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Human beings change the world in order to know it more easily and reliably. That is, we construct social and material environments, or 'epistemic niches', and develop cognitive tools to better acquire, transmit, or store information. A queue, for example, is an environment where information about the order of arrival is conveyed by a spatial configuration. Queues are niches that transform an arduous memory task into a simpler perceptual one. In this important book, Alessandra Tanesini argues that knowledge and ignorance always occur within epistemic niches and that neither can be properly described or evaluated independently of the niches within which it is found. She explores two dominant themes. First, epistemic niches in the Global North and, increasingly, elsewhere are quantified niches that promote transforming the world into aggregates of data that are suitable for classification, measurement, ranking, standardisation, and automation. These niches carry distinctive epistemic benefits and disadvantages. Second, some epistemic niches are in the service of ignorance and oppression rather than knowledge. Tanesini offers analyses of some environments that promote epistemic exploitation, appropriation, cultural imperialism, and epistemic extractivism. Social Epistemology: The Niches for Knowledge and Ignorance is a groundbreaking work for students and scholars of philosophy, political theory, social psychology, and related disciplines.

Today, many readers could easily list thirty classic authors, or thirty classic works of art, literature, music, philosophy, or science. But would they be able to name thirty classic works of history? In spite of history's outsized influence in the world of ideas, the books that made - and-remade - the history we know so well are often forgotten. In this panoramic book, distinguished historian Jaume Aurell sets out to introduce readers to a new canon of historical writing. Taking a global approach, he places the work of Herodotus, Thucydides, Gibbon, Michelet and Braudel alongside masterpieces from a myriad of periods and civilizations, from Sima Qian, Anna Komnene, al-Masudi and Fukuzawa Yukichi to Edmundo O'Gorman, C. L. R. James and Natalie Zemon Davis. At the same time, Aurell argues that we should not see these books as a definitive canon - instead, any canon should be seen as a list-in-progress to be contested and debated anew with each generation. It is only by being exposed to these diverse and deeply significant works that we can fully perceive the shape of the discipline, and carve out a new appreciation for the art of history writing.

Capitalism is hitting the buffers. Unable to handle the various crises that its inherent logic of growth, profit, and competition has produced, it has led the world into a state of emergency - with the authoritarian right on the rise globally and progressive forces unable to realize the transformations needed to secure the future prosperity of people and planet. 'The old is dying and the new cannot be born', Gramsci said. We are caught between forces agitating for fundamental change, Green Capitalist modernizers, and fierce defenders of the status quo. How did this happen, and what is to be don? n this new book, Ulrich Brand and Markus Wissen, authors of the acclaimed The Imperial Mode of Living, trace how capitalism has reached its very limits. Alongside the mutually reinforcing environmental, geopolitical, and social crises we face, they analyse the struggles that will determine the fate of humanity. Critiquing dominant pathways - from Green Capitalism to authoritarian and anti-ecological policies - that reinforce the Global North's imperial mode of living, the authors offer a fairer alternative based on solidarity and collective self-limitation. Capitalism at the Limit is a clear-sighted look at the dynamics driving the critical conflicts of our time.

It’s August 2015. After twenty-five years of archaeological research in a secluded cave overlooking the Rhône Valley in southern France, Ludovic Slimak uncovers the remains of a Neanderthal, frozen in time – a discovery that casts fresh light on a critical turning point in human history. Could these remains belong to one of the last Neanderthals? As scientists from around the world analyze the site, their findings disrupt everything we thought we knew about the final days of these ancient humans. This discovery takes us to the defining threshold when multiple human species, once coexisting in the same world, are wiped from history—leaving Homo sapiens as the sole human survivor. Slimak takes the reader on an extraordinary journey of discovery that is both scientific and profoundly human, blending rigorous research with evocative storytelling. This breathtaking exploration of the past not only unearths the lost world of the Neanderthals but forces us to confront the unspoken question: is this how humanity die? compelling narrative spanning millennia, The Last Neanderthal is both a groundbreaking scientific revelation and a profound reflection on the fragility of humanity and the threads that connect us to the distant past.

