This was one of the controversial books that I read/listened recently. For starter, the topic is really important where public shaming, online trollinThis was one of the controversial books that I read/listened recently. For starter, the topic is really important where public shaming, online trolling and cyberbullying became very ingrained in today's internet culture.
Through different stories of online shamed people, Jon Ronson brought back to the surface shame, despair, remorse and crushed lives of those who have been publicly shamed over twitter tweets and how their lives went through a twist (to the worse/indifference).
Now, what was the message delivered through this book? was it raising awareness towards this phenomenon and how it affects people's lives? Was it shaming these people again by digging the dirt and bringing these stories back to the first pages of Google search? was it yet a paid job to disgrace the disgraced? was it an alarm ringing in your head to be careful (self-censor) your activities online or have some moralities when you respond to un-sense/stupid/petty tweets that are only calling for attention/drama? you see, it's your call to pick and choose any of the above messages, however, it is a phenomenon worth studying and commenting on.
Whether it is on twitter or any social media platform, trolling and cyberbullying are dangerous activities that must be condemned and fought. Yes, the internet is a free space, we do fight for freedom of expression, free and open internet and even for net-neutrality, however, when people's fates and lives are at stake, you should think twice before you hit the reply button. I have noticed this a lot here at ŷ when reviewers review books. I have stopped reading many of my friends' reviews to books they disliked as those were a pure attack on writers without any respect or sense of responsibility. Crushing anyone's dreams are made easy and possible more than ever!
There is a big difference between criticism and critique, criticism is intended to express disapproval of someone's mistakes where critique is an assessment of something and that's what we are looking for. Everyone makes mistakes but we are turning into creatures incapable of forgiving or letting go. Racism and expressing arrogance and superiority based on race/gender/religion/beliefs are not acceptable. However, behaviors and actions are what should be shamed not people. Yes trolling and bullying is never a shining rainbow, however, you should not let go your morals and ethics as a response or reaction to some tweet.
The book has a bit of excessed profanity and cursing. Yes, Jon Ronson wanted to share stories and conversations as is, however, listening to this continuous cursing and profanity distracted me a lot and I ended up skipping some stories that have no impact on the morale of these stories.
Also, Ronson played on the borders between empathy and sympathy, morality and the right to respond, jumping between the extreme right and left that left me with unease during/after reading this book. Repeating certain stories and trying to deliver some messages was something I didn't like (being influenced by some of his own views regarding certain people), however, it was an effort that worth noting and reflecting on.
"The first step in the evolution of ethics is a sense of solidarity with other human beings" says Albert Schweitzer. One day, if we didn't fight this, you will be the subject of public shaming and be portrayed as a MEME on the internet! ...more
House M.D is one of my favorite shows that I've never felt bored watching it over and over again. The main theme of having a "hero" or a main c[image]
House M.D is one of my favorite shows that I've never felt bored watching it over and over again. The main theme of having a "hero" or a main character that is not perfect/mental/truthful and in fact an addicted Dr. on pain killers that walks using a cane and not afraid to be different or deviate from the main stream is very compelling!
This is my first experience with Audio books, I got it from audible.com and I was hesitant before joining it as I'm a booknerd that "paper_book_everything!" kinda mentality. I'm not new to listening or watching audio/video lectures, however, what I'm used to is that kind of interactive or storytelling approach that makes me interact with it on different mental levels. While audio books narrative is based on a single-theme or one-level monotone, it was a bit hard to relate at the beginning and accept until I was way through the book. Also, I found myself focusing on the content the most whenever I listened to it before sleeping where I'm not multi-tasking anymore!
Back to the book! It contains around 17 essays that was written from different researchers trying to analyze the psychological aspects of this series. It varied from very well-written and interesting articles to OK ones that discussed the ABC of psychology, addiction, manners, arrogance, brilliance, mockery, humor and how a single character/person demolish your pre-judgmental image of professionals who works under pressure or being scrutinized on a daily basis.
The interesting part from this whole book is that this is a light read that helps non-specialized interested people in psychology to read and relate to examples from their favorite TV shows. From House to Wilson to Cuddy to Chase and Cameron and Forman, it is very easy to relate to these topics while remembering events and scenes from the show.
The editors advised us at the very first page, "Take caution: you're about to enter the extraordinary mental universe of the brilliant, bombastic, bile-belching doctor of medicine referred to simply as House. How's that for a hook? No good? Okay, scratch that." ...more
I always have been fascinated by the work of Van Gogh, the strokes and the lines that are present in most of his paintings always made me feel [image]
I always have been fascinated by the work of Van Gogh, the strokes and the lines that are present in most of his paintings always made me feel that I have a connection with the artist. That he has something to tell me and that I understood him. However, as much as I loved his paintings, I had dreaded the brightness and golden colors in them. I always felt that these colors are screaming in my face, reminding me with the long hot noons in my village in Hebron where the sound of Cockroaches was very loud and the sunlight was very vivid and intense.
Van Gogh had a bipolar illness, and for those who are suffering from, or relatively know a thing or two about depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts can relate very much to why he ended up taking his own life.
It is not easy for people who suffers from mental health issues to talk or share what they go through with others, not to mention if they were respected academics and researchers who actually teach psychotherapy and work in the field. However, Kay Redfield Jamison had the courage and willpower to spill her heart out and share her journey with bipolar and its effects on her mental health, personal and professional life within these pages.
She says: [image]
For those who live with bipolar, or manic depression as it used to be called, life always lies between extremities. When the mood is high, they are ecstatic, fast talker, on the run, impulsively acting and life is bright and shining. The space inside their head is never enough, you can catch them walking and walking trying to dissolve the extra energy they are having. However, when depressed, life shuts its door in their faces, night is too long and insomnia becomes your best friend. Or as the poet says: can’t sleep; no light burns;
All round, darkness, irksome sleep. Only the monotonous Ticking of the clock, The old wives chatter of fate, Trembling of the sleeping night, Mouse-like scurrying of life... Why do you disturb me? What do you mean tedious whispers? Is it the day I have wasted Reproaching me or murmuring? What do you want from me? Are you calling me or prophesying? I want to understand you, I seek a meaning in you...
The biggest risk that accompanies this is suicide. As Kay herself, unable to cope with the hardships of her life, tried to kill herself with an overdose of her own meds. Science has proved that bipolar can be genetic by nature and hence, those who are living with this, has no control whatsoever over it and it is not easy for people who are not in their shoes to understand or feel what exactly they are going through.
[image] When Will Hunting saw this painting at Sean's office, he told him that "he linear and impressionistic mix makes a very muddled composition. It's also a Winslow Homer rip-off, except you got Whitey, uh, rowing the boat there. You just piss in your pants, you're cryin' for the harbors, and maybe you do what you gotta do to get out. Yeah, maybe you became a psychologist".
Empathy is not something easy to be given. However, if you love or care for those who suffers from bipolar, you can give them the slightest help which is understanding and caring. To understand, it is not easy to have your life swinging between creativity, madness and depression. It is not easy when manic episodes hit you hard, to cherish and find meaning in life. It is not that easy, when the only hope you can clinch to lies inside a Lithium or Xanax pill. And most important, Love, in whatever form given, means the whole life for them.
Thanks Kay for sharing this with us, it is really important to see life through your eyes, to understand and relate to those who suffer Bipolar disorder and try to help them cope with what life brought to their door....more
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