THE BOOK CLUB.
UPDATED 19 AUG 2024.
CREATIVE COMMONS CC BY ELECTRO STRATEGY STUDIO. READ BY ADRIAN JARVIS.
INTERESTING AND RELEVANT READS.
Presented here is a collection of books that have informed my thinking and, with retrospective analysis, go beyond being just a classic into becoming guidebooks for our future.
Every author has an important perspective that adds to a narrative about modern culture, community and where we are heading.
These books highlight the importance of responsible innovation, ethics in technology and adaptability in a fast-changing world. Learning historical lessons that inform our current challenges, and advocate for strategies that benefit more sections of society.
Most posts get a viewing on LinkedIn before being archived here. There are no affiliate links.
The Society of the spectacle (1967)
by Guy Debord
Originally written in French and extensively translated, 'The Society of the Spectacle' is a critical examination of modern capitalism and mass communication. It remains a keystone of Situationist theory, and builds on a number of themes from Marxism around commodification, alienation and the role of capital in culture.
The central contention is that the 'spectacle' — a media-driven representation of reality — has turned people from active participants in life into mere passive viewers. An argument that has become more relevant over the last 60 years, in the digital age dominated by social media and artificial intelligence. It remains one of the most important works of modern times.
Today’s society is dominated by what the economy has produced. This had led to a significant change – it is no longer just about owning things, but about how things look. Now, owning something is valued mainly for its image and the status it brings.
As technology advances, Debord’s work helps to decode the impact of media on human behaviour — prompting us to engage more actively with life and critically with media. Emphasising the need for individual agency and awareness of the impact of our increasingly digitised interactions.
COMMODITISATION OF SOCIETY: Genuine social relationships are transformed into a representation of real life, mediated by images — most noticeably reflected by feeds in modern social media.
ILLUSION OF CHOICE: A misleading perception of choice, obscured by the control exerted by media and now technology entities — mirroring how algorithms manipulate attitudes and preferences.
PASSIVE CONSUMPTION: A critique of the role of media content — a trend that has accelerated through platforms that keep users engaged through content whose key role is distraction.
DETACHMENT FROM REALITY: The substitution of real interactions with superficial, media-mediated experiences — evident in the modern preference for digital over face-to-face interaction.
THE SPECTACLE AS REALITY: Perceiving 'The Spectacle' as an objective reality that makes it difficult for people to effectively challenge and question — where media and the narrative that is being consumed is regarded as impartial, despite being inherently biased.
Situationists believe in the importance of direct action and ‘lived experience’ as a means of challenging the spectacle, and reclaiming one's agency. This might involve spontaneous happenings and interventions in public spaces, staging events, protests, or even cultural sabotage – any action that disrupts the smooth functioning of the spectacle.
A MODERN INTERPRETATION.
Here is a personal project to reinterpret an English translation of the text with the help of artificial intelligence. Manual redrafting is an ongoing exercise. While the aim is simply to improve my own understanding, I hope it maybe useful to others.
‘A Cyborg Manifesto’ has become a key text in feminist theory, especially as to how it relates to science and technology. While not the first, it has become central to thinking about posthumanism and the advancing role of technology in transforming culture.
Haraway challenges traditional boundaries by proposing ‘the cyborg’ as a hybrid that transcends human and machine, nature and culture, and physical and non-physical:
UNIFYING FEMINISM, SOCIALISM, AND MATERIALISM: Using these 3 dimensions to challenge traditional views. Engaging with paradoxes and opposing ideas without needing to resolve them. To foster a thoughtful appreciation of society and community.
CYBORGS AS SYMBOLS OF IDENTITY: The cyborg, a fusion of machine and living organism, symbolizes potential. It represents a new frontier in understanding empowerment, experience, and identity in our technologically intertwined world.
TECHNOLOGY IN EVERYDAY LIFE: Medical, military, and domestic technologies challenge traditional boundaries between the natural and the artificial. They prompt us to rethink society, politics, and science.
EMBRACING COMPLEXITY: The cyborg invites us to look forward to a future where diversity and difference are celebrated. It encourages engagement with technology as an integral part of our social and biological fabric.
NEW POLITICAL APPROACHES: This transformation requires new thinking and practice. We must address how technologies reshape human relationships and societal structures for a more equitable and inclusive future.
A MODERN INTERPRETATION.