Pizza is the Italian food that has conquered the world: from Brussels to LA, from Beijing to Buenos Aires, pizzas and pizzerias can be found everywhere today. But what are the origins of this food and how did it rise from its humble beginnings to become the world’s best-loved dish? The story begins in the narrow alleys of Naples where, in the late eighteenth century, the city’s impoverished inhabitants lived in a state of constant hunger. Pizza was born as a street food to assuage the hunger of Naples’ poor. Cheap and versatile, it remained anonymous for more than a century – the few outsiders who encountered this strange flatbread, “more burned than cooked,” either loved it or hated it. Gradually pizza spread to other parts of Italy and then, with the mass migration of Italians to the New World, it landed in the United States, where it enjoyed unprecedented success, invigorated by new ingredients, new recipes, and new tastes. Today, Americans are the biggest consumers of pizza in the world, at 13 kilos per head per year. The renowned culinary historian Luca Cesari retraces the story of pizza’s rise from the backstreets of Naples to a global industry now worth more than $200 billion a year. He describes how pizzas were made, the ingredients used, and the reactions of travelers, critics, and consumers. Richly illustrated with recipes from different times and places, The History of Pizza will transform your view of Italy’s most iconic food.

‘SUMO is a brilliant book, packed with simple, inspirational and innovative ideas that can be applied to any aspect of your life. Paul’s knowledge, enthusiasm and ability to clearly explain these methods is unsurpassed. I heartily recommend this excellent read.’ Professor Damian Hughes, Author and Co-Host of The High Performance Podcast ‘Paul offers a fresh, practical and down to earth approach to change and getting the best from life. An uplifting read for anyone looking to find their spark.’ Owen O'Kane, Psychotherapist & Sunday Times Best Selling Author Want some straight-talking advice on how to really improve your life? In the 20th Anniversary Edition of SUMO (Shut Up, Move On): The Straight-Talking Guide to Succeeding in Life, bestselling author and personal development heavyweight Paul McGee delivers inspiring insights by revealing how hundreds of thousands of people around the world are fulfilling their potential, seizing opportunities, succeeding at home and at work, and increasing their resilience by adopting the SUMO approach to life. McGee combines hard-won personal insights, ancient wisdom, modern science, hilarious anecdotes, practical tips, and hands-on frameworks to offer a life-changing read. New to this edition is an exploration of how real people have profoundly improved their lives with the book's timeless principles and strategies, providing a testament to the enduring power of the SUMO principles. You'll find: Exciting and inspirational advice for taking control of your own lifeWays to change your thinking, mindset, and approach to life's inevitable obstaclesIdeas to improve your understanding and awareness of the way that other people see the world Perfect for people wanting a straight-talking approach to success, as well as those who are already fans of the SUMO way of thinking, this new 20th Anniversary Edition is a must-have resource for everyone who's ready to ditch the “whatever will be, will be” fatalism in favor of a practical guide to being the best you can be and achieving what you've always dreamed about.

A timeless tale of redemption and the spirit of Christmas A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens' beloved novella, captures the essence of the festive season and the transformative power of kindness and compassion. Written in 1843, this classic story has become synonymous with Christmas and continues to resonate with readers of all ages. Set in Victorian London, A Christmas Carol follows the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge, who is visited by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come. Through these supernatural encounters, Scrooge is forced to confront his own selfishness and the impact of his actions on others. The novella explores themes of generosity, forgiveness, and the importance of human connection. Dickens' vivid portrayal of the bustling streets of London and the stark contrast between wealth and poverty serves as a powerful social commentary on the inequalities of the time. The story's enduring appeal lies in its universal message of hope and the possibility of change, making it a perfect read for the festive season. Despite being published over 180 years ago, A Christmas Carol remains relevant today, reminding us of the importance of empathy and the joy that comes from helping others. It's perfect for fans of classic literature and those seeking a heartwarming tale to celebrate the spirit of Christmas.

