Matthew T Carrano Knihy

Christopher Hitchens was once regarded as one of the most eloquent left-wing polemicists, but today, many on the left view him as a defector and a warmonger due to his support for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq after September 11. In this analysis, Matt Johnson contends that this narrative misrepresents Hitchens. He was a steadfast advocate for free inquiry, humanism, and universal liberal values, believing in the fundamental right of all individuals to express themselves freely, free from authoritarian constraints. Hitchens embodied Enlightenment ideals and remained a man of the left throughout his life, making his legacy increasingly relevant today. The liberal foundations of democratic societies are showing signs of decay, with nationalism and authoritarianism resurging on the right, while the left grapples with an overly reductive identity politics and a belief in the systemic flaws of their own societies. As free speech and individual rights wane in influence, Hitchens's defense of universal Enlightenment principles offers a vital framework for genuine liberals to resist emerging illiberal trends. His example serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of thinking and speaking boldly in support of these ideals.

Ever notice that all watch ads show 10:10 as the time? Or that all fast-food restaurants use red or yellow in their logos? Or that certain stores are always having a sale?You may not be aware of these details, yet they’ve been influencing you all along.Every time you purchase, swipe, or click, marketers are able to more accurately predict your behavior. These days, brands know more about you than you know about yourself. Blindsight is here to change that.With eye-opening science, engaging stories, and fascinating real-world examples, neuroscientist Matt Johnson and marketer Prince Ghuman dive deep into the surprising relationship between brains and brands. In Blindsight, they showcase how marketing taps every aspect of our mental lives, covering the neuroscience of pain and pleasure, emotion and logic, fear and safety, attention and addiction, and much more.We like to think of ourselves as independent actors in control of our decisions, but the truth is far more complicated. Blindsight will give you the ability to see the unseeable when it comes to marketing, so that you can consume on your own terms. On the surface, you will learn how the brain works and how brands design for it. But peel back a layer, and you’ll find a sharper image of your psychology, reflected in your consumer behavior.This book will change the way you view not just branding, but yourself, too.

'All the ingredients of a Le Carre novel, only it's real' - Matthew Hall, crimewriter and screenwriter (Keeping Faith)

The Delany, captained by the swashbuckling Bob, is orbiting Europa, studying its atmosphere, but the ship is divided into two factions. The "Bobs," loyal to their vain captain, clash with crew members Dwayne and Nalani, who are focused on the moon's surface. Dwayne and Nalani make a groundbreaking discovery when a drone captures images of a seemingly normal American city encased in a dome with a crack. As the crew investigates, they are drawn into New Roanoke, a city inhabited by generations of UFO abductees, reflecting a distorted version of American society. They find themselves amidst an election that could determine whether the residents should return to Earth. The dome's crack threatens to collapse, and the inhabitants face terror from "invisible things" that torment them, raising the central mystery of their existence. Through Nalani's journey in this mirrored world, the narrative explores polarized politics, existential dilemmas, and environmental concerns that resonate with our own reality. The fate of New Roanoke hangs in the balance, prompting questions about survival and the nature of their society.