Weekly Top Five Articles
Praising Awkwardness, the history of money, Tolkien debates, fathers and smell, and Fantasy Football's mental health impact
Here’s what stood out this week. . .
(1) Make it awkward!: Rather than being a cringey personal failing, awkwardness is a collective rupture – and a chance to rewrite the social script, by Alexandra Plakias, Aeon Magazine (September 6, 2024)
Plakias writes in praise of so-called “awkwardness.” The article, however, seems to downplay the reality of norms and I’m not sure that’s a good thing.
Plakias explores the complexity of awkwardness, showing how it shapes social interactions in ways that go beyond mere discomfort or humor. While awkwardness is often portrayed as a quirky or funny moment in popular culture, Plakias argues that it serves as a powerful inhibitor, stopping us from addressing important issues like sexism, grief, or social inequities. The desire to avoid awkward situations can prevent people from speaking up, reinforcing problematic social norms and silencing conversations that could drive change.
Plakias makes an important distinction between awkwardness and embarrassment. While embarrassment results from breaking an established social norm, awkwardness occurs when social scripts are absent or unclear, leaving people uncertain about how to act. She asserts that awkwardness is not an individual failure but a collective one, born from the lack of agreed-upon social guidelines. This shift in perspective—seeing awkward moments as failures of collective understanding rather than personal shortcomings—offers an opportunity for growth. By examining awkwardness more closely, we can uncover social blind spots and work toward developing better, more inclusive social norms.
One of the most compelling arguments Plakias makes is that awkwardness highlights unequal access to social resources and norms. Not everyone navigates the same social terrain with equal ease. For some, especially those who are neurodivergent or marginalized, awkwardness serves as a reminder of how rigid and inaccessible social scripts can be. The author suggests that instead of viewing awkward moments as something to suppress or avoid, we should recognize them as indicators of where social norms fall short, particularly for those on the margins.
Plakias also critiques how awkwardness can be weaponized, often used to ostracize those who challenge the status quo. Ultimately, Plakias argues that awkwardness provides a unique opportunity for social change. Instead of conforming to faulty or outdated norms to avoid feeling awkward, we should embrace the discomfort and use it as a signal to re-evaluate and reconstruct our social frameworks. Awkwardness, in this sense, becomes not just a personal feeling to overcome but a call to action, urging us to create more equitable and understanding social spaces.
Some things should be awkward, right?
(2) Money by David McWilliams review – the story of cold hard cash, by Larry Elliot, The Guardian (September 25, 2024)
This book should be widely read!
In his review of Money: A Story of Humanity by David McWilliams, Larry Elliott highlights McWilliams’ ambitious attempt to trace the history of money from 18,000 BC to the present. McWilliams argues that money is central to human history, even claiming that the invention of writing was driven by the need to record financial transactions. While this bold claim may not entirely convince, McWilliams brings a dry topic to life with vivid anecdotes, from King Midas and Darwin’s theory of evolution to Dutch tulip mania and Hitler’s plot to destroy the British economy with counterfeit currency.
Elliott appreciates McWilliams’ lively writing style, noting that his storytelling keeps the narrative engaging, though some historical references feel tangential. For example, a long passage about Sir Roger Casement’s execution during World War I and Joyce’s role in establishing Dublin’s first cinema seem out of place in a book about money.
Despite some digressions and dense sections on modern banking that may challenge lay readers, the book’s strengths outweigh its flaws. McWilliams makes a compelling case for how money has shaped civilization, weaving historical insights and modern financial crises into an enjoyable read. While the book may stretch its central argument at times, McWilliams' enthusiasm for the subject is evident, making this a notable contribution to the literature on economics.
(3) "Tolkien Criticism Today, Revisited," by Dennis Wilson Wise, LA Review of Books, September 25, 2024
I had no idea Tolkien studies was a thing until today. . .
Wise reviews two recent books—The Literary Role of History in the Fiction of J.R.R. Tolkien by Nicholas Birns and Representing Middle-earth: Tolkien, Form, and Ideology by Robert T. Tally Jr.—and reflects on the current state of Tolkien studies. Wise highlights the ongoing challenges the field faces in engaging with broader literary criticism, noting that Tolkien scholarship often remains insular and overly focused on the author himself, rather than participating in larger academic debates.