The many mass protests that have taken place since 2011 have been characterised by an unmistakable need to challenge, overthrow and destroy the prevailing political representations without proposing new ones. The protests are not concerned with replacing the current government or leader with others, and thus getting a better version of what we already have. Instead, they refuse all leaders, including the most critical opposition leaders: these protests are about dismantling the need for leaders. More and more people are coming to the view that it is not possible to manage the many crises within the framework of the political institutions we have today. The new protests are political acts that are neither class struggle nor the establishment of an opposition to those in power. Rasmussen argues that we should understand these protests as the emergence of a new kind of revolutionary action that is as much an anthropological as a political transformation: it is an attempt to break free from all the traditional notions of how the social context that we call society and the nation-state is organised.

Beauty belongs to no one. But what about the objects that museums celebrate as great works of art: to whom do they belong? Do they belong to the places where they originated? To the cultures whose genius they embody? To the enlightened collectors who saw their value and appropriated them? Or to the whole of humanity which has access to them through institutions dedicated to their preservation? And if the latter, how can we justify the fact that some people are able to enjoy what is supposed to be a universally shared heritage while others cannot? We can begin to answer these questions, argues Bénédicte Savoy, by examining how these objects actually came to be with us and what their journeys reveal about our history and its violence and asymmetries, both symbolic and real. These objects have no doubt left their mark on the places where they arrived; they have also left wounds that are still raw in the places from which they came. The bust of Nefertiti, the Great Pergamon Altar, The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, the ‘Sistine Madonna’, the Old Summer Palace bronze heads, Watteau’s L'Enseigne de Gersaint, the ‘Bangwa Queen’, Klimt’s Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer, the Benin bronzes: through the journeys of these iconic works, Savoy reflects on desire and domination, on rupture and restitution, and on the profound emotions evoked by beauty when it is laced with the pain of historical loss. This timely and highly original reflection on beauty, provenance, power, and loss will be essential reading for all those concerned with the preservation and restitution of cultural objects and it will appeal to anyone interested in art, culture, and politics today.

Since its discovery in 1968, the painting of a diver on a tomb in Paestum, originally the Greek colony of Poseidonia in southern Italy, has left viewers spellbound. It depicts a beautiful and enigmatic scene: a young man dives headfirst into the water from a cliff or tower. The image is joined by others from the same tomb depicting a banquet of young people drinking wine, playing games and enjoying music. Understanding this painting is often seen as a key to unlocking some of the mysteries of ancient Greek culture – and therein lies the puzzle. What is the meaning of the diver? Is it, as many have argued, a metaphorical representation of the passage from life to a world beyond? The eminent art historian Tonio Hölscher rejects this view, arguing that there is nothing symbolic or metaphorical about the painting: the scenes celebrate the real lives of the Greek colonists of the early 5th century BC. The painting captures a young man’s spirited personality and pursuits during a life which may have been short, but was lived to the full. In a groundbreaking reversal of how the painting is typically interpreted, this book opens a window onto the world of Ancient Greece and its culture of athleticism, eroticism, love for nature and enjoyment of the sea. A joyful ode to youth, it is above all a unique portrait of the zest for life in Antiquity.

Few countries are more haunted by the darker aspects of their history than Germany. Nazi crimes continue to cast a long shadow at home and abroad. Germans have nevertheless managed to put their violent, genocidal past behind them, creating a peaceful and prosperous democracy at the heart of Europe. In this refreshing book, Andrew I. Port tells the story of that extraordinary transformation. Tracing the histories of the Eastern and Western halves of postwar Germany in tandem, he highlights their obvious differences and unexpected commonalities. This novel approach explains not only the country’s many accomplishments since the fall of the Berlin Wall, but also the challenges it has faced – from the difficulty of unifying two distinct societies to violent forms of xenophobia and the rise of extremist parties. Whether the Federal Republic remains a stable and successful power is the new "German Question" of the twenty-first century.

