It's interesting to see the early negative reviews - virtually all from the dank corners of the left that are offering such innovate ideas like degrowIt's interesting to see the early negative reviews - virtually all from the dank corners of the left that are offering such innovate ideas like degrowth, focus on identity politics, and weird versions of NIMBYism. Oh, and stating that the ideas in the book have a carbon problem (LoL). Luckily Klein and Thompson offer a positive forward looking set of ideas by focusing on what hasn't worked to date which is a breath of fresh air given the stasis of the progressives in recent history. ...more
This very short (3 hour) dialogue between Sandel and Piketty is interesting in a way that a pretty good podcast is enlightening. It was already availaThis very short (3 hour) dialogue between Sandel and Piketty is interesting in a way that a pretty good podcast is enlightening. It was already available on YouTube in 20 min segments so to release it in audiobook form and have different audio-narrators read the transcript was odd. Still, engaging conversation. ...more
In a lecture I watched with Soll, he complained that he was being review-bombed by some of the GMU folks - I gave a quick perusal and only saw the ReaIn a lecture I watched with Soll, he complained that he was being review-bombed by some of the GMU folks - I gave a quick perusal and only saw the Reason dude give their usual free-market spiel. Regardless, I enjoyed this 'alternative take' on markets and the quite deep historical aspects that Soll was able to highlight here. ...more
A bit disappointed here - likely this was at attempt to provide a cliff notes version of his other more insightful work, but the material was too thinA bit disappointed here - likely this was at attempt to provide a cliff notes version of his other more insightful work, but the material was too thin to work effectively as compared to the other more outstanding work from Piketty. ...more
This was so prescient in looking at outcome of the '24 election cycle, not being of course the only reason but certainly a large contributor to HarrisThis was so prescient in looking at outcome of the '24 election cycle, not being of course the only reason but certainly a large contributor to Harris' loss. And much said here definitely needed to be said and more importantly heard by those on the left side of the ledger. ...more
Naturally when a title winds up on the 100 greatest books of the 21st century, a benefit is that the library will obtain a copy as interest has been pNaturally when a title winds up on the 100 greatest books of the 21st century, a benefit is that the library will obtain a copy as interest has been piqued. However, it baffles me as to how this tedious and somewhat shallow profile of a 'troubled' young woman could possibly have attained this ranking. Cough this up to the power of meme and follow-the-trend of what others say. How can this possibly be the highest ranking work of non-fiction in this list given the plethora of such superior works of non-fiction to choose from?!? Granted, if you want to make your way through this micro-study of the trials and tribulations of a broken home and poor education and pat yourself on the back that you've empathized with the down trodden, more power to you. It's overly long and in serious need of editing. ...more
This was odd in that kept waiting for the redemption arc, but it never arrived. The one where the author was going to tell the reader that she joined This was odd in that kept waiting for the redemption arc, but it never arrived. The one where the author was going to tell the reader that she joined the Millionaires for Humanity, but instead she just kind of sails into the sunset on her multi-year long expat vacation to Barcelona. Yes, the rich are different than you and me - they have a lot of money. Some, like the author, get very bent out of shape when they receive a smaller than expected engagement diamond (really, this whole passage was terrible). Others, like her husband, actually sound like they try to help with all of their wealth. I don't know why this book exists, other than to hear how one came to accept having maids and personal assistants with their copious amounts of wealth. I don't think Risher is a terrible person - her husband at least sounds like he wants to do some good in the world. But not sure what the purpose of this was. ...more
There’s a growing library of explaining the MAGA phenomenon with varying levels of success. Though not the definitive tome on this population, this doThere’s a growing library of explaining the MAGA phenomenon with varying levels of success. Though not the definitive tome on this population, this does seem to hit a lot of the defining characteristics. As with many of these works, it does feel a bit unfair to use such a broad brush, but the results of voting against one’s personal interests for so long does speak to an established trend. As with any modern work in this area it has to overplay its hand on all of the virtue signaling points which is always tedious. However, though I really enjoyed the rant about pickup trucks as it brought a bit of levity to the discussion, it hits home as I dread trying to buy my next vehicle given how ridiculous the prices and specs have become. (Also, I see that the book was likely brigaded with negative reviews by a mob (from Truth Social, LoL), so I'll likely up my own rating to try to even things out.) ...more
The personal coverage and broader picture that Nolan shows here is quite impressive and does much to explain worker rights, meagre as they are, in theThe personal coverage and broader picture that Nolan shows here is quite impressive and does much to explain worker rights, meagre as they are, in the US. In Germany as an American I am automatically protected and under the care of a works council which is viewed as a necessity here and not a hindrance to business interests. Meanwhile, in the US Nolan shows what has been lost and not imagined and what could be gained in coalescing workers� voices. It’s sad what he shows about labor leader in the AFL-CIO and others protecting their sinking turf. As he says in the final chapter, ‘Ten percent of the workforce ain’t gonna cut it in a world of trillion-dollar corporations. We will organize more people, or we will anticlimactically with away.� ...more
Overall a bit conflicted on this one: Varoufakis ends the book very weakly falling into Žižek’s often repeated saying about ‘yes, but what about the dOverall a bit conflicted on this one: Varoufakis ends the book very weakly falling into Žižek’s often repeated saying about ‘yes, but what about the day after reform or revolution?� Varoufakis gives vague excuses as to why he can’t address this and it’s a major oversight. On his assessment of the ‘cloudalists�, it’s not as much of a leap from what is already in place. His other general insights are informative and I found myself highlighting quite a few passages in the book but his insights aren’t expressed better and more fully elsewhere.
While I don’t really want to stan for Bill Gates of all people, some of the criticism here feels a bit overdone. While totally in sync that we should While I don’t really want to stan for Bill Gates of all people, some of the criticism here feels a bit overdone. While totally in sync that we should not have our health, Ag or science policies dictated by one overreaching individual, one does have to cut some slack that it’s better Bill than some of his other sociopathic peers. Although that's little solace for what looks like the next crop of Billionaires coming down the pike. ...more
A major mea culpa in admitting that I actually kind of liked Principles and was taken in with some of the things Dalio laid out. But I guess it just gA major mea culpa in admitting that I actually kind of liked Principles and was taken in with some of the things Dalio laid out. But I guess it just goes to show how he can pull the wool over many people’s eyes. Copeland does a great job removing the Emperor’s clothes here to show yet another billionaire as nothing more than a childish sociopath. Working at Bridgewater sounds like a time spent in hell and makes Scientology sound logical in comparison. One wonders how they made any money at all, but of course the vaunted 2 and 20 model shows that one just needs to be right some of the time in order to reap huge rewards. ...more
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