Also, here is the second part of a personal project to reinterpret text for modern readers, with the help of artificial intelligence and manual redrafting.
THE RESPONSIBLE OBJECT: A History of Design Ideology for the Future (2016)
by Marjanne Van Helvert
‘The Responsible Object’ explores into how design philosophies have changed over time to meet social, environmental, and economic challenges. The book mixes historical analysis with forward-thinking ideas — offering valuable insights for designers, historians, and anyone interested in sustainable design. The book takes a critical look at current design practices and offers a hopeful vision for a more responsible future.
ENGAGE WITH LOCAL COMMUNITIES: Work with local artisans and communities to create designs that are culturally relevant. This approach supports local economies, preserves cultural heritage, and promotes social sustainability — creating unique and meaningful products.
IMPLEMENT LIFECYCLE THINKING: Think about the entire lifecycle of a product, from production to disposal. Designing for sustainability at every stage. Designers should aim for durable, repairable, and recyclable products — to promote long-term sustainability.
EMBRACE MODULAR DESIGN: Design products that can be easily repaired, upgraded, or recycled. Modular design extends the product’s lifespan and reduces waste. This approach allows people to replace parts instead of discarding the entire product, supporting a circular economy.
PRIORITISE ETHICAL MATERIALS: Choose materials that are eco-friendly and ethically produced. This minimises harm and supports fair labour practices — ensuring that people and the planet benefit from design choices.
ADOPT TRANSPARENT PRACTICES: Be transparent about manufacturing and supply chains. This builds trust with consumers and ensures ethical practices are upheld. Clear communication about sourcing, conditions, and environmental impact drives informed consumer decisions.
For further reading, you might consider the iconic ‘Design for the Real World’ (1971) by Victor Papanek, which advocates for socially and ecologically responsible design, and ‘Cradle to Cradle’ (2002) co-authored by William McDonough and Michael Braungart, which as set the global standard in circular economy.
RADICLE CIVICS: Unconstituting society (2021)
by Dark Matter Labs
‘Radicle Civics’ explores the future of civic infrastructure — advocating for decentralised, inclusive, and innovative approaches to the organisation of society. The working-paper, ‘radicle’ from roots and ‘civics’ from citizens in society, reimagines traditional structures by challenging sources of power and responsibility.
The principles of active participation, shared responsibility, and redefined value offer a visionary approach to an inclusive and sustainable world. These ideas aim to provide a foundation for further exploration and development, particularly in balancing diverse interests and adopting new value systems:
BUILD NEW CIVIC SYSTEMS: Create flexible and decentralised systems that better value everyone’s contributions and encourage participation from all parts of society. Developing infrastructure that is more dynamic and decentralised, such as food forests and crowd-based legal systems.
ENCOURAGE ACTIVE PARTICIPATION: Shift from voting every few years to ongoing involvement in decision-making. Recommending citizens’ assemblies to establish continuous dialogue and conviction voting for aggregated continuous preferences.
INCLUDE EVERYONE IN DECISION-MAKING: Consider everyone, including future generations, in civic decisions. This inclusive approach encourages new relationships and frameworks, such as granting rights to non-humans and using technology to monitor their voices.
PROMOTE SHARED RESPONSIBILITY: Shift from ownership to shared responsibility, where everyone cares for each other and the environment. This principle recognises the interconnectedness of all life and emphasises mutual accountability — redefining economic success beyond GDP.
REDEFINE VALUE AND ACCOUNTING: Rethink the traditional economic model that values goods and services based on market price. Recognising social, environmental, and intrinsic values. Designing systemic value mechanisms that is founded on the interdependency of everything.
These ideas are purposefully radical and innovative to address the many entrenched shortcomings in our current systems. The paper calls for partners to develop pilot projects and case studies that put these concepts into practice. Only with tangible examples of how these principles can be implemented on a larger scale, will we be able to change the infrastructure of society.
There are a number of complimentary works in this area, such as Elinor Ostrom’s Rules for Managing Commons, Kate Raworth’s Doughnut Economics and Jon Alexander’s book Citizens.
Radicle Civics is an inspiring starting point for rethinking how we organise our societies, encouraging further exploration and innovation in civic infrastructure.
URBAN DYNAMICS (1969)
by Jay Forrester
Article at Architectural Histories
‘Urban Dynamics’ builds on earlier word by Forrester in Industrial and System Dynamics. The book explores the complexity of the built or ‘urban’ environment, with a focus on modelling the behaviour of cities. This foundational work remains essential for anyone who wants to understand and influence urban development — from planners, policymakers and think tanks to academics, architects and activists.