Birns’s book takes a historical approach to Tolkien’s work, drawing parallels between Middle-earth’s history and real-world historical events. While Birns offers some interesting insights, Wise notes that his historical comparisons can feel strained, such as linking the division of Tolkien’s fictional kingdom of Arnor to Charlemagne’s empire. Nevertheless, Birns explores fascinating topics like philology and cultural pluralism in the context of Tolkien’s world, making it a valuable contribution, despite its occasional overreaches.
In contrast, Tally’s Representing Middle-earth approaches Tolkien from a Marxist literary perspective, exploring how The Lord of the Rings helps readers think historically by linking individual characters to larger social and historical systems. Tally argues that Tolkien’s work can be interpreted through Marxist criticism, but Wise critiques Tally’s reluctance to engage deeply with critical tensions, especially regarding religion and medievalism.
Overall, Wise appreciates both books for their attempts to bridge Tolkien studies with broader literary criticism. However, he also acknowledges that the field remains somewhat isolated and needs to engage more with external scholarly debates to gain wider recognition. While Tolkien criticism is improving, Wise concludes, it still has a way to go in becoming more integrated with the wider literary discipline.
(4) Fathers can recognize their own child based on body odor, study finds by Vladimir Hedrih, PsyPost, September 26, 2024
This makes senses. . .
A recent study published in Physiology & Behavior reveals that fathers can recognize and prefer the body odor of their own children, but this preference decreases as their children enter puberty—particularly in daughters. The research, led by Laura Schaefer, examined 56 fathers and 73 children, ranging from infancy to 18 years old. Fathers could identify their child's body odor with better accuracy than chance, but struggled during their child's puberty. The study suggests this decrease in preference for daughters’ body odor might be a biological mechanism to prevent incest, as odor perception changes with puberty.
Fathers rated the smell of prepubescent children, especially daughters, as more pleasant than that of older children. The study highlights the role body odor plays in maintaining father-child bonds, while also reflecting changes during adolescence. However, the study’s small sample size leaves room for further research on how body odor impacts these relationships.
This study adds to a growing body of research on how body odor influences human connections, especially within families, offering new insights into the evolving nature of parental bonds through the senses.
(5) “Fantasy Football’s surprising relationship with mental health,” by Eric W. Dolan, PsyPost (September 25, 2024)
People get tenure for conducting studies like this. It’s wild!
A recent study published in Simulation & Gaming explores the complex relationship between Fantasy Football and mental health, revealing both positive and negative impacts. Researchers found that higher levels of engagement—such as frequent team comparisons, player research, and emotional investment—were linked to increased anxiety, stress, and negative moods. However, these same behaviors were also associated with moments of excitement and joy when players' teams performed well.
Led by Gary Ian Britton, the study involved 635 participants, mostly male, and examined how Fantasy Football behaviors like time spent on the game and financial investment influenced mental health. The findings indicated that highly invested players experienced both emotional highs and lows, with poor team performance causing negative mood swings but successful outcomes leading to positive emotional experiences.
Interestingly, even experienced Fantasy Football players, who might be expected to cope better, still experienced significant negative mood changes when their teams performed poorly. The study suggests that Fantasy Football can have both rewarding and challenging effects on mental health, particularly for those heavily involved.
While the study highlights the emotional rollercoaster of Fantasy Football, it also acknowledges limitations, including the difficulty of establishing whether Fantasy Football engagement causes mental health issues or if players with pre-existing mental health concerns are more likely to become deeply engaged in the game. Future research could explore these dynamics further by tracking players' mental health across an entire season.
Overall, the research doesn't discourage Fantasy Football participation but raises awareness about its potential emotional effects, especially for those who invest significant time or money into the game.
Podcast
On today's episode of “The Anthony Bradley Show,” I have a truly remarkable guest, Vansh Malik, president of the Sigma Chi fraternity at Santa Clara University. Vansh is not just an outstanding leader; he embodies the core values of Sigma Chi—friendship, justice, and learning—in a way that is inspiring and deeply moving. Hailing from London, Vansh has excelled in his studies while making his mark on campus through his leadership in Greek life, club soccer, and community service. But what truly sets Vansh apart is his wisdom and vulnerability, qualities not often found in young men, especially in positions of leadership. In this interview, Vansh shares the depth of brotherhood that comes from a fraternity centered on genuine care and mutual respect, and he speaks powerfully about how these values have shaped him personally and as a leader.
Thanks to my subscribers for making this podcast possible!
Vansh is not particularly religious himself but I was blown away by this ability to talk about these issues. I can honestly say that I don’t many 20-year-old Christian guys who could have pulled this off.