reading 101 essays

• Medical Books

Add other items:

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required .

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

Follow the author

Image Unavailable

• To view this video download Flash Player

101 Essays That Will Change The Way You Think Paperback – November 7, 2018

Purchase options and add-ons

Additional details.

• Print length 448 pages
• Language English
• Publication date November 7, 2018
• Dimensions 5.5 x 1.01 x 8.5 inches
• ISBN-10 1945796065
• ISBN-13 978-1945796067
• See all details

Frequently bought together

Similar items that may deliver to you quickly

Editorial Reviews

About the author, product details.

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Thought Catalog Books; First Edition (November 7, 2018)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 448 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1945796065
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1945796067
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.39 pounds
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 1.01 x 8.5 inches
• #1 in Medical General Psychology
• #22 in Personal Transformation Self-Help
• #50 in Religion & Spirituality (Books)

Videos for this product

Click to play video

amazing if you're in the right target audience

Courtney Johnson

Full of deep life questions and really makes you think

The most thought provoking read!

Chloe's Top Picks

101 Essays That Will Change The Way You Think - A Must Have!

Molly Sloan

Great book to dig yourself out of your rut!

Tina Michelle

Does this book really change the way you think?!

Taylor Alexander

The Best Book to Give as a Gift!

101 Essays- who is this for?

Amanda Peterson

Customer Review: Arrived Damaged

Brandi Craft

fixing my decor books #comparisonvideo

the inspo account

About the author

Brianna wiest.

Brianna Wiest is the international bestselling author of 101 Essays That Will Change The Way You Think, The Mountain Is You, This Is How You Heal, two poetry collections and more. Her books have sold 1M+ copies, regularly appear on global bestseller lists, and are currently being translated into 20+ languages worldwide.

Customer reviews

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

Reviews with images

• Sort reviews by Top reviews Most recent Top reviews

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. please try again later..

Top reviews from other countries

• Amazon Newsletter
• About Amazon
• Accessibility
• Sustainability
• Press Center
• Investor Relations
• Amazon Devices
• Amazon Science
• Sell on Amazon
• Sell apps on Amazon
• Supply to Amazon
• Protect & Build Your Brand
• Become an Affiliate
• Become a Delivery Driver
• Start a Package Delivery Business
• Advertise Your Products
• Self-Publish with Us
• Become an Amazon Hub Partner
• › See More Ways to Make Money
• Amazon Visa
• Amazon Store Card
• Amazon Secured Card
• Amazon Business Card
• Shop with Points
• Credit Card Marketplace
• Reload Your Balance
• Amazon Currency Converter
• Your Account
• Your Orders
• Shipping Rates & Policies
• Amazon Prime
• Returns & Replacements
• Manage Your Content and Devices
• Recalls and Product Safety Alerts
• Conditions of Use
• Privacy Notice
• Consumer Health Data Privacy Disclosure
• Your Ads Privacy Choices

"101 Essays That Will Change The Way You Think" Summary

By Brianna Wiest

nonfiction | 334 pages | Published in 2016

Over the past few years, Brianna Wiest has gained renown for her deeply moving, philosophical writing. This new compilation of her published work features pieces on why you should pursue purpose over passion, embrace negative thinking, see the wisdom in daily routine, and become aware of the cognitive biases that are creating the way you see your life. Some of these pieces have never been seen; others have been read by millions of people around the world. Regardless, each will leave you thinking: this idea changed my life.

Estimated read time: 5 min read

One Sentence Summary

A thought-provoking collection of essays that challenges and transforms your perspective on life.

Table of Contents

Introduction, brief synopsis, main characters, summary of different story points, main events, themes and insights, reader's takeaway.

"101 Essays That Will Change The Way You Think" is a thought-provoking collection of essays written by Brianna Wiest. The book delves into various aspects of life, including self-improvement, relationships, personal growth, and the pursuit of happiness. Each essay offers profound insights and challenges readers to question their assumptions and beliefs. With its diverse range of topics and engaging writing style, this book is a must-read for anyone seeking personal and intellectual transformation.

The book is divided into several sections, each exploring a different theme. Wiest's essays cover a wide array of topics, such as the importance of self-acceptance, the power of vulnerability, the impact of social media on our lives, and the role of gratitude in finding happiness. Through personal anecdotes, philosophical musings, and thought-provoking observations, the author encourages readers to examine their own beliefs and behaviors.

The setting of the book is not specific to any particular location or time period. Instead, the essays focus on universal themes and experiences that can resonate with readers from various backgrounds.

