euphy
@Zedanur
part-time teacher, full-time reader
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Blindness – A Psychological and Social Analysis of a Moral Allegory
José Saramago’s Blindness is not merely a tale of disaster; it is a profound psychological and sociological examination of the dark corners of human nature. The sudden onset of blindness in one man, followed by a rapid and contagious epidemic, affects not just individuals but the very fabric of society. This loss is not merely physical—it symbolizes the collapse of moral values and social norms.
Throughout the novel, characters are not referred to by names but by descriptors: the doctor, the doctor’s wife, the first blind man, and so on. This narrative choice emphasizes the stripping away of identity and individuality, turning each character into a faceless part of a collective mass. In terms of social psychology, this is a direct reference to the concept of deindividuation—a state where individuals lose their self-awareness and moral compass in group settings. Without names, the characters are deprived of personal identity, and as a result, they begin to behave in ways that defy their former ethical standards.
This psychological erosion becomes most apparent in the mental hospital where the blind are quarantined. A new power hierarchy forms, and a small group dominates the rest through control of food, coercion, and even sexual violence. This descent into cruelty mirrors the findings of Philip Zimbardo’s Stanford Prison Experiment, in which participants assigned the role of guards rapidly became abusive. Similarly, in the novel, individuals who acquire power abandon empathy and embrace authoritarianism.
The novel also reflects the disturbing ease with which people obey authority without questioning its legitimacy—a central theme in Stanley Milgram’s obedience experiments. In Blindness, many
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Bodies: The Whole Blood-Pumping Story by Glenn Murphy
I picked up Bodies: The Whole Blood-Pumping Story by Glenn Murphy on a whim, expecting a light, kid-friendly science read—and while it’s technically written for ages 12 and up, I’m 26 and I honestly learned a ton. I didn’t expect to be so entertained while absorbing facts about blood, organs, digestion, and all the bizarre things our bodies do on a daily basis.
What really makes this book stand out is Murphy’s tone: it’s casual, witty, and packed with humor. He has this way of making science feel fun and accessible without ever dumbing things down. You get all the cool facts you wish you’d learned in school—complete with gross-out moments and weird trivia—but in a way that sticks. It feels more like you’re chatting with your smart, funny friend than reading a science book.
Even though it’s aimed at younger readers, I think adults (especially those who feel like they’ve forgotten everything they learned in biology class) will find it just as informative and maybe even more fun. It also helped me get out of a bit of a reading slump—sometimes you just need something light, fast-paced, and genuinely enjoyable to remind yourself why you love reading in the first place.
If you’re looking for something educational that doesn’t feel like homework, or if you want to spark your curiosity about the human body again, I highly recommend giving this one a try. Age is just a number—especially when you're learning how your actual body works!
