New links of interest to those interested in philosophy…

1. “Humans are natural conformists” and because of this, “individuality, each nugget of genuine idiosyncrasy that is successfully maintained, is a precious achievement worth defending” — Don Ross (Cork) interviewed on the philosophy of economics, individualisms, minds, and more
2. With the move online, “the web of informal connections that’s sustained on campus” is gone, but there are some things professors can do for students to make up for this — Greg Restall (Melbourne) shares what he has done
3. Diversity in philosophy vs. the strong barriers put up by “the prestige economy of academia” — Barry Lam (Vassar/Hi-Phi Nation) with a thoughtful analysis of the obstacles to broadening philosophy
4. The world’s oldest philosophy major just graduated. 96 years old, he was first in his class with top honors. — “I’ve finally realized my dream,” said former railway worker and WW2 veteran Giuseppe Paternò (via John Bogart)
5. A student’s path from philosophy to work as a tech analyst and now to studying artificial intelligence — there are “a lot of touch points” between philosophy and the tech world, says Iva Simon Bubalo
6. We should “learn to relish the fruits of idleness” — Max Hayward (Sheffield) on leisure, education, and the “tedium of lockdown”
7. Australasian philosophers on the pandemic — a bibliography of recent public-facing work

Mini-Heap posts appear when 7 or so new items accumulate in the Heap of Links, the ever-growing collection of items from around the web that may be of interest to philosophers. Discussion welcome.

The Heap of Links consists partly of suggestions from readers; if you find something online that you think would be of interest to the philosophical community, please send it in for consideration for the Heap. Thanks!