Weekly Top Five Articles
How Refrigeration Changed The World, Motivating Teenage Boys, Childhood Trauma and Future Stress Management, and more. . .
Here’s what stood out this week. . .
(1) "Artificial Cryosphere," by Bee Wilson, London Review of Books (February 20, 2025)
In her review of Frostbite: How Refrigeration Changed Our Food, Our Planet, and Ourselves, Bee Wilson unpacks Nicola Twilley’s deep dive into the hidden infrastructure that keeps modern food fresh, revealing a world where refrigeration doesn’t just preserve food—it reshapes entire economies, cultures, and even our diets. Twilley’s book illustrates how refrigeration has fundamentally altered the way we consume food, from the cold storage warehouses that house everything from frozen shrimp to peanut butter paste to the way the modern supermarket prioritizes produce that looks fresh rather than tastes fresh. The rise of the “artificial cryosphere,” as Twilley calls it, has made fresh produce and meats widely available, but not without unintended consequences: mass refrigeration has led to food engineered for transport rather than taste, a dramatic increase in food waste, and a disconnection from the realities of food production.
Yet Wilson’s review highlights a crucial economic truth often overlooked in discussions about food systems—refrigeration is a triumph of free markets, not socialism or central planning. The global cold chain, which stretches from Argentine beef to New Zealand lamb to refrigerated cargo ships carrying bananas from Central America, exists because of private enterprise, competition, and voluntary exchange. In contrast, where state-controlled economies have attempted to dictate food distribution, refrigeration infrastructure has either stagnated or collapsed, leading to food shortages and waste. Twilley herself notes that in Rwanda, where refrigeration is limited, nearly half of all fresh produce spoils before it ever reaches consumers. In emerging economies, refrigeration is often seen as a sign of development, with wealthier households filling their fridges not just with essentials but with status-signaling foods like probiotic yogurts and organic vegetables. Meanwhile, in the U.S., ever-expanding refrigeration capacity has led to an overabundance of food, contributing to both excess consumption and staggering levels of household food waste.
Twilley’s exploration also reveals the overlooked human labor that keeps the refrigerated economy running. In vast frozen warehouses, workers operate in sub-zero temperatures, their bodies preserved like the food they store, even as they suffer from "freezer flu" and slowed reaction times due to extreme cold. These logistical hubs—largely unseen by consumers—are the missing middle of the food supply chain, connecting farm to table in ways rarely considered.
Ultimately, Wilson’s review of Frostbite underscores how refrigeration has shaped the modern world not merely as a tool of preservation but as an economic force that has reshaped global trade, consumer habits, and even the genetic engineering of food. And yet, as Twilley argues, refrigeration is not just a marvel—it comes with trade-offs. It has created new forms of dependence, increased energy consumption, and dulled the flavor of food. But what Wilson’s review makes clear is that none of this would have been possible without the forces of the free market. Refrigeration is not just a technological advancement—it is a byproduct of economic freedom, ingenuity, and the pursuit of efficiency that Marxist and socialist economies have never been able to replicate.
(2) "Reader, I Divorced Him," by Hermione Hoby, Bookforum (February/March 2024)
Women are now celebrating divorce as liberation and marriage as restrictive. The amount of garbage out there is unreal.
In recent years, a wave of contemporary divorce narratives has emerged, largely written by white, middle-class women in their 30s and 40s. These books, blending memoir and cultural criticism, often frame divorce as a moment of emancipation, exemplified by the now-iconic image of Nicole Kidman leaving her attorney’s office in apparent triumph. Hermione Hoby, in her review of No Fault by Haley Mlotek, explores this trend, noting that while divorce is now more accessible and less stigmatized, it continues to hold literary weight.
Mlotek’s book, mixing history, pop culture, and personal reflection, avoids simplistic narratives of victimhood or liberation. Instead, it presents divorce as an ongoing question rather than a resolved conclusion. Unlike previous feminist critiques, which saw marriage as a site of female oppression, today’s divorce memoirs struggle to define its political stakes. Some, like Lyz Lenz’s This American Ex-Wife, paint marriage as inherently restrictive, while others, like Sarah Manguso’s Liars, universalize the misery of wedlock.