As "101 Essays That Will Change The Way You Think" is a collection of essays, there are no specific characters that appear throughout the book. However, the author, Brianna Wiest, is the central voice and perspective in each of the essays. Wiest draws from her own experiences and observations to offer insights and guidance to the readers.

Section 1: Self-Improvement and Personal Growth

In this section, Wiest explores the importance of self-acceptance and the journey towards personal growth. She discusses the power of embracing imperfections, overcoming self-doubt, and cultivating self-compassion. The essays in this section encourage readers to let go of societal expectations and focus on their own unique paths to self-improvement.

Section 2: Relationships and Connections

Wiest delves into the complexities of relationships and the impact they have on our lives. She explores the dynamics of romantic relationships, friendships, and family connections. The essays in this section delve into topics such as communication, trust, forgiveness, and the importance of setting boundaries. Wiest challenges readers to reflect on their own relationships and consider how they can foster healthier and more fulfilling connections.

Section 3: Mindset and Perspective

This section focuses on the power of mindset and perspective in shaping our experiences. Wiest explores the concept of gratitude and its transformative effects on our overall well-being. She also delves into the impact of social media on our mental health and encourages readers to cultivate mindfulness and present-moment awareness. The essays in this section provide valuable insights into how our thoughts and perceptions can influence our daily lives.

Section 4: Life Lessons and Reflections

In this final section, Wiest shares personal reflections and life lessons that she has learned along her own journey. She discusses topics such as the pursuit of happiness, the value of solitude, and the importance of embracing change. The essays in this section offer profound insights and inspire readers to reflect on their own lives and the choices they make.

As "101 Essays That Will Change The Way You Think" is a collection of essays, there is no linear narrative or sequence of events. Each essay stands alone and offers its own unique insights and perspectives. However, the underlying theme of personal growth and transformation is woven throughout the entire book.

• Self-Acceptance: Wiest emphasizes the importance of accepting ourselves as we are, flaws and all. She encourages readers to embrace their imperfections and let go of the need for external validation.
• Growth Mindset: The author highlights the power of having a growth mindset and the willingness to learn and evolve. She encourages readers to see challenges as opportunities for growth and to continuously strive for personal development.
• Authentic Relationships: Wiest explores the significance of authentic connections and the importance of nurturing healthy relationships. She emphasizes the need for open communication, trust, and setting boundaries to foster meaningful connections.
• Mindfulness and Gratitude: The author discusses the transformative effects of practicing mindfulness and gratitude. She highlights the importance of being present in the moment and cultivating a sense of gratitude for the little things in life.

"101 Essays That Will Change The Way You Think" is a powerful and thought-provoking book that offers profound insights into various aspects of life. Through her engaging writing style and personal anecdotes, Brianna Wiest challenges readers to question their beliefs, embrace personal growth, and cultivate meaningful connections. This book serves as a valuable resource for anyone seeking personal and intellectual transformation.

"101 Essays That Will Change The Way You Think" by Brianna Wiest is a captivating collection of essays that explores the complexities of life and offers profound insights into personal growth, relationships, and mindset. With its diverse range of topics and engaging writing style, this book has the potential to change the way readers think and inspire them to lead more fulfilling lives. Whether you are looking for self-improvement or simply a thought-provoking read, this book is a must-have addition to your reading list.

101 Essays That Will Change The Way You Think FAQ

What is the main theme of '101 essays that will change the way you think'.

The main theme of the book is to challenge and expand the reader's perspective and thinking patterns.

Who is the author of '101 Essays That Will Change The Way You Think'?

The author of the book is Brianna Wiest.

How many essays are included in the book?

The book contains 101 essays.

Are the essays interconnected or can they be read independently?

The essays can be read independently, as each essay focuses on a different topic or idea.

What are some of the topics covered in the essays?

The essays cover a wide range of topics, including self-reflection, personal growth, relationships, mental health, and spirituality.

Is the book suitable for all age groups?

Yes, the book is suitable for readers of all age groups who are interested in exploring new ideas and perspectives.

Are the essays easy to understand, or do they require prior knowledge?

The essays are written in a clear and accessible manner, making them easy to understand for readers without prior knowledge on the topics.

Can the book be used for self-reflection and journaling purposes?

Absolutely! The thought-provoking essays in the book can be used as prompts for self-reflection and journaling.

Is '101 Essays That Will Change The Way You Think' available in multiple formats?

Yes, the book is available in both paperback and e-book formats.

Are there any exercises or activities included in the book?

Yes, some essays include exercises or activities that encourage readers to actively engage with the ideas presented.

