I find this concept of the "history of emotions" unconvincing on so many levels. Between the mind-body problem and our coarse understanding of the brain, it's h

I find this concept of the "history of emotions" unconvincing on so many levels. Between the mind-body problem and our coarse understanding of the brain, it's hard enough to talk sensibly about emotions in the present. That language changes and new words are invented is hardly evidence that the spectrum of human emotions (and where we lie on it) has undergone a fundamental shift. The problem space here is complex, mysterious, and rife with opportunities to conflate the map and the territory. The authors are exploiting this confusion to sell a pre-determined narrative about social media which, while great for Vox articles and Ted talks, doesn't actually offer any new knowledge.