of the role of social media in the crisis. In tackling big tech's impact on youth, leaders across the ideological spectrum should push toward full algorithmic transparency, restrictions to exploitative design features, and mandates for robust digital well-being protections for children. Like inflammation in the body, social isolation weakens our civic 'immune system,' fueling polarization and making us more susceptible to authoritarian impulses. But Hannah Arendt emphasized that the condition is reversible. By investing in the foundations of shared belonging, we can restore our adapt to adapt to the challenges we face—from wildfires to pandemics to misinformation. It's time to get serious about our healing.
Boston Globe
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
A girl and her father wash up in mysterious shelter by the sea, where they meet a trio of philosophers
Over the next few years, Lina's timeless neighbors become a chosen family. From their home in Foshan, Lina's father has brought only three volumes of a 90-book series named 'The Great Lives of Voyagers.' The books tell the life stories of historian Hannah Arendt, best known for her work ' Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up With a setting as fascinating and surreal as The Sea, it's slightly disappointing that the alternating biographies of Arendt, Spinoza, and Du dominate the book. Lina's narration takes a distant backseat to the philosophers' trials, tribulations, and travels. These biographies are supposed to be instructive to Lina's quest to learn why she and her father have come to The Sea without her mother and brother. But this plotline feels largely inert because while readers are reminded of the dangers of totalitarianism and the tragic toll of forced migration and exile, Lina is like us: a passive receiver of familiar messages. Advertisement Arendt and Spinoza, in particular, take center stage. We follow Arendt through the formative traumas of her life, including her imprisonment by the Gestapo for researching antisemitism, and eventually, her perilous escape from Nazi-controlled France into Spain. Once in Spain, she travels to Lisbon and boards a ship to America, where she eventually settled and became renowned as an author and thinker. Spinoza's life story follows a similar arc. His pantheistic opinions lead to his expulsion from the Portuguese Jewish community in Amsterdam. Spinoza's philosophies cross over into Arendt's storyline, because her work was strongly influenced by his. The backstory of Lina's father's involvement in the creation of The Sea is delivered to the reader whole, via flashback, again without Lina having to do very much. This revelatory section happens in a futuristic China where hundreds have died in a Tiananmen Square-like 'catastrophe.' Lina's father finds himself working for a company named Days and Months Technology Corp Ltd., and with a name like that, it's easy to tell that this firm is up to no good. Advertisement Lina's father's backstory only makes The Sea more fascinating, and this reader wanted to understand the mechanics of its construction. The payoff, however, stops well short of explaining the science fiction, and Lina's father's betrayal will feel expected for anyone familiar with the Cultural Revolution. The Lina storyline, already hampered by a lack of movement, gets bogged down by repetition and a penchant for mysterious philosophical statements from her neighbors that, unfortunately, recall the musings of Yoda. 'You must let go of your fear ,' Du Fu's father tells himself at one point. Meanwhile, one of the scholars instrumental to the design of the Sea says, 'The deeper you fall into the architecture of the system…the closer you come to reality.' It's a sentiment Bento and Lina will repeat. 'Time never goes missing,' Bento proclaims. 'I think the structure of reality can be no other way.' While the musicality of such sentences is pleasing, their meanings remain elusive. Fans of books like Mohsin Hamid's ' Though one can't help but admire the breadth of Thien's imagination, it's the child's story by the sea that this reader wanted more of. Advertisement Leland Cheuk is an award-winning author of three books of fiction, most recently ' THE BOOK OF RECORDS By Madeleine Thien Norton, 368 pages, $28.99
Business Recorder
23-04-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Path to inclusive growth and innovation
In a rapidly digitizing world, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has emerged as transformative force, behind regional and global progress by fostering innovation, connectivity, and efficiency across various sectors. The growing importance of digital technologies and the emergence of the digital economy in the advancement of societies and economies has been broadly acknowledged. From the industrial revolution to the digital age, technology has consistently propelled social change (Nawaz, H., 2023). The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals emphasize the role of (ICT) in realizing universal identification, promoting efficient governance and enhancing financial inclusion, Likewise, a body of literature supports the idea that digital adoption influences economic growth (Arendt, 2015; Eberhard et al., 2015), efficiency (Bygstad & Hanseth, 2019), and job creation (Chege et al., 2020), healthcare opportunities (Haluza, D., & Jungwirth, D., 2015), social inclusion (UN, 2012), and enhances individuals' capacity, mobility, accessibility, and affordability (Yang, Y., et al., 2013). In fact, advancements in digital adoption have influenced all facets of human life (Mitrovic, Z., et al., 2013). For developing nations, such as