Books like 101 Essays That Will Change The Way You Think

A Journal of the Plague Year

By Daniel Defoe

The Long Goodbye

By Meghan O'Rourke

The Secret History

By Procopius

By Keith Richards

101 Essays That Will Change the Way You Think

• 4.4 • 568 Ratings

Publisher Description

101 Essays That Will Change The Way You Think, the global bestseller and social media phenomenon, is a collection of author Brianna Wiest's most beloved pieces of writing. Her meditations include why you should pursue purpose over passion, embrace negative thinking, see the wisdom in daily routine, and become aware of the cognitive biases that are creating the way you see your life. Some of these pieces have never been seen; others have been read by millions of people around the world. Regardless, each will leave you thinking: this idea changed my life.

APPLE BOOKS REVIEW

Brianna Wiest was just 24 when 101 Essays That Will Change the Way You Think was published, proving that wisdom doesn’t only come with age. Wiest’s endgame is happiness. To get you there, she tackles big questions in the vein of “What’s the meaning of life?”—but she discusses them with a light touch, in relatable, everyday language. (In other words, you don’t need a philosophy degree to read this!) One recurring idea that really resonates is Wiest’s reframing of the past not as a fixed, unchangeable reality, but as an ever-shifting variety of experiences and memories. She explains how this helps us stop seeing painful or traumatic events in our lives as impediments to our current happiness. Wiest makes the path to enlightenment easier by breaking down her advice into bite-size bullet points that are as wise as they are Instagram-ready. If you’re inspired by the work of Brené Brown and Don Miguel Ruiz, Brianna Wiest might just become your new favorite self-help author. 

Customer Reviews

I think you should read it..

I think is such a good book and it did teach me a lot in many aspects of my life, I’m grateful to find it and read it. The only thing I don’t like its when in the book they expand a subject that could have finished really quickly

One of the best books I have ever read..

Truly an amazing, insightful read. I will say along with all the hard work I’ve done on myself as far as growing and healing goes, this book has changed my life and definitely for the better. Highly recommended this book to everyone no matter what stage of life you are in.

A nice think piece.

Saw the comments on this book and was unsure if would buy it. I sampled the first chapter or 2 and found myself interested in reading more. I throughly enjoyed it and will recommend it to my friends.

More Books by Brianna Wiest

Customers also bought.

We will keep fighting for all libraries - stand with us!

Internet Archive Audio

• This Just In
• Grateful Dead
• Old Time Radio
• 78 RPMs and Cylinder Recordings
• Audio Books & Poetry
• Computers, Technology and Science
• Music, Arts & Culture
• News & Public Affairs
• Spirituality & Religion
• Radio News Archive

• Flickr Commons
• Occupy Wall Street Flickr
• NASA Images
• Solar System Collection
• Ames Research Center

• All Software
• Old School Emulation
• MS-DOS Games
• Historical Software
• Classic PC Games
• Software Library
• Kodi Archive and Support File
• Vintage Software
• CD-ROM Software
• CD-ROM Software Library
• Software Sites
• Tucows Software Library
• Shareware CD-ROMs
• Software Capsules Compilation
• CD-ROM Images
• ZX Spectrum
• DOOM Level CD

• Smithsonian Libraries
• FEDLINK (US)
• Lincoln Collection
• American Libraries
• Canadian Libraries
• Universal Library
• Project Gutenberg
• Children's Library
• Biodiversity Heritage Library
• Books by Language
• Additional Collections

• Prelinger Archives
• Democracy Now!
• Occupy Wall Street
• TV NSA Clip Library
• Animation & Cartoons
• Arts & Music
• Computers & Technology
• Cultural & Academic Films
• Ephemeral Films
• Sports Videos
• Videogame Videos
• Youth Media

Search the history of over 866 billion web pages on the Internet.

Mobile Apps

• Wayback Machine (iOS)
• Wayback Machine (Android)

Browser Extensions

Archive-it subscription.

• Explore the Collections
• Build Collections

Save Page Now

Capture a web page as it appears now for use as a trusted citation in the future.

Please enter a valid web address

• Donate Donate icon An illustration of a heart shape

101 Essays That Will Change Your Think

Bookreader item preview, share or embed this item, flag this item for.

• Graphic Violence
• Explicit Sexual Content
• Hate Speech
• Misinformation/Disinformation
• Marketing/Phishing/Advertising
• Misleading/Inaccurate/Missing Metadata

plus-circle Add Review comment Reviews

2,736 Views

41 Favorites

DOWNLOAD OPTIONS

In collections.

