On Immunity by Eula Biss Summary
Overview of On Immunity
In "On Immunity," Eula Biss brilliantly dissects our complex relationship with vaccines. Named one of 2014's best books by The New York Times and endorsed by Bill Gates, this spellbinding exploration asks: why do we fear protection more than disease itself?
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Key takeaways
The Myth of Perfect Protection: When Love Meets Fear
The ancient story of Achilles reveals a pattern that resonates through millennia - parents will make desperate gambles to protect their children, yet can never fully shield them from fate. When my son was born during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, I crossed into a realm of fear I hadn't previously known. Suddenly, ordinary objects could kill and paranoia felt entirely normal. Lead paint, water contaminants, and even stagnant air joined influenza on my growing list of threats. As the pandemic intensified, a central question emerged among mothers: would we vaccinate our children? Heated debates raged in playgroups and online forums long before the H1N1 vaccine was available. Our language around vaccination reveals our deepest anxieties - we call it a "shot" or "jab," framing it as violence. Throughout history, vaccination has triggered fears of permanent marking - from the "mark of the beast" in the 19th century to modern fears of autism and immune dysfunction. Where our ancestors feared organic contamination like "blood of bats," today we fear chemicals - "the frickin' mercury, the aluminum." What's striking is how these fears persist despite overwhelming evidence of safety. We're caught in a paradox where the success of vaccines makes the diseases they prevent seem less threatening than the vaccines themselves.
The Hive Mind: Our Interconnected Immunity
The Friendly Invaders: Rethinking Our Relationship with Microbes
The Paradox of Risk: Our Irrational Fears
From Folk Medicine to Modern Science: Vaccination's Remarkable Journey
The Ghosts of Epidemics Past: Our Forgotten Vulnerability
Beyond Self and Other: Immunity as Shared Garden
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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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