Hoby suggests that these narratives, steeped in ’70s-era feminism, may be out of step with contemporary realities. Women today are not trapped by marriage in the same ways, yet many divorce memoirs continue to lean on outdated paradigms. She contrasts this with Leslie Jamison’s Splinters, where the most striking moment isn’t about liberation but about accountability—recognizing the impact of one’s choices. Rather than celebrating divorce as an escape, Hoby questions whether true growth comes from deeper engagement with relationships, responsibility, and community.
(3) "Brief Intervention Boosts Grit in Teenage Boys, Study Finds," by Eric Dolan, PsyPost (February 20, 2025)
A new study from Norway suggests that a brief educational intervention can help teenage boys develop grit—a crucial trait for success and perseverance. The study, published in Frontiers in Education, found that a short program designed to strengthen students’ belief in their abilities led to a measurable increase in grit among boys. Researchers designed the "I CAN" intervention to encourage self-belief and perseverance through lessons on brain plasticity, deliberate practice, and personal growth. While overall results were modest, the impact on boys was statistically significant, suggesting that targeted encouragement can be particularly effective in helping them develop resilience.
This study has important implications for fathers and church communities. Boys often face challenges in motivation and perseverance, especially in academic settings where they may struggle more than their female peers. Fathers play a vital role in reinforcing a growth mindset in their sons—modeling perseverance, encouraging effort, and guiding them through challenges. Churches, too, should recognize the need for structured mentorship programs that help boys cultivate resilience. Faith communities can create spaces where young men receive encouragement, accountability, and practical tools to develop grit—whether through sports, service projects, or leadership training. Given that male students responded particularly well to examples from sports and perseverance stories, churches might consider incorporating similar narratives into youth programs. This study reinforces the importance of teaching boys that effort and persistence, rather than innate ability, determine success—an essential lesson for preparing them for adulthood.
(4) "Loneliness and Social Isolation Linked to Disease via Specific Proteins, Research Finds," by Barbara Jacquelyn Sahakian, Christelle Langley, Chun Shen, and Jianfeng Feng. PsyPost (February 20, 2025)
In an increasingly digital world, loneliness and social isolation have become widespread issues, affecting both mental and physical health. A new study published in Nature Human Behaviour by researchers from the University of Cambridge and Fudan University has uncovered the biological mechanisms that link loneliness to disease. Using data from 42,062 participants in the UK Biobank, the study found that loneliness and social isolation are associated with increased levels of specific proteins in the brain—GFRA1, ADM, FABP4, TNFRSF10A, and ASGR1. These proteins play a role in inflammation, immune response, and antiviral defense, potentially increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and even death. The study tracked participants over 14 years and revealed that those experiencing loneliness had significantly higher protein levels linked to chronic illness. The findings suggest that meaningful social connections could reduce the harmful biological effects of isolation, reinforcing the importance of face-to-face interactions over superficial digital connections. As loneliness continues to rise across all age groups, prioritizing deep and authentic social bonds—whether through volunteering, team sports, or community engagement—could be a key factor in maintaining overall health and longevity.
(5) “Childhood trauma survivors show blunted cardiovascular responses to social stress,” by Vladimir Hedrih, PsyPost (February 19, 2025)
A new study published in Psychophysiology reveals that childhood trauma can alter the body’s physiological response to stress, potentially increasing social anxiety in adolescence. Researchers from China studied 172 middle school students and found that those who had experienced significant childhood trauma exhibited blunted cardiovascular responses—meaning smaller changes in heart rate and blood pressure—when exposed to a socially stressful situation, such as giving an impromptu speech. This diminished stress response was linked to higher levels of social anxiety, suggesting that trauma survivors may struggle to physiologically regulate stress in social interactions. The study supports the idea that childhood trauma not only affects emotional well-being but also has measurable effects on the body’s ability to handle stress. While cardiovascular response is not the only factor linking trauma to social anxiety, the findings highlight the need for targeted interventions that help trauma-exposed adolescents improve their stress regulation. Addressing these physiological impacts could be key to reducing social anxiety and improving long-term mental health outcomes.