Uploaded by nrchay2 on July 9, 2021

SIMILAR ITEMS (based on metadata)

• SSP MyELT Activities
• RW MyELT Activities

Welcome to the resource site for ELS, which includes custom content for Structure & Speaking Practice and Reading & Writing. 

Navigate to any resource using the menus above.

101 Essays That Will Change The Way You Think

By brianna wiest.

• ★ ★ ★ ★ 4.10 ·
• 2639 Want to read
• 137 Currently reading
• 54 Have read

Preview Book

My Reading Lists:

Use this Work

Create a new list

My book notes.

My private notes about this edition:

Check nearby libraries

• Library.link

Buy this book

441 pages ; 22 cm

Showing 3 featured editions. View all 3 editions?

Add another edition?

Book Details

The physical object, work description.

"101 Essays That Will Change The Way You Think, the global bestseller and social media phenomenon, is a collection of author Brianna Wiest's most beloved pieces of writing. Her meditations include why you should pursue purpose over passion, embrace negative thinking, see the wisdom in daily routine, and become aware of the cognitive biases that are creating the way you see your life. Some of these pieces have never been seen; others have been read by millions of people around the world. Regardless, each will leave you thinking: this idea changed my life."

Community Reviews (2)

• Created December 4, 2020
• 6 revisions

Wikipedia citation

Copy and paste this code into your Wikipedia page. Need help?

• Skip to main content
• Keyboard shortcuts for audio player

Book Reviews

My octopus teacher's craig foster dives into the ocean again in 'amphibious soul'.

Barbara J. King

The film My Octopus Teacher tells the story of a man who goes diving every day into the underwater South African kelp forest and forms a close relationship there with an octopus. That man — the diver, and also the filmmaker — was Craig Foster, who delighted millions of nature lovers around the world and took home the 2021 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.

Now in a new book, Amphibious Soul: Finding the Wild in a Tame World , Foster describes the entire ecosystem of the Great African Seaforest at the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa, and the transforming role it has played in his quest to seek wildness. As the book's amphibious title hints, Foster is as much (maybe more) at home in the ocean as he is on land.

Foster's incredible engagement with seaforest creatures comes through beautifully in this account. Every day for months, he recounts, he "visited the crack in the rock where a huge male clingfish lived," and the fish became quite calm in his presence. "Returning to the same places, watching for subtle changes, and continuing to ask questions replenishes my curiosity," he writes.

Foster's profound tie to place reminds me of birders who closely attend to nature in their own yard or local park. Indeed, Foster underscores that any of us can find wildness where we live: "We can all develop a more playful relationship with nature, whether that means collecting crisp leaves or smooth rocks to use in our artwork or watching the squirrel perform acrobatics outside our window."

Nature's healing power is a focus for Foster and an immensely personal one. Before he had any thoughts of My Octopus Teacher , he was burned out on long grinding hours of film-making work. He found relief in cold immersion, both in the ocean and in a home-made box containing icewater. Later though, after the immense global attention to the octopus film and therefore to him, he suffered from insomnia so pronounced that some nights he managed only 10 minutes of sleep. His body and mind were breaking down and felt a strong pull to find his way back to the wild.

Filmmaker Finds An Unlikely Underwater Friend In 'My Octopus Teacher'

To become fully immersed in the story of his quest for wild healing, it's necessary to go with Foster's flow and accept his constant, near-mystical reverence for "our ancestors." I read with a wild-seeking heart his belief that modern-day humans can recover an ancestral link to wild creatures — but also, inescapably, I read with an anthropologist's sensibilities. Is it possible to replicate "humanity's natural state?" Is there a singular way to describe our ancestors' experiences with animals? Given the long sweep of human evolution, which ancestors exactly?

Might there be a hint of romanticizing the past here? Foster writes of "our nonviolent origins" and adds that it was "only with the advent of agriculture that the reciprocity with the wild that we'd enjoyed for some 300,000 years began to break apart — and with it, our psyches." Yet there's serious anthropological scholarship that argues warfare began 200,000 or 300,000 years ago, far longer ago than the start of agriculture around 12,000 years ago.

A stronger thread in the book is the powerful connection to nature that comes with tracking. At first, I thought Foster meant looking only for animal tracks in the dirt, mud, or snow, but his definition is more comprehensive, and eye-opening: "any clue left by any creature or plant, sand or rock." Running water also may leave a track, or lightning hitting a tree.

