An occasional compilation of freely available articles and posts on science, medicine, anthropology and society—broadly conceived. If you have suggestions please send an email to somatosphere at gmail dot com.

Writing about illness: At Bookforum Wendey Lesser reviews two memoirs about illness; The Two Kinds of Decay by Sarah Manguso and A Journey Round my Skull by Frigyes Karinthy.

Contagious: Amanda Schaffer reviews this critical and historical account of the “outbreak narrative” in contemporary culture by Priscilla Wald.

Ask the expert: American Scientist speaks to sociologist of science Harry Collins about expertise.

Science warrior: More than a decade after his infamous hoax, Alan Sokal has published a book compilation of articles surrounding the case, reviewed here by Simon Blackburn.

“Viral sovereignty”: This isn’t the latest title from Duke UP (yet), but an apparent attempt by states to claim viruses as property. Richard Holbrooke and Laurie Garrett opine.

Iatrogenesis: A New Yorker article on the increasing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria by Jerome Groopman.

Treating sloth: Christopher Turner on early 20th century attempts to cure fatigue.

Freud and faith: Patrick Lee Miller considers psychoanalysis as a form of spirituality on the SSRC’s blog, Immanent Frame.

The antisocialite: Dennis Seguin writes about life with an Asberger’s child in the Walrus.

Mind on the brain: Charles Barber on the limitations of biological psychiatry.