seeing the world differently

Michelle Shir-Wise

About Michelle

Michelle Shir-Wise, Phd, is a sociologist and author with a passion for exploring hidden narratives and cultural norms that shape our beliefs and actions. Her work offers thought-provoking insights into social issues with a focus on broadening our understanding of the world and ourselves. From examining the way we perceive and use our time, to questions about truth, readers are encouraged to embrace a more critical approach to the taken-for-granted assumptions in everyday life.

My forthcoming book: Everybody Knows That

The book asks why we believe what we believe, how we decide what matters, and how much of our thinking is really our own. It explores these questions through a range of contemporary issues, from health and parenting to social media and AI.

QUOTE OF THE MONTH

The crucial differences which distinguish human societies and human beings are not biological. They are cultural. Ruth Benedict

SUBSCRIBE FOR UPDATES

Discover the world through words
My Blog

When AI Answers, How Do We Know?

We are getting used to asking machines questions. Not just practical questions, like how to fix a setting on a phone or plan a route, but more personal and complicated ones. What should I eat? How should I respond? Is this symptom serious? Why do I feel this way? What does this article really mean? Is this source reliable? Not long ago, when we wanted to know something, we usually had some sense of where the answer came from. We might ask a teacher, open a book, search online

Buy Your Self: What Advertisements Really Sell

Advertisements are everywhere, from television screens to social media feeds, offering far more than products. They sell ideas about who we should aspire to become. In many ways, they quietly shape our sense of what is desirable, normal, and worthy. Many of the ideas I explore in my forthcoming book, Everybody Knows That, began with my research on representations of the self in prime-time television advertising. What fascinated me was not simply how advertisements sell produc

Free Time: Islands of Freedom?

Contemporary life can feel like being caught in a current that pulls us in every direction. Whether at work or at home, we often struggle to keep our heads above water. Sometimes we manage to stay afloat; other times we feel we’re drowning in a stormy ocean of duties. In those moments, all we wish for is calm waters. Amid this sea of commitments and time pressure, we imagine islands of freedom , those precious hours we call “free time.” While much of our day is governed by e

Unraveling the Social Fabric

Exploring Cultural Perspectives In today's interconnected world, it is more important than ever to embrace and understand the diverse...

Unlocking the Mind

Challenging Societal Beliefs In a world where societal norms and beliefs are deeply ingrained, it is crucial to question and challenge...

Seeing is believing

Deepfakes: How AI is Reshaping our Perception Artificial intelligence (AI) has become an integral part of our lives, from chat GPT or...

My work

Here you can find a selection of some of my work. Feel free to get in touch to learn more.

BOOKS

Forthcoming:

EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT: Questioning What We Accept as Truth

Turner Publishing, May 2027

Why do we believe what we believe? How do we decide what matters? And how much of our thinking is really our own?

In Everybody Knows That, I explore the cultural influences that shape what we accept as true, worthy and normal. Through issues ranging from health and parenting to social media and AI, the book invites readers to question familiar assumptions and see everyday life differently.

Time, Freedom and the Self: The Cultural Construction of "Free" Time. Palgrave Macmillan.

How free is our “free time”? This book explores how cultural expectations shape the way we spend and experience our free time and what this reveals about our ideas of happiness, freedom and who we should be.

ARTICLES

Melting time and confined leisure under COVID-19 lockdown

The productive self and conspicuous busyness in “free” time

Services

As a a writer, lecturer, researcher, and passionate advocate for education and social issues, I offer lectures and workshops that help individuals and groups understand the world around them. Whether you are a teacher, organization, or company seeking to deepen your insights and understanding of complex societal issues, my workshops offer a unique and insightful approach that is backed by years of experience in research and teaching. Contact me today to schedule a session and learn more.

Screenshot 2025-02-24 at 1.21_edited.jpg

Lectures

Join me on an insightful journey about freedom and time use.
Share my research on how media impacts our lives.
Explore questions about truth in in a world of AI advancements.
Join me as we delve into the cultural scripts of gender.
Investigate the complexities of ageism.

31096F9C-2B4C-48CD-B4EC-AC0AE8FD73F2_1_201_a_edited.jpg

Workshops

Dive deep into the realm of time management and acquire practical skills to enhance your efficiency without stress.
Participate in stimulating discussions about the influence of media on our beliefs and values.
Join workshops that address ageism and what shapes our conceptions.
Explore cultural scripts of gender and discuss tools to combat sexism.