What We Are Reading Today: ‘Ghost Sharks’

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Updated 18 January 2026
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What We Are Reading Today: ‘Ghost Sharks’

Authors: David A. Ebert, Jenny M. Kemper, Brittany Finucci, Dominique A. Didier, and Marc Dando

Ghost sharks, also known as chimaeras, are cartilaginous fish related to sharks and rays sharing a common ancestor dating back some 400 million years.

These extraordinary fish are found in virtually every ocean on the planet, and while a few inhabit coastal waters, most live at depths that can make them incredibly difficult to study and observe.

This comprehensive reference book covers every known species of chimaera to date. 


What We Are Reading Today: ‘Island in the Net’ by Steffen Kohn

Updated 11 February 2026
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What We Are Reading Today: ‘Island in the Net’ by Steffen Kohn

Until just a few years ago, Cuba was one of the least-connected countries in the world. But as digital technology has become increasingly available, Cubans have found inventive ways to work around such remaining barriers as slow speeds, high costs, and inadequate infrastructure.

In “Island in the Net,” Steffen Kohn examines Cuba’s nascent digital culture and how it has reconfigured the relationship between the state and its citizens.

Each chapter is accompanied by a multimodal anthropology work: a video game, interactive installations, video art, and an ethnographic documentary.