Article Club

Article Club is like a book club, but easier. The Club meets every month on Zoom to discuss an article spanning hot issues of the day. Hosted by Mandy Hoskinson, topics include technology, art, cultural exchange, food and more.

Communications for Article Club are primarily via email + calendar invite. You can subscribe below or here. You can read past emails/articles here. (Note: my old email provider, TinyLetter, is shutting down. I’m shifting to Substack…slowly. Reach out to me on Instagram if you need assistance.

The Approach

Article Club offers a unique opportunity for us to engage in deep reflection on the various facets of society. By delving into a wide range of topics, from the light-hearted to the profoundly serious, the club creates a space for open, thoughtful dialogue. This approach encourages members to explore and understand diverse perspectives, fostering a deeper awareness of the world around us.

The club's methodology is simple yet effective. Each month, a new topic is introduced, accompanied by carefully selected readings that offer insights into the chosen subject. These readings serve as the starting point for discussions, which are held in an inclusive, respectful atmosphere. This format not only enhances our knowledge on specific topics but also sharpens our critical thinking and analytical skills.

Moreover, Article Club's approach goes beyond mere discussion. It's about building a community where people feel comfortable sharing their views, challenging each other's opinions, and growing together. This environment of mutual respect and curiosity is what makes the club a vibrant and dynamic platform for learning and engagement.

By tackling a diverse array of subjects — ranging from cultural phenomena and technological advancements to environmental concerns and historical events — Article Club helps us navigate the complexities of modern society. It invites us to question, to ponder, and to broaden our understanding, making us more informed and empathetic citizens of the world.

Sample Topics

A taste of our topics:

• Cultural Appropriation

• Astrology + Manifesting

• Environmentalism / Antinatalism

• Love and Relationships (Cuffing Season)

• Goal Setting and Personal Development

• Detransitioning

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Art Ownership

• Environmental Impact of Burning Man Festival

• Pride Month - Union Allegations and Pride Decorations

• AI in Medicine - Improving Doctor-Patient Communication

• Historical Analysis - Oppenheimer and the Manhattan Project

• Yoga and Colonialism - Cultural Appropriation in America

Past Clubs

1. November 17, 2021

   • Topic: How NFTs Create Value

   • Article: How NFTs Create Value - Harvard Business Review

2. December 15, 2021

   • Topic: Abolish restaurants: A worker's critique of the food service industry

   • Article: Abolish restaurants - Libcom.org

3. January 19, 2022

   • Topic: The open secret to looking like a superhero: How performance-enhancing drugs helped create the new male body standard

   • Article: The open secret to looking like a superhero - Vox

4. February 16, 2022

   • Topic: Why We Set Unattainable Goals

   • Article: Why We Set Unattainable Goals - Harvard Business Review

5. March 16, 2022

   • Topic: Birds Aren't Real Documentary Co-Watching + Discussing

   • Article: Birds Aren’t Real Documentary - YouTube

6. April 20, 2022

   • Topic: This Heroin-Using Professor Wants to Change How We Think About Drugs

   • Article: This Heroin-Using Professor Wants to Change How We Think About Drugs - New York Times

7. May 18, 2022

   • Topic: If Everything Is ‘Trauma,’ Is Anything?

   • Article: If Everything Is ‘Trauma,’ Is Anything? - New York Times

8. June 18, 2022

   • Topic: Don’t Cancel John Muir (But Don’t Excuse Him Either)

   • Article: Don’t Cancel John Muir - The Atlantic

9. July 13, 2022

   • Topic: How Cancel Culture Became Politicized — Just Like Political Correctness

   • Article: How Cancel Culture Became Politicized - NPR

10. August 17, 2022

    • Topic: Astrology + Manifesting

    • Article: Shut up, I’m manifesting! - Vox

11. September 22, 2022

    • Topic: Environmentalism / Antinatalism

    • Article: Is Extinction Bad? - IAI TV

12. October 15, 2022

    • Topic: Three Cheers for Cultural Appropriation

    • Article: Three Cheers for Cultural Appropriation - Google Drive

13. December 22, 2022

    • Topic: Hackers Watch Party

    • Article: N/A

14. January 12, 2023

    • Topic: Goal Setting

    • Article: N/A

15. February 2023

    • Topic: Detransitioning

    • Article: Detransitioning - Google Drive

16. April 2023

    • Topic: AI and Art Ownership

    • Article: What Is AI Doing to Art - Noema

17. May 2023

    • Topic: Burning Man and Environmental Impact

    • Article: Can Burning Man Pull Out of Its Climate Death Spiral - Wired

18. June 2023

    • Topic: Pride Month - Starbucks Denies Union Allegations of a Ban on Pride Decorations

    • Article: Starbucks Pride Decorations - The New Republic

19. July 2023

    • Topic: AI and Medicine

    • Article: When Doctors Use a Chatbot to Improve Their Bedside Manner - Google Drive

20. August 2023

    • Topic: Oppenheimer and the Manhattan Project

    • Article: Oppenheimer and the Manhattan Project - Slate

21. September 2023

    • Topic: Yoga and Colonialism

    • Article: Yoga in America Often Exploits My Culture - Self

22. November 2023

    • Event: Short Documentary Viewing (No reading)

    • Article: Not applicable

23. December 2023

    • Event: Documentary Viewing - "Feels Good Man"

    • Article: Not applicable