For an amphibious soul, the height of joy comes with underwater tracking: Foster taught himself to see tracks of mollusks in the sand atop the back of a stingray, or an octopus's predation marks on a shell. How magnificent to see the undersea universe in such detail! Once again, Foster broadens out from his own experience to encourage the rest of us: "Just start small and chip away," Foster advises. In addition to looking for ground tracks, "seek out marks on plants, trees, rocks, or walls."

Foster's writing is rooted in his own learning from an array of mentors, including Indigenous individuals, and in a wish to share and spread his joy in nature. A spirit of generosity suffuses the book.

It's probably thanks to an octopus that Amphibious Soul is out in the world. Foster invites us now to recognize the intrinsic value of the Great African Seaforest ecosystem as a whole — and of all ecosystems that enshrine wildness.

Barbara J. King is a biological anthropologist emerita at William & Mary. After writing about animal grief and love, and how all of us may bring about greater compassion for animals, she is now writing about cats for her 8th book. Find her on X, formerly Twitter @bjkingape

site categories

Cannes cover story: aubrey plaza says francis coppola “doesn’t need my defense”, reveals the “collaboration and experimentation” of ‘megalopolis’, breaking news.

• Nigerian Action Thriller ‘Son Of The Soil’ Begins Shooting, Raz Adoti Writing & Starring

By Jesse Whittock

Jesse Whittock

International TV Co-Editor

More Stories By Jesse

• Sony Pictures Entertainment Full-Year Profits Fall Nearly 10% To $808M
• RJ Malishka, Rajesh Kumar & KC Shankar Latest To Land Key Roles In SonyLIV Political Drama Series ‘Freedom At Midnight’

EXCLUSIVE: Shooting is underway on Son of the Soil , a thriller from Action Xtreme out of Nigeria .

Conceived by Action Xtreme CEO Chee Keong Cheung, who directs and produces, the film follows former former Nigerian soldier Zion Ladejo, tortured by his past, who is forced to return to Nigeria following the tragic and untimely death of his sister. Determined to find those responsible, he embarks on a campaign of vengeance and in the process seeks redemption for his past actions.

Related Stories

The Gotham Group Signs Nigerian 'Mami Wata' Director CJ Obasi

Pan-African Rwanda Genocide Drama 'Bisesero: A Daughter's Story' Sets Cast With Tracy Kababiito, Wale Ojo & Isabelle Kabano - AFM

Further casting includes Africa Movie Academy Award Best Actress nominee Iretiola Doyle ( Fifty, Arbitration ), Sunshine Rosman ( Flawsome, Finding Messiah ), Philip Asaya ( Cake, Slum King ), Damilola Ogunsi ( The Weekend, Gangs of Lagos ), Taye Arimoro ( Casa La Novia, The House of Secrets ), Emeka Golden ( Joe, Ije Awele ), Sharon Rotimi ( Chronicles ) and James ‘BlacQ’ Damilare.

Crew includes Nigeria-based producer Wingonia Ikpi who serves as line producer and casting director through her company, Boxonia Blueprint. Other producers include Ioanna Karavela ( Redcon-1, The Experiment, Bad Day at the Office ). Director of photography is Jack Thompson-Roylance ( Matar ). 

“Every film I’ve been a part of has meant something special to me, but with Son of the Soil , it is so much more than just a job,” said Adoti. “It feels like a ‘calling’ or a ‘purpose’ that touches my very spirit. I hope that I can make the people of Nigeria and Africa proud with this humble offering of an unorthodox, fictitious tale of inspiration, action and violence. A story that has an underlying message of hope and justice.”

“This is my first experience of working in Nigeria and I am excited to be working with such an incredible cast and crew,” said Cheung. “The dynamic landscapes and rich culture provide the perfect backdrop for the film. Amidst the adrenaline-fueled action, audiences will find themselves immersed in a journey that not only entertains but also celebrates the beauty and diversity of Nigeria.”

Must Read Stories

Sydney sweeney ‘barbarella’ pic has edgar wright in talks to helm; writers eyed.

Inside The Upfront; Fall Sked; Renewals, Leary Comedy, New Series Trailers & More

Jake borelli leaving abc drama next season after seven years, kevin costner talks about his cannes western ‘horizon’ & ‘yellowstone’ rancor.

Subscribe to Deadline Breaking News Alerts and keep your inbox happy.

Read More About:

No comments.

Deadline is a part of Penske Media Corporation. © 2024 Deadline Hollywood, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

Zeynep Tufekci

I Was Once a Student Protester. The Old Hyperbole Is Now Reality.