What truths and life lessons can we take away from a seemingly trivial theme park in Orlando, Florida? Father and philosopher Adam Kadlac reflects on his own visits to Walt Disney World, arguing that Disney theme parks are a remarkably fruitful environment in which to reflect on the human condition. On the one hand, engagement with the worlds of Disney is a pervasive feature of many people's everyday experience. On the other hand, the fantastical nature of Disney theme parks casts light on aspects of our lives that may otherwise seem unremarkable. If, on a day out at the Magic Kingdom, we pause to absorb our surroundings, our thoughts can quickly turn to all sorts of important topics and questions: authenticity and pleasure; what it means for corporations to play such a large role in our culture; whether nostalgia is always bad; and, of course, princesses (so, so many princesses. The Magic Kingdom and the Meaning of Life will challenge Disney lovers and sceptics alike to think more deeply about the things that matter to them.

In the West today, suffering has become a new sacred cow.  Once a common feature of the human condition, it is now a special trait you can use to impress your contemporaries.  It provides you with a borrowed identity, transforming you into an exceptional being who can show off on the public stage at little cost. Everyone flaunts their certificate of affliction, positioning themselves above their peers. Even those who are well-off and powerful seek to find a place in the aristocracy of the margins, creating new castes of the dispossessed at the expense of the truly unfortunate. Infused with bitterness, this cult of the victim glorifies the martyr figure and feeds into the passions of revenge and resentment.  This is the message of our age: we are all victims and entitled to feel sorry for ourselves. The submissive humanity of Christianity and the arrogant humanity of modernity have now been replaced by a victimized humanity allergic to distress.  Pampered, coddled, raised in fear and sensitivity, how will younger generations be able to confront the chaotic world that awaits them, marked by war, violence, terrorism and climate chaos?  Who will teach them the courage to endure, to face setbacks head-on, without faltering in the face of misfortune?

Inspiration propels us. It’s the basis of every accomplishment. But the idea that it simply falls into your lap is a myth. Inspiration doesn’t come to us in a gust of wind, only to disappear into the mist again. You make it happen; it’s a reward for work that you’ve already done. The combination of perspiration and inspiration takes you to where you want to go. In this ode to what is perhaps the brain’s greatest achievement, Ap Dijksterhuis explains, with a storyteller’s verve, what inspiration is, why we have it, how it works and how to get it. Drawing upon on the most up-to-date research in neuroscience and psychology, he shows how inspiration stands in relation to creativity, motivation, curiosity and the overall functioning of the brain. Ultimately, inspiration is not a privilege granted to a talented few: everyone who chooses inspiration will benefit from it. Including you.

The earth is not a dead, mute landscape but an eloquent, living being. Sometimes it just takes a spade, a packet of seeds, and a pair of sturdy boots to realize it. The philosopher Byung-Chul Han spent three springs, summers, autumns, and winters in his secret garden in Berlin, devoting himself to daily gardening in all weathers. For Han, gardening is a form of silent meditation, a lingering in stillness. It gives you a different sense of time. Every plant has its own time that is specific to it, and the garden is a space in which these multiple temporalities overlap and cut across one another. The longer he worked in the garden, the more respect he developed for the earth and for its enchanting beauty. Gardening taught him what care for others means. Each organism has its own consciousness of time passing; each organism lives in its own micro-universe. Step by step, Han receded from himself and the world, moving closer and closer to an exuberant, divine nature which we are increasingly in danger of losing. Through this rich meditation on plants, soil, gardening, and time, Han unfolds a way of relating to and tending the earth that is in sharp contrast to the brutal, incessant exploitation of our planet that we see all around us today.

?There was a time when I felt that I had grasped Lacan?s essential being from within ? that I had gained, as it were, an apperception of his relation to the world, a mysterious access to that intimate place from which sprang his relation to people and things, and even to himself. It was as if I had slipped within him.? In this short book, Catherine Millot offers a richly evocative reflection on her life as analysand and lover of the greatest psychoanalyst since Freud. Dwelling on their time together in Paris and in Lacan?s country house in Guitrancourt, as well as describing their many travels, Millot provides unparalleled insights into Lacan?s character as well as his encounters with other major European thinkers of the time. She also sheds new light on key themes, including Lacan?s obsession with the Borromean knot and gradual descent into silence, all enlivened by her unique perspective. This beautifully written memoir, awarded the André Gide Prize for Literature, will be of interest to anyone wishing to understand the life and character of a thinker who continues to exert a wide influence in psychoanalysis and across the humanities and social sciences.