Day 25

Sociology is basically the study of everything social—which means it’s huge. Because of that, sociologists usually focus on specific areas they’re passionate about. For example, Daniel Jaffee is known as an environmental sociologist. You can really see that in his book Unbottled: The Fight Against Plastic Water and for Water Justice, where he takes something as everyday as bottled water and shows it’s way more than just a drink—it’s part of a bigger system shaped by power, money, and access.

Sociologists don’t just look at things on the surface. They see society as a bunch of connected systems that influence how we live, what we believe, and even what we have access to. In Jaffee’s case, he’s especially interested in how those systems affect something super basic: water. He is particularly interested in the commodification of water. That’s why his work sits at the intersection of sociology and environmental studies—it’s about both people and the planet.

One thing sociologists love to do? Ask tough questions. And yeah, they’re tough because the world is complicated—people have different experiences, different beliefs, and different ideas about what’s “fair” or “right.” But that’s exactly what makes it interesting. For sociologists, digging into those messy questions isn’t frustrating—it’s the whole point.