By Zeynep Tufekci

Opinion Columnist

Two police cars idled across the street from the protest rally I was attending in front of the State Capitol in Austin, Texas, their red and blue lights flashing but their sirens silent. The police seemed more bored than annoyed. It was the early 2000s, and I had recently moved from Turkey to study at the University of Texas.

My fellow protesters were outraged. “This is what a police state looks like!” they started chanting.

I turned around, bewildered. Turkey was still emerging from the long shadow of the 1980 coup. For years, protests were suppressed, sometimes with deadly force. Even a whiff of disruption could get Istanbul shut down, with armored vehicles blocking major roads. Trust me, I said, this is not what a police state looks like.

When I told my friends back home that Americans thought it was outrageous for the police even to show up at a demonstration , it was considered yet more evidence that I had been recruited by the C.I.A.

“The American police showed up to a protest and did nothing ?” one of my friends scoffed. “Just watched? No arrests? No heads bashed in?” Yeah, right.

In the two decades that have passed since then, American protests have changed a bit. America’s response to them has changed a great deal.

Many observers name Sept. 11 as the turning point when America’s police departments started becoming something more like a military force, but really, it was the Iraq War. That conflict turbocharged a policy that allowed police departments to get surplus military equipment at no charge. More than 8,000 local police departments have acquired over $7 billion worth of the kind of heavy equipment — mine-resistant armored vehicles, tactical gear, grenade launchers, weaponized aircraft, assault rifles — normally used in combat .

Why do places like Preston, Idaho (population 6,000), and Dundee, Mich. (pop. 8,000), need armored vehicles designed to withstand mines?

If you acquire it, it will likely be used. Police officers are a lot less likely to sit in cars and watch protests from a distance these days.

I stayed in academia and made political resistance around the world one of my primary fields of study. The one lesson I learned above all else is that a disproportionate crackdown is often a protest movement’s most powerful accelerant.

I saw it in Occupy Wall Street in 2011, when a video of penned-in women being pepper-sprayed at close range turned a little-known demonstration into an idea with nationwide reach . I saw it in Gezi Park, Istanbul, in 2013 when people hoping to save the park from demolition were tear-gassed and arrested, their small encampment burned. It helped generate protests that rocked the nation. I saw it in Ferguson, Mo. , in 2014, when troopers showing up to a grieving community with armored cars and sniper rifles caused the outrage that fueled a national movement. And just think of what the photographs of police officers turning dogs and hoses on peaceful marchers did for the civil rights movement.

The United States now stands at another such inflection point. Across the country, university administrators — as well as some students, parents, trustees, donors and elected officials — have grown frustrated by protests over the war in Gaza. That’s no surprise; the protests are intended to be disruptive. Will authority figures rise to the moment and respond to the challenge with skilled leadership befitting institutions of higher learning? Or will they panic and enforce crackdowns way out of proportion to any actual threat?

It’s not looking good so far. At the University of Virginia, in Charlottesville, state police officers in riot gear carrying M4 carbines — the kind of weapons used in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan — and chemical-gas launchers were called in to disperse what many onlookers described as a small, peaceful group with a handful of tents . “None of these folks showed up when I lived on campus and white supremacists with tikki torches yelling ‘Jews will not replace us’ marched through campus as I hid my three kids,” Chad Wellmon, an associate professor at the university , wrote on social media.

At Dartmouth, police officers in riot gear were called in within hours after an encampment formed; in the ensuing confrontation they grabbed Annelise Orleck, the 65-year-old historian and former chair of Jewish studies, slammed her to the ground and arrested her. Until the Dartmouth community howled its objection, she was briefly banned from the campus where she had been teaching for 34 years. She still faces charges of criminal trespass .

At the University of Texas at Austin, officers in riot gear marched into campus on horses like the cavalry heading into war. At Indiana University, state police snipers were positioned on the roofs of campus buildings. Campus after campus is hosting similar scenes, including many pre-dawn raids on sleeping students. At Columbia University, an officer fired a gun. The N.Y.P.D. said it was an accident , and luckily nobody got hurt, but it’s not a comforting development.

It’s bad, and it’s getting worse. The ferocity of the crackdown exceeds the threat to public interest the encampments are accused of posing. It’s a violation of a longstanding social contract regarding how campuses handle demonstrations and a direct contradiction of the loving way that many colleges now depict campus activism of prior decades.