URBAN BEHAVIOURS ARE INTERCONNECTED: System dynamics reveals that urban problems are not isolated. Factors like population growth, housing availability, and employment rates are deeply interconnected. These relationships are key to effective urban planning.
DEVELOPMENT FOLLOWS PREDICTABLE CYCLES: Urban areas follow a cycle: rapid growth, followed by stability, and then decline. Recognising these phases helps planners anticipate challenges to intervene, finding civic opportunities and preventing widespread problems.
INTERVENTIONS HAVE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES: Interventions, such as subsidised housing and job training programmes, can have unintended effects. For example, creating low-cost housing might create hot-spots of increased unemployment, drug use and poverty.
BALANCED DEVELOPMENT FOR SUSTAINABILITY: Initiatives need to address housing, jobs, and infrastructure together. Focusing on one area and ignoring others leads to problems that prevent long-term sustainable growth and social prosperity.
DATA IMPROVES DECISION-MAKING: Using real-world data and simulated computer models to inform urban planning leads to better policies and projects. This approach reduces reliance on intuition and anecdotal evidence, leading to a more rational approach to urban management.
Forrester and all his wider work offers valuable insights into systems, though is it not without its limitations. The models can oversimplify complex issues and rely heavily on data that is either not complete or often incorrect. Policy implementation has many political and social challenges. Despite these flaws, the work remains essential to urban dynamics.
Newer approaches like big data analytics, smart-city technologies, and participatory planning have since emerged. And the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in urban planning holds the promise of more adaptive and efficient cities.
FROM calculus to chaos: an introduction to dynamics (1997)
by David Acheson
The study of dynamic systems began with Henri Poincaré in the late 19th century, laying the foundation for ‘chaos theory’. In the late 1950s, Jay W. Forrester developed ‘System Dynamics’, using feedback loops and time delays to model complex systems.
Edward N. Lorenz’s 1960s discovery of the ‘Butterfly Effect’ advanced chaos theory by highlighting the sensitivity of systems to initial conditions. In the 1970s, Donella Meadows applied system dynamics to sustainability.
Today, System Dynamics is essential for understanding complex problems and designing effective policies, thanks to advances in computational tools.
From Calculus to Chaos is one of the best introductions to understanding dynamic systems and chaos theory. While the topic is heavily based on undergraduate mathematics, the way it is explained has clear explanations that make the concepts accessible to a broad audience.
COMPLEXITY IS OFTEN HIGHLY STRUCTURED: complex behaviours in dynamic systems often reveal underlying structures and patterns that can be explained using relatively simple mathematics. This insight helps us understand that even seemingly chaotic systems have an inherent order.
SMALL CHANGES CAN HAVE BIG EFFECTS: tiny changes in the starting point of simulating a system can lead to vastly different outcomes. This principle, often called the Butterfly Effect, explains why some systems are ‘chaotic’ and unpredictable.
EVEN THE MOST CHAOTIC SYSTEMS CAN BE PREDICTABLE: despite their long-term unpredictability, even the most chaotic system can exhibit predictable behaviour over short periods. This insight shows that while ‘chaos’ has limits to predictability, we can make some reliable forecasts.
FEEDBACK LOOPS DRIVE SYSTEM BEHAVIOUR: feedback loops within dynamic systems influence their behaviour. Understanding these loops helps us see how systems regulate themselves and respond to changes — which is crucial for predicting and managing complex systems.
SYSTEM DYNAMICS EXPLAINS REAL-WORLD PHENOMENA: chaos theory and other aspects of dynamic systems demonstrate the patterns within real-world phenomena like weather and populations. Seeing how systems evolve and interact makes complex, everyday experiences more tangible.
If you would like to delve deeper into the advanced topics of System Dynamics and chaos theory, consider exploring Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos by S.H. Strogatz and Chaos Research Group at the University of Maryland. These resources offer a more detailed exploration of the mathematical foundations and applications of this increasingly important field.
Extrapolation Factory: Operator’s Manual (2016)
by E.P. Montgomery and C. Woebken
The ‘Extrapolation Factory Operator’s Manual’ explores models and methods for collaborative design, offering practical tools that make it essential for anyone interested in ‘futures’.