Pakistan, digital adoption, literacy, transformation and integration are indispensable for bridging the socioeconomic disparities, creating job opportunities for youth, and enhancing inclusive growth and development. With its transformative potential, ICT remains a key pillar in building a more connected, knowledgeable, and progressive Pakistan. However, despite its vast potential, in Pakistan, ICT adoption remains uneven across different segments of society. Our upcoming paper for the 38th AGM and Conference of PSDE, revels that in Pakistan, digital literacy remains alarmingly low at just 4.2%, digital usage is comparatively better at 20.1%, but not satisfactory and a majority 93% of individuals have not experienced ICT transformation. Additionally, the findings reveal gender divides in digital adoption, with male outperforming female in all matrices; with 27% of men use digital tools compared to 14% of women. Men also lead in digital literacy (4.3% vs. 2.3%) and transformation (10.1% vs. 3.4%). Region-wise, marginalized areas like Baluchistan and underprivileged communities experiencing lower ICT adoption rates Consequently, ICT Development Index (ITC 2017) ranked Pakistan at 148 out of 175 countries in the - the lowest among South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries. On the Digital Evolution Index, Pakistan was ranked 56th out of 60 countries. Furthermore, the state of internet accessibility in Pakistan is well below international standards and considerably lower than other regional countries. Pakistan has been ranked 90th out of 120 countries on the inclusive internet index. Our study reveals that in Pakistan's ICT adaptation, literacy and transformation is shaped by demographic characteristics, socio-economic factors, and infrastructural access. Education is the key determinant, with higher educational level increasing the probability of ICT usage and literacy and literacy. Gender divide persist, as males are more likely to adopt ICT. Age is another important factor, with younger individual exhibiting greater ICT adoption compared to older age groups. On the socio-economic front, higher household earnings enhance ICT usage and literacy by enabling access to technology, although remittances do not show a significant effect on digital skill development. Access to ICT and internet at home significantly boosts all three aspects of ICT adoption, creating conducive environments for skill-building and digital engagement. Moreover, individuals living in urban areas and big cities benefit from better infrastructure, connectivity, and competitive environments, which collectively promote ICT transformation. On the supply side, ICT infrastructure at the stratum level plays a significant role in driving ICT adoption. Given the poor performance in ICT adaptation, literacy, and transformation, and the growing youth population, there is significant potential for positive change, and the good news is that the government is committed to harnessing the digital change, through the 5 Es framework, with a focus on the second pillar—E-Pakistan. The objective is to drive Pakistan into the digital era by ensuring universal access to affordable, reliable, and high-quality ICT services. The focus this initiative is on: Digital Infrastructure, which seeks to provide high-speed internet nationwide, especially in rural and underserved areas; Digital Skills, through initiatives like the DigiSkills programme to boost digital literacy and enhance employment opportunities; Digital Governance, aiming to streamline government services via e-governance platforms; Digital Innovation, fostering a culture of innovation to support startups and research and development; and Digital Inclusion, ensuring that marginalized groups, including women and people with disabilities, are not left behind in the digital revolution. These efforts demonstrate the government's seriousness in addressing ICT barriers and creating new opportunities for all citizens, especially the youth, by unlocking the vast potential of the digital economy. Additionally, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) is leading the national conversation in this regard. Its upcoming 38thAnnual General Meeting (AGM) and Conference on 'URAAN Pakistan' is bringing together policymakers, researchers, and development experts to explore solutions to pressing challenges, with a particular focus on economic growth and the integration of technology in various sectors of Pakistan. To sum up, digital adaptation is no longer a choice but it is a necessity for Pakistan's future. If we are to create an inclusive, resilient, and competitive Pakistan, we must treat digital access as a fundamental right. The path forward lies in synergizing research insights, grassroots realities, and policy ambition. The Five-Es initiative is a bold start. Now is the time to operationalize it with urgency, equity, and evidence-based planning. (The writer is a Research Associate at the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE). He can be reached via Email: [email protected]) Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
CBS News
19-04-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Colorado mother and daughter prepare cottage bakery for Easter