As hard as this may be to believe, absent the glare of publicity, these protests might have been unexceptional — the stuff of college life, for better or worse. Just last year, students at the University of California at Berkeley occupied a library slated for closing — bringing their tents, sleeping bags and air mattresses — for nearly three months. Congress didn’t see the need to hold hearings about it. In 2019, students at Johns Hopkins occupied a building for five weeks to protest the university’s contracts with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and its push for a private police force. Four students were arrested , but the administration quickly announced that the charges would be dropped. Why? Probably for the same reason that Police Chief Laurie Pritchett of Albany, Ga., once quietly arranged for the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to be released from the city’s jail — against King’s wishes. He knew the clamor would subside and the protest would roll on to the next city.

I saw the utility of this approach when I was studying in Texas. When first a few dozen and eventually roughly 200 University of Texas students occupied an administration building overnight to protest the end of affirmative action in the state, the school’s administration extended an olive branch: a series of town halls in which to discuss the issue. The offer was good only if the students left the building, and so they did.

It was a de-escalation tactic that also served as an educational experience. The discussions were sometimes charged, but they produced ideas that helped the university expand its strategies to maintain racial diversity. Those strategies helped the university achieve better results than many comparable institutions.

I hear many people say that the current protests have gone too far for such niceties.

When members of a university community feel threatened it’s a serious problem. Antisemitism is real (as is racism against Muslims and Arabs), and some of the protesters’ tactics, like blocking other people’s passage, have clearly crossed a line. Certainly students who’ve been identified making threats of any kind should face consequences. But the solution to problems like these does not arrive wearing riot gear.

The truth is, protests are always messy, with incoherent or objectionable messages sometimes scattered in with eloquent pleas and impassioned testimony. The 1968 antiwar protesters may be celebrated now, but back then a lot of onlookers were horrified to hear people chanting in favor of a victory by Ho Chi Minh’s army. During the Iraq war, I attended demonstrations to which fringe political groups had managed to attach themselves, and I rolled my eyes at their unhinged slogans or crazy manifestoes.

There’s plenty of that going on here, too. I’m not a wide-eyed graduate student anymore. I’m well into the get-off-my-lawn stage of my career (and until recently, my office overlooked the lawn where Columbia’s protesters pitched their tents). I, too, am often tempted to get annoyed at these students — why this slogan, why this banner, why not something with broader appeal? Overall, however, I’ve been impressed by the sincerity of the protesters I’ve spoken to.

Judging from the new encampments springing up around the country, the harsh countermeasures of the last couple of weeks are counterproductive. But more than that, they are dangerous. Overreactions like this can lead to social breakdown — on both sides of the barricade.

In 2014, Hong Kong’s democracy movement was a textbook nonviolent mass protest — the organizers even named their group “Occupy Central With Love and Peace.” Their movement was crushed, and many organizers were given lengthy jail sentences or forced into exile. I was there for the second round of protests, in 2019. The new leaders were so young and so earnest. As the police kept using rubber bullets and tear gas, though, a small portion of the participants stopped talking about love and peace and started making Molotov cocktails .

You can see where all this is going in the astonishingly violent attack at U.C.L.A ., where a pro-Israel mob charged at people at the encampment with sticks, chemical sprays and fireworks. (The university and law enforcement did not intervene for hours .) And these dangerous dynamics can spread beyond campuses. On Wednesday, a man in New York was charged with assault , accused of driving his car into a crowd of people holding signs and chanting.

Overreaction is dangerous in another way, too.

The University of Florida has now said that students will be suspended from campus (and employees will be fired) for offenses such as “littering,” building “chairs” and posting “unmanned signs.” I somehow doubt that’s going to be applied to undergraduates taking a nap under a tree or to tailgaters at a football game. Rather, I suspect the point is to prevent protests the administration dislikes. What kind of precedent is that? The first bullet fired at a campus protest was an accident. I worry that the next one may not be.

Around the world, authoritarian leaders and others are watching these developments. The Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, even issued a statement condemning the U.S. for its treatment of “conscientious students and academics including anti-Zionist Jews at some prestigious American universities.” I didn’t know how to react at first. But eventually I had to admit to myself that the comparison to a police state isn’t quite as outrageous as it once seemed.

The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. We’d like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips . And here’s our email: [email protected] .

Follow the New York Times Opinion section on Facebook , Instagram , TikTok , WhatsApp , X and Threads .

Zeynep Tufekci  ( @zeynep ) is a professor of sociology and public affairs at Princeton University, the author of “Twitter and Tear Gas: The Power and Fragility of Networked Protest” and a New York Times Opinion columnist. @ zeynep • Facebook

Ukraine war: Russia 'advancing from multiple positions' after delays in Western military aid, Kharkiv governor warns

The warning from Kharkiv's governor Oleh Syniehubov comes as a Ukrainian soldier takes the unusual step of publicly criticising Ukraine's preparations to stop Russia from pushing into the northeast of the country in a Facebook post, writing: "We could die and no one will hear the truth."

