Reading for Battle

Battle Readings is a regularly updated compilation of articles, essays, and opinion pieces relevant to the themes of the Battle of Ideas.

Choose a theme from the listing on the left to narrow your search, or view all readings.

Science & Environment

The DNA Mystique: The Gene as a Cultural Icon
In highlighting DNA as it appears in soap operas, comic books, advertising, and other expressions of mass culture, the authors propose that these domains provide critical insights into science itself.

Dorothy Nelkin & M. Susan Lindee, University of Michigan Press, 19 July 2004

A waste of time
Rob Lyons, spiked, 1 April 2004

The Essential Difference
We all appreciate that there are differences in the typical psychology of men and women. Yet underlying these subtle differences, Simon Baron-Cohen believes, there is one essential difference, and it affects everything we do: Men have a tendency to analyze and construct systems while women are inclined to empathize.

Simon Baron Cohen, Penguin, 4 March 2004

Autism: Mind and Brain
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that allows a unique window on the relationship between mind and brain. The study of autism provides insight into the brain basis of the complex social interactions typical of human beings, since a profound impairment in social interactions is the hallmark of autistic disorders.

Uta Frith & Elisabeth Hill (eds.), Oxford University Press, 15 January 2004

A probe inside the mind of the shopper
Until recently MRI had been used only in clinics, now labaratory insights are being matched to the needs of marketing managers
Jerome Burne, Financial Times, 26 November 2003

Fighting for Thirlmere--The Roots of Environmentalism
A history of the first reaction against modern dams in the UK (and the world).
Harriet Ritvo, Science, 6 June 2003

The Blank Slate: The Modern Denial of Human Nature
"Reading Pinker is one of the biggest favours I've ever done my brain" Richard Dawkins.

Steven Pinker, Penguin Books Ltd, 5 June 2003

Environmental Imperialism: Theories of Governance and Resistance
The global environmental agenda, alongside the broad neoliberal agenda, may be viewed by developing states and societies as a neo-imperialist adventure to be resisted.
Hugh Dyer, University of Leeds, 4 March 2003

Spaceflight Revolution
A revolution in spaceflight is likely soon, with the prospect of everyday access to orbit. Costly ballistic missiles used to launch vehicles will be replaced by "spaceplanes", using technology that already exists.

David Ashford, Imperial College Press, 5 February 2003

The Schmeiser story
How a Canadian farmer lost his battle with Monsanto - but achieved star status among European environmentalists.
Thomas Deichmann, spiked, 10 October 2002


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