I'm a fan of DK's "Big Ideas Simply Explained series." I have the Psychology Book and the Philosophy Book. Both books go through the history of the subjects, with lots of well-designed infographics. They are written in clear, easy-to-comprehend language and assume no prior knowledge on the part of the reader. I have the hardbound editions, which cost about $(removed)-$(removed) and are attractive, but if you're looking for a bargain, the e-books are just $(removed) each. Right now, they are running a special on The Sociology Book e-book for just $(removed) I bought it, and if I like is as much as I liked the other two "Big Ideas Simply Explained" books I have, I'll spring for the dead tree version.
The Sociology Book just $(removed) as Kindle e-book

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People in Ireland are asked "What is pornography?" in 1972
In this short series of interviews from 1972, people on the street in Ireland are stopped and asked, "What Is Pornography?" My favorite part in the video is when a young man gets flustered by the question and says, "I couldn't tell ya," as he cracks a shy smile. An elderly woman standing next to… READ THE REST
Why our brains still struggle with tensions between work, leisure, and the concept of time
Writer Derek Thompson recently reviewed the new James Suzman book Work: A Deep History, From the Stone Age to the Age of Robots for the The Atlantic. I haven't read the book in question, but the review stuck out to me for a few reasons, as Thompson discusses the inherent tensions between leisure time and… READ THE REST
An incredible example of societal collapse
[UPDATE: Read Lizard of Oz's comment about Colin Turnbull's disputed book, The Mountain People] Doug Belshaw recently read the book The Collapse of Complex Societies by Joseph A. Tainter, and shared an interesting excerpt. He writes on his website Open Tinkering: In the first chapter of the book, Tainter gives numerous examples of societal collapse, which… READ THE REST
Enjoy a pet without the mess with this robotic canine!
The world is full of reasons to love dogs. How could you not? They are cute, kind, thoughtful, and always trying to make friends. The world is also full of reasons to love technology. But is there a way to bring these two together? Is the world ready for robotic dogs? The answer is yes! Petoi just… READ THE REST
This Unlimited Lifetime Learning Subscription Bundle with Rosetta Stone is the perfect way to learn a new skill
If there was ever a time to refresh what's going on in that noggin, it's now that you're finally digging into new technology instead of the old hat ways you're used to. You've finally got a good hold on life, and now it's time to elevate your value. This Unlimited Lifetime Learning Subscription Bundle is perfect for… READ THE REST
Get a taste of van life with this unique living space for your car
Everyone's been seduced by the idea of camping at one point or another, right? Spotting the stars at night, falling asleep to the sounds of the woods, waking up to a sunrise … There's just something magical about sleeping in the great outdoors. But, of course, reality is often disappointing. Tents, in particular, can be tiny… READ THE REST