{
  "id": 297021,
  "title": "What I’ve been reading",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/what-ive-been-reading",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-08T04:43:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Marginal Revolution",
    "slug": "marginal-revolution",
    "url": "https://marginalrevolution.com/marginalrevolution/2026/08/what-ive-been-reading-293.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In the book \"Wireheads: An Unnatural History of Technology in the Brain\" by Mike Jay, the author explores the intersection of technology and neuroscience, drawing from various scientific trends and works in other fields. The book is well-researched and thought-provoking, making it a valuable read.\n\nVasily Grossman's \"From the Front Line, Stalingrad-Treblinka-Berlin 1941-1945\" is a compelling narrative that highlights the atrocities of World War II. While it contains some repetition, the most engaging third of the book is truly captivating.\n\nPoet Forough Farrokhzad's \"Let Us Believe in the Beginning of the Cold Season\" is a poignant work that tragically ended with the poet's untimely death at 33. Despite her young age, Farrokhzad's poetry is passionate and powerful, captivating the reader with its fiery spirit.\n\nAndré Breton's \"Nadja\" is a short and enjoyable read that provides insight into the surrealist movement. However, the author finds Breton's literary works underwhelming compared to the movement's impact on painting. The final quote, \"Beauty will be CONVULSIVE or not at all,\" leaves much to ponder.\n\nEmma Southon's \"Servus: How Slavery Made the Roman Empire\" offers a gripping and insightful look into the prevalence and impact of slavery in the Roman Empire. Southon's interpretations are intuitive and convincing, providing a valuable counterpoint to other sources on the subject.",
  "summary": "1. Mike Jay, Wireheads: An Unnatural History of Technology in the Brain. Much of this story is told through the lens of the accompanying science fiction and non-neuro trends in other parts of science. An excellent book, substantive on every page, and it will make you want to read some of the works he cites. […] The post What I’ve been reading appeared first on Marginal REVOLUTION .",
  "key_points": [
    "Mike Jay's \"Wireheads\" explores tech's impact on the brain.",
    "Vasily Grossman's WWII narrative is compelling despite repetition.",
    "Forough Farrokhzad's poetry is passionate despite early death."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}