Public Thinking: Social Media and the New 'Public Intellectual'
New Books in Science, Technology, and Society
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Dresner: The Rise of Thought Leaders
Public intellectuals for Dresner include figures like author Tanohasi Coates and journalist activist Masha Gessen. One reason for the current rise of thought leaders, says Dresner, is the economic inequality that has produced a distinctive new class of plutocrats. Wealthy elites love to fund think tanks and mingle at glamorous big ideas conferences. Successful business leaders generally overestimate the effect of individual agency on life outcomes,. And underestimate the effects of systemic inequality.
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