With Easter fast approaching, a small Colorado family bakery in Douglas County called Midwest Mom's is busy preparing cookies, chocolates and other treats. They say Easter weekend is one of their busiest times of the year. Mother and daughter baking together. It's a tradition that goes back generations in this Italian family. "Grandpa taught me how to do bread when I was little," said Catherine Price, who lives with husband and mother, Diane Arendt, in Castle Rock. After moving to Colorado from Chicago in 2020, Arendt lost her husband in 2022 and was craving a piece of home. "After my husband died, I really didn't know what to do with myself, and I started just baking here and there. And my daughter's friends really liked stuff and wanted to know if I would make different things. And it just kind of blossomed from there. I had no intention of doing this, no. But then it just started to take off," Arendt said. "When we moved here, we didn't, there weren't any, like, bakeries, like back home," said Price. "And so we just started doing things other people don't do, you know, doing our Chicago-style bakery cookies." With the help of her daughter, Price, she started a cottage bakery out of the home they share, and in 2024, Midwest Mom's was born. "We have so much fun together. I'm more sales, marketing, making the things pretty. She makes everything taste delicious," Price said. Thanks to word of mouth and social media, the orders began pouring in. "This runs like a well-oiled machine here," Price said, while she and her mother rolled cinnamon rolls. Holidays like Easter are their bread and butter. They have about 50 orders for the holiday weekend this year. "The other morning, I started at 4:30," Arendt said. "We'll go till, you know, sometimes 8 at night. It's the oven time. How much can you possibly get in an oven?" "I love that people celebrate Easter," Price said. "We're a lot busier this Easter than we were last Easter. So this is, I keep calling it Christmas 2.0." Arendt cooks with plenty of her favorite ingredients, but Midwest Mom's recently started offering gluten-friendly items. "There's a lot more activity here. But for the most part, we figured out that people will indulge basically around the holidays," Arendt said. "No shortcuts. We put plenty of icing," said Price, while her mother iced a tray of cinnamon rolls. While the handmade sweets are hard to resist, the pair says it's the feeling of mom's kitchen that keeps customers coming back. "It's really about memories, and if, for some people, it's creating new ones, for others, it's bringing back old ones that they have an attachment to," Arendt said. "We put a lot of love into it." "This is us sharing a part of our family with other families. We want people to come in and feel welcome and feel warm," said Price. "It's not about the bakery, you know? It's about so much more." On Easter weekend, Midwest Mom's is open Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and closed on Easter Sunday. Typically, customers can pick up from Midwest Mom's seven days a week. They ask that you call ahead for special orders. The bakery is an at-home cottage bakery, which the state of Colorado does not license, but Midwest Mom's is certified by the state in safe food handling.
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Letters to the Editor: The 'banality of evil' described by political theorist Hannah Arendt is taking hold in the United States
To the editor: I read with deep sadness the article by Jackie Calmes reflecting on the writings of Hannah Arendt ("What Hannah Arendt saw in Hitler's Germany, we can see in Trump's America," April 10). As a former teacher of American History, I taught my students about the Constitution and the rule of law. My students were instructed on what happens when the balance of power is out of control. My eighth-graders learned about Nazi Germany and what led to the rise of Hitler. My classes often would ask how people just stood by and watched as the ugliness of genocide unfolded. Never could I have imagined the possibility of that happening in our country. But we are living in times that suggest that we value one-man rule instead of democracy. We must be part of the solution of saving our valued institutions or we too will be held responsible for our democracy's demise. Micki Wood, Fullerton .. To the editor: In Calmes' excellent column about Arendt, she does not explicitly mention Arendt's important concept of the "banality of evil," which observes that evil can be perpetrated and assented to by ordinary people, not just monsters, through thoughtlessness, ignorance, disinterest or lack of critical thinking. It can also be allowed to take hold because of the unquestioning obedience to a leader of bureaucrats who may not be inherently evil but have other selfish interests that cause them to overlook or disregard the dangerous intents of the person they serve. We must all become more aware of the warning signs. Lewis T. Rosenthal, Los Angeles .. To the editor: Reading the column on Arendt's writings about Hitler's rise to authoritarian power, I was reminded of the saying by philosopher George Santayana: "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." We may be here again, only nine decades later. Evelyn Goodman, Culver City .. To the editor: I'd like to congratulate Calmes on her article. She nailed it! Everything that President Trump is doing is the start of a dictatorship. Everyone should read this column. It's fantastic. Hopefully, I'll watch the PBS documentary on Arendt on June 27. Lolita Coffey, Torrance .. To the editor: Arendt's "The Origins of Totalitarianism" is a far more encompassing analysis of authoritarian, freedom-denying regimes than Hitler's Germany. Upon reading, it's easy — if not more likely — to conclude that Arendt's much greater fear would be of today's Democrats and it's Marxist wing (progressives), both culturally and economically, and supported by academia, the entertainment industry and much of the media. Kip Dellinger, Santa Monica This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
