
In "On Immunity," Eula Biss brilliantly dissects our complex relationship with vaccines. Named one of 2014's best books by The New York Times and endorsed by Bill Gates, this spellbinding exploration asks: why do we fear protection more than disease itself?
Feel the book through the author's voice
Turn knowledge into engaging, example-rich insights
Capture key ideas in a flash for fast learning
Enjoy the book in a fun and engaging way
Break down key ideas from On Immunity into bite-sized takeaways to understand how innovative teams create, collaborate, and grow.
Distill On Immunity into rapid-fire memory cues that highlight Pixar’s principles of candor, teamwork, and creative resilience.

Experience On Immunity through vivid storytelling that turns Pixar’s innovation lessons into moments you’ll remember and apply.
Ask anything, pick the voice, and co-create insights that truly resonate with you.

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

Get the On Immunity summary as a free PDF or EPUB. Print it or read offline anytime.
The ancient story of Achilles reveals a pattern that resonates through millennia - parents will make desperate gambles to protect their children, yet can never fully shield them from fate. When my son was born during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, I crossed into a realm of fear I hadn't previously known. Suddenly, ordinary objects could kill and paranoia felt entirely normal. Lead paint, water contaminants, and even stagnant air joined influenza on my growing list of threats. As the pandemic intensified, a central question emerged among mothers: would we vaccinate our children? Heated debates raged in playgroups and online forums long before the H1N1 vaccine was available. Our language around vaccination reveals our deepest anxieties - we call it a "shot" or "jab," framing it as violence. Throughout history, vaccination has triggered fears of permanent marking - from the "mark of the beast" in the 19th century to modern fears of autism and immune dysfunction. Where our ancestors feared organic contamination like "blood of bats," today we fear chemicals - "the frickin' mercury, the aluminum." What's striking is how these fears persist despite overwhelming evidence of safety. We're caught in a paradox where the success of vaccines makes the diseases they prevent seem less threatening than the vaccines themselves.