The 99c store serves as a source of materials and inspiration for prototyping future products and scenarios. By using inexpensive and readily available items, designers can create tangible artefacts that represent what is probable and possible.
This bilingual manual, in Mandarin Chinese and English, is an innovative resource for engaging diverse communities in designing for the future:
DEMOCRATISING FUTURES RESEARCH: the manual makes futures research accessible to everyone — encouraging diverse participation in future scenarios.
CONTEXTUALISING FUTURE SCENARIOS: placing speculative products in real-world settings builds engagement — making scenarios immediate and relatable, and provide valuable feedback.
EMPHASIS ON STORY MAKING: story making involves imagining new needs based on future conditions and creating products to fulfil those needs — helping explore complexities in a concrete way.
VISUALISATION DIVERSE TOOLS AND FRAMEWORKS: tools like the Futures Cone and Polarity Maps help classify futures and consider multiple outcomes — encouraging analysis of possibilities.
IMPORTANCE OF FABRICATION AND PROTOTYPING: creating physical prototypes transforms ideas into tangible objects — bridging the gap between theoretical speculation and practical application.
SUBCULTURE: THE MEANING OF STYLE (1979)
by Dick Hebdige
‘Subculture: The Meaning of Style’ examines how British subcultures have used style as a form of resistance and identity. Exploring the symbolic meaning behind styles, their socioeconomic roots, and the interaction with mainstream culture. Looking at how subcultures challenge and transform social norms.
RITUALS OF DEFIANCE: how subcultures use rituals to challenge mainstream norms. The punk movement's use of safety pins and torn clothing symbolically rejected the polished, mass-produced fashion of the time; expressing disapproval of materialism and conformity.
SUBCULTURAL SEMIOTICS: the role of semiotics in subcultures, where style choices like hairstyles and clothing are loaded with meanings. In punk, the use of swastika symbols was meant to shock and disrupt, rather than endorse any ideology — though that evolved.
RESPONSE TO THEIR SITUATION: British working-class youth use subculture to forge identities and a sense of community in the face of economic hardships and social marginalisation.
CULTURAL COMMODITY: commercialisation of subcultural styles leads to their absorption into mainstream culture, diluting their subversion. Fashion and media have turned these styles into marketable commodities, stripping them of their authentic meaning.
RACIAL AND ETHNIC TRAITS: reggae and Rastafarianism influenced white British punk subcultures, with cultural elements from black Caribbean culture shaping their style and music.
FLUIDITY OF BOUNDARIES: subcultural boundaries often blur as elements from different subcultures influence and merge with each other, creating a vibrant patchwork.
POWER AND ASSIMILATION: viewing subcultures as symbols of resistance to the dominant culture. However, this power is often temporary, as subcultures get assimilated into the mainstream.
‘Happiness by Design’ explores how Ray and Charles Eames influenced design and culture. Using their film and multimedia experiments to demonstrate their impact on modern living; from architecture and industrial design to the visual arts. Showing how their work played a pivotal role in defining modernism, and our post-modern era.
DESIGN AS A WAY OF ENHANCING LIFE: a belief in design as a tool for improving the quality of life, focusing on functionality, beauty, and simplicity.
DESIGN’S CONTINUED ROLE IN WELL-BEING: a reflection on the enduring relevance of their design philosophy, and the emphasis on happiness and well-being through considered design.
MEDIA AS AN EXTENSION OF DESIGN: the use of media to broaden the impact of their design principles, making complex ideas accessible to the masses and the necessary.
A VISION OF OPTIMISM AND MODERNITY: the contribution to the optimistic and inclusive vision of modern living, promoting modernity and innovation through design.
LIVES WELL CRITIQUED: addressing the limitations and critiques of their work, balancing their contributions with the less positive legacies of modernism and urban communities.
Bass, Mids, Tops: An Oral History of Sound System Culture (2019)
by Joe Muggs and Brian David Stevens
Published by Strange Attractor (sold out)
Joe Muggs explores an oral history of UK's sound system culture to capture its profound impact on society — from its role in community building and cultural identity to political activism.
Photographic portraits by Brian David Stevens provide context to the stories, and visually demonstrate a mash-up of music, culture, and history.
EVOLUTION OF SOUND SYSTEM CULTURE: starting with the Windrush generation’s arrival from the Caribbean with reggae and the evolution into dub, rave, jungle, trip hop, dubstep, and grime.
