As the lockdown period unfolds and most of us are in the state of being restive or resting – we thought we would put together a bunch of articles, podcasts, videos, books and poetry to ease the wait and keep those neurons sparking!
- Articles:
- Why We Are Wired to Connect: Scientist Matthew Lieberman uncovers the neuroscience of human connections – and the broad implications for how we live our lives.
- The horror films got it wrong. This virus has turned us into caring neighbours: George Monbiot writes how across the world, Covid-19 has triggered community action on a vast scale.
- Coronavirus: The good that can come out of an upside-down world: Matthew Syed writes how amid the darkness, there are also opportunities. “Opportunities to reimagine the world and one’s place within it. Reversal techniques are typically used by people working in the creative industries to come up with new products or innovations. I wonder if we can all use it to seek out a silver lining or two amid the grey clouds.”
- How to Keep the Greater Good in Mind During the Coronavirus Outbreak: In the midst of our panic around COVID-19, we must look to each other to help us get through it.
- Albert Einstein on the Interconnectedness of Our Fates and Our Mightiest Counterforce Against Injustice: “A hundred times every day I remind myself that my inner and outer life are based on the labors of other men, living and dead, and that I must exert myself in order to give in the same measure as I have received and am still receiving.”
- Podcasts:
- TED on Covid-19: TED through its endeavors at TED Connect and TED Interview is examining and reflecting on the Covid-19 situation from various dimensions with the help of several experts from a variety of fields.
- Staying Close While Physical Distancing: In this episode of The Science of Happiness run by the Greater Good Science Centre at UC Berkley, they discuss how to be connected to ones self and the others around even through the period of social distancing.
- How We are Wired for Goodness: Nicholas Christakis speaks from his research on human networks and evolution. You can also watch or listen to his Ted Talk The Hidden Influence of Social Networks.
- Dispatch 1: The Radiolab team grapples alongside us with all the numbers connected to COVID-19. Our new found 6 foot bubbles of personal space. Three percent mortality rate (or 1, or 2, or 4). They reflect on the onslaught of numbers – what they reveal, and what they hide.
- A Hand Washing Meditation for the Covid-19 Era: A fun weird meditation to try out while one of your many handwashing moments through this lockdown.
- Books & Poetry:
- The Lorax by Dr.Seuss: A children’s book thats also great for adults. It chronicles the plight of the environment and the Lorax is the titular character, who “speaks for the trees” and confronts the Once-ler, who causes environmental destruction.
- Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman: A book for poetry par excellence, one to keep close on days when things seem difficult and dense.
- Connected: The Surprising Power of Our Social Networks by Nicholas Christakis: Based on exciting discoveries in mathematics, genetics, psychology and sociology, ‘Connected’ is an innovative and fascinating exploration of how social networks operate.
- A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman: A recent bestseller about a grumpy yet loveable man who finds his solitary world turned on its head when a boisterous young family moves in next door.
- Pale Blue Dot: A Vision of the Human Future in Space by Carl Sagan: An old favorite, Sagan mixes philosophy about the human place in the universe with a description of the current knowledge about the Solar System.
- Walden by Henry David Thoreau: A reflection upon simple living in natural surroundings by Thoreau based on his experiments of staying in Walden.
- The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate – Discoveries from a Secret World by Peter Wohlleben: Based on ground-breaking scientific discoveries to describe how trees are like human families: tree parents live together with their children, they communicate with them, support them as they grow, share nutrients with those who are sick or struggling, and even warn each other of impending dangers.
You can also look at a list of songs, books and movies we curated for The Verve here! Share your own favorites and your insights, thoughts and questions with us at Instagram, Twitter or you can even join our Whatsapp Group!