Security and Defence Editor @haynesdeborah

Monday 13 May 2024 10:31, UK

Russia was able to open a new front in northeastern Ukraine because of delays in the supply of Western weapons to the frontline, the head of the region under attack has claimed.

Oleh Syniehubov, the governor of Kharkiv, rejected criticism about an alleged lack of Ukrainian fortifications on a long border shared with Russia , insisting that defences are strong - even as Russian forces capture multiple villages and fierce fighting rages.

But a Ukrainian soldier has taken the unusual step of publicly criticising Ukraine's preparations to stop Russia from pushing into the northeast of the country - a threat that commanders had been anticipating ever since they repelled a first invasion two years ago.

Follow latest: Russia claims control of nine villages

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Denys, who is fighting to counter the latest offensive, said in a post on Facebook that he was speaking out because "we could die and no one will hear the truth".

He wrote: "The first line of fortifications and mines simply did not exist."

Describing what happened when Russian ground troops, backed by airstrikes and artillery, simply walked through the border area on Friday, he wrote: "The enemy freely entered the grey zone along the entire cordon line, which in principle should not have been grey!

"In two years, there should have been concrete fortifications... on the Ukrainian border!"

Drone footage posted on social media appears to show Russian foot soldiers advancing across a field on the Ukrainian side of the border unchallenged.

Though, a platoon commander also defending the border said it would have been impossible to build any fortifications because "Russians bomb the crap out of that area all the time".

Anti-tank mines would also have been relatively easy for foot soldiers to avoid, they said.

"But if we had the weapons we should have - even if we had five or six self-propelled Howitzers [an artillery weapon] - it could have a big difference," the soldier said, asking to remain anonymous.

"Imagine those troops that were filmed going across the paddock being decimated by some 150mm or 120mm [rounds fired by] Howitzers. It would be been much nicer to watch than watching them walk into Ukraine - that's for sure."

Asked whether Ukraine had been slow to build fortifications to defend the region, the governor said: "We have out our military units. We are strengthening our efforts in this area as well. Therefore, I emphasise that the situation is currently fully under control."

Yet, at the same time, he confirmed that the Russian assault was growing.

"Essentially, the frontline is expanding as the enemy is advancing from multiple positions," Mr Syniehubov told Sky News in an interview in the regional capital of Kharkiv city.

As for whether he thought that the slowness of allies in the West to resupply Ukrainian troops with weapons and ammunition had left Ukraine exposed, he said: "Yes."

He added: "We feel it, and our soldiers on the battlefield feel it. We have been conducting a defensive operation for practically six months, awaiting new supplies. And, of course, the enemy outweighs us in armaments - not in quality but in quantity."

Click to subscribe to the Sky News Daily wherever you get your podcasts

Russia sent thousands of troops into northeastern Ukraine as part of the new offensive - the most significant attack on Kharkiv since the start of the full-scale war in February 2022.

Back then, a Ukrainian counteroffensive pushed the Russians out a few months later but they never disappeared, with Russian troops instead targeting the region with artillery and missiles from their side of the border.

The new attack has prompted thousands of civilians to flee the largest border town of Vovchansk, as well as surrounding villages.

But there is so far no sign of panic in Kharkiv city, with the governor saying there was no need to order an evacuation.

Read more: Ukraine in 'difficult situation' as Russians claim nine villages Russian defence minister and long-time Putin ally to be replaced

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

At a checkpoint on the outskirts of the regional capital, local police and other officials on Sunday processed the papers of people who are fleeing from the border areas.

Volodymyr Tymoshko, the head of Kharkiv regional police, was at the checkpoint, having just returned from a visit to Vovchansk and confirmed that Russian forces were on the edge of the town.

"Vovchansk is suffering greatly from shelling right now," he said.

"I was just there literally 20 minutes ago. The town is almost destroyed. If this were to continue for several more days, there would be nothing left at all."

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

As for whether he was worried that the Russians would reach Kharkiv city, the police chief said: "Whether they can or cannot, it all depends solely on our defence forces, the armed forces, and on us... They will stop where they are stopped."

He added: "Generally, Russia will stop where it is stopped. If it doesn't stop in Ukraine, tomorrow it will be in Poland, Lithuania, Estonia, they will go further."

Related Topics