INNOVATION & DIY ETHOS: the craftsmanship of home-built speakers and the technological advancements that have propelled music and culture forwards.
COMMUNITY & IDENTITY: the critical role of sound systems in creating communal spaces for expression, identity formation, and resistance against the normalisation of mainstream culture.
CULTURE & POLITICS: sound system culture continues to serve as a platform for political expression and social change — particularly for marginalised, urban communities.
LEGACY & INFLUENCE: the lasting impact of sound system culture on global music scenes, highlighting its contribution to every modern music genre and cultural movement.
‘A Darker Electricity’ is a rallying cry for cultural freedom.
A first-hand account of 90s rave culture and Spiral Tribe – one of the leaders of a movement that challenged norms and ignited a generation.
Narrating the collective's journey, their clashes with authority, and their legacy in both music and activism. A manifesto for the power of community and the enduring spirit of resistance.
REBELLION THROUGH MUSIC: chronicling Spiral Tribe's formation and capturing the essence of cultural rebellion. Challenging societal norms and illustrating how music and collective gatherings can be a powerful form of protest and expression.
CLASH WITH CONSERVATISM: the clash between the free party movement and the Thatcher government showed the lengths that governments go to suppress freedom and autonomy.
COMMUNITY AND IDENTITY: an inclusive environment free from the constraints of consumer culture helped forge a long-lasting cultural identity outside traditional social norms.
CALL FOR ECO-ACTIVISM: building on a challenge to consumer culture, to a deeper environmental message for a better balance between humanity and the Earth.
INNOVATION IN MUSIC CULTURE: innovative music and event organization sheds light on Spiral Tribe’s role in pioneering new genres and experiences within electronic music.
RESISTANCE AND RESILIENCE: testament to the resilience of subcultures in the face of adversity. Despite legal challenges and societal opposition, Spiral Tribe inspired future generations to stand up for their beliefs and the right to express themselves freely.
Cultural change, community solidarity, environmentalism, and the resilience of subcultures in the face of adversity.
RADICAL TECHNOLOGIES: The DESIGN OF EVERYDAY LIFE (2017)
by Adam Greenfield
‘Radical Technologies’ explores the emerging technologies that are fundamentally reshaping the fabric of our society — for good and bad.
In an era defined by the rapid acceleration of technologies like Internet of Things and artificial intelligence, Greenfield asks for a heightened sense of responsibility.
He wants us to reconsider the social, political and ethical impact of radical technologies at each stage of their development, deployment, adoption and evolution.
The central question for modern enterprises is how to harness the positive potential of these technologies while safeguarding against the very real risks to society.
HUMANITY-CENTRED DESIGN: Cultivate a culture of design that centres around people’s values and expectations for the future, and the planet we live on.
ETHICS OF AUTOMATION: Reconsider key aspects from privacy and data security to inclusivity and accessibility, transparency, and accountability.
ADAPTIVE STRATEGIES: Actively prepare for the profound impact of radical technologies on society, especially living with smart machines.
By embracing these key principles, organisations can position themselves as responsible stewards of technology, while ensuring the world benefits from its advancing capabilities… not least to tackle the very real challenges of creating a Net Zero society by 2050.
‘Anti-Oculus’ is a counterpoint to our digital age — with a nostalgia for authenticity.
A call for technology that enhances, rather than replaces, real-world experiences and connections. The central critique is against our growing dependence on digital escapism and especially of the spectre of Web 3’s virtual reality (AR/VR/XR).
Promoting genuine human interaction for both personal well-being and societal cohesion. Juxtaposed against a digital world, where virtual experiences are prioritised over ‘real ones’.
While the message tends to have an overly idealistic view of the role of technology in society, there is a compelling argument for its mindful integration in our daily lives.
• AUTHENTICITY: real-world experiences and human connections in the age of digital.
• REFLECTION: a questioning attitude towards the unbridled adoption of digital tools.
• BALANCE: a harmonious blend of technology and real-life interaction.
• WELL-BEING: Promote technology that supports mental and emotional health.
MILITANT MODERNISM (2009)
by Owen Hatherley
‘Militant Modernism’ explores the modernist movement through the lens of architecture, culture, and politics. Asking for an honest critique, that steps beyond nostalgia and failed projects.
The book is a manifesto calling for a reevaluation of modernism, especially the negative impressions of brutalism, totalitarianism, sexual politics and social alienation.
A rallying cry for reinvigorating modernist principles in the service of progress — to imagine a future where design and architecture serves as a catalyst for change.
SOCIAL PROGRESS: explore how modular and functional design can address societal issues such as equality, justice, regeneration and our bigger challenges for the future.
DESIGN FOR DIVERSITY: reassess our departure from a collective vision, especially when looking at solutions to the challenges of urban planning.
PUBLIC SPACES: the design and preservation of public spaces for better community engagement and civic participation, vitally blending physical places and virtual platforms.
FUTURE PLANNING: Use the successes and failures of modernism to inform urban and social planning, especially for more sustainable and liveable cities.
Adhocism: The Case for Improvisation (1972)
by Charles Jencks and Nathan Silver
If the 1970s had a poster-child for Agile and Lean thinking, it would be 'Adhocism’.
This book is a wonderful read, especially if acquired as a pre-loved copy from a second-hand bookstore – if not only for the cover and fantastic photography throughout. I found my copy for €3 in a Dutch store that sells books by weight.
The core premise of 'Adhocism' is a paradigm shift from rigid and linear approaches to being more dynamic and responsive. It emphasises the importance of flexibility, improvisation, and resourcefulness.
'Adhocism' advocates for the creative and unconventional use of available resources in problem-solving – looking to adaptive solutions to the challenges of a fast-changing world.
However, it hasn't been without its detractors, who often view it more as a postmodern art concept than as the foundation for a practical movement. Even the authors have told differing stories about its meaning and inception.
• FLEXIBILITY: encourage innovative thinking and quick adaptation to change.
• RESOURCEFUL: prioritize creatively using existing assets over seeking new.
• CONSTRAINED: view limitations as opportunities for inventive solutions.
• SUSTAINABLE: focus on reuse + repurpose for resilience and efficiency.
• COOPERATIVE: promote co-design for more comprehensive, richer solutions.
BLOOD IN THE MACHINE: The Origins of the Rebellion Against Big Tech (2023)
by Brian Merchant
‘Blood in the Machine’ is a cautionary tale for our modern world.
Revisiting the Luddite Rebellion to show that they were far from being anti-technology zealots – rather ordinary skilled workers facing disruptive industrial change.
Helping reframe the ethical considerations of technology – drawing lessons for the rise of artificial intelligence, automation and robotics. Urging leaders to contemplate the long-term impacts of their actions.
MODERN PARALLELS: recurring patterns of resistance to technology.
HUMAN IMPACT: the social and employment challenges of new technologies.
ETHICAL POLICY: thoughtful regulations to ensure both ethical and social welfare.
ETHICAL DEVELOPMENT: proactively addressing potential societal drawbacks of new tech.
INCLUSIVE PROGRESS: advancement that is beneficial for all sections of society.
PROFILES OF THE FUTURE (1962)
by Arthur C Clarke
In 'Profiles of the Future' (1962) Arthur C. Clarke's explored potential technological futures, challenging us to imagine the possibilities of a future world.
“The only way of discovering the limits of the possible is to venture a little way past them into the impossible.”
He viewed future speculative technologies as central to reshaping our social structures, economies, and daily-lives. Describing satellites, internet-like libraries, space exploration, advanced robotics and automation – while all the time emphasizing the importance of responsible innovation.
“Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.”
TECHNOLOGICAL LIMITS: push beyond conventional boundaries to discover new possibilities.
SOCIAL CATALYSTS: future tech will be central to transforming society and economies.
FUTURE INVENTIONS: anticipates developments in communication, travel, and machines.
RESPONSIBLE INNOVATION: the importance of ethical considerations in technology.
FUTURISTIC WONDER: the awe and possibility of technology, even magical in their impact.
Malleus Maleficarum (1487)
by Heinrich Kramer
BBC Radio 4 - You’re Dead To Me
The Malleus Maleficarum or 'Hammer of Witches' is an historic argument for the existence of witchcraft and the harsh persecution of witches. It sparked a cultural war against women – that remains, to this day, embedded in modern culture.
HISTORICAL MISOGYNY: The portrayal of women as prone to demonic influences serves as a record of deep-rooted attitudes against female independence.
UNCONTROLLED POWER: A warning about the importance of equality and rational thought, and the ease of widespread persecution.
RESILIENCE AND OPPOSITION: A source of inspiration in women's continued fight for gender equality, and against all forms of discrimination and oppression.