There is a reason why everybody hates moral philosophers. Fans of "The Good Place" will enjoy this book. It's written by the show's creator, exploringThere is a reason why everybody hates moral philosophers. Fans of "The Good Place" will enjoy this book. It's written by the show's creator, exploring many of the same philosophies in the show.
The book focuses on non-secular moral philosophy. Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Hume, Kant, J.S. Mills, Bentham, Singer (...the list goes on) are discussed. He also delves into existentialism/absurdism with a discussion of Camus and his contemporaries.
Do those names mean nothing to you? If so, you might want to pick up this book. Even though all those great philosophers are wrong (except maybe Camus?), their thoughts helped develop Western society.
It's a fun read, even for me... and I think the whole concept of "moral" philosophy is as dumb an idea as "reality TV" philosophy. At the least, you'll enjoy Schur's humor (but only about 1 out of 10 of his attempts). If you get the audiobook, it's narrated by the cast of "The Good Place."
Soapbox: Schur treats all schools of thought with dispassionate respect...except Objectivism. He admittedly doesn't get it and states he gave up reading about it (but can read Kant easily for some reason). He then criticizes it and uses ad hominem attacks against Ayn Rand for some reason to discredit it. Schur, if you are reading this (and you're not): It's all subjective. Rand is as right and wrong as Socrates... wait are you projecting anti-Objectivism ideas because you're in the Objectivism closet?
Ultimately, like every great moral philosopher, Schur doesn't give you any answers and says you are wrong. But whatever, morals are stupid and relative. Read the book. ...more
A definitive take on how cults or "cultish" groups use language to advance their interest. The author, Amanda Montell, interweaves victim, witness, anA definitive take on how cults or "cultish" groups use language to advance their interest. The author, Amanda Montell, interweaves victim, witness, and expert accounts, along with her own personal anecdotes and research to progress the narrative. Divided into six sections, the first section starts with understanding the language behind some of the most notorious cults, especially those that have a tragic end (Jonestown, Waco...). The subsequent sections each focus on cultish organizations, each lesser in severity than the last section, but generally more populous. The last few sections focus on multilevel marketing business and cultish fitness groups like Crossfit.
Montell is not on a crusade against cultish language. She explains why we are wired to fall under its influences, and how it's part of how we operate. This book's objective is to help the reader recognize what cultish language is, know how it can affect themselves and others, and when to know to walk away from it. Highly recommend it to all readers, especially those who prefer to read about contemporary, social science, or political issues. ...more
If you are looking for a challenging book on linguistics that tackles how language affects women, look elsewhere. Because this book is not challengingIf you are looking for a challenging book on linguistics that tackles how language affects women, look elsewhere. Because this book is not challenging at all.
Amanda Montell (a formally trained linguist) superbly communicates how the English language was shaped, used, and where it is going; examining it from a feminist perspective. The writing style is refreshing, somehow personal and academic... like having a friend tutor you in a new subject. It's also humorous, Montell's wit often helps illustrate examples. However, this less formal manner should not be confused for taking the matter lightly.
On a personal note: as a male reading this book, I got a lot out of it. I stopped a few times in introspection because as much as I like to think I'm aware of my biases and "on the right side" of things, I'm not always. A few of the author's examples clearly showed me where I was wrong, so I can say that book has affected my behavior for the better.
Reading the chapter titles should be enough for anybody to want to read this book, so here are some of my favorites:
- Chapter 1: Slutty Skank Hoes and Nasty Dykes: A Comprehensive List of Gendered Insults I Hate (But Also Kind of Love?) - Chapter 3: "Mm-hmm, Girl, You're Right": How Women Talk to Each Other When Dudes Aren't Around - Chapter 4: Women Didn't Ruin the English Language—They, Like, Invented It - Chapter 5: How to Embarrass the Shit Out of People Who Try to Correct Your Grammar - Chapter 6: How to Confuse a Catcaller (And Other Ways to Verbally Smash the Patriarchy) - Chapter 9: Time to Make This Book Just a Little Bit Gayer
A must-read for leaders. It might be uncomfortable and unconventional, but that's why you need to read this and understand....more
An unapologetic and intimate look at the American Caste system. Models of American society tend to highlight how race plays a significant role in relaAn unapologetic and intimate look at the American Caste system. Models of American society tend to highlight how race plays a significant role in relations between people. Wilkerson, argues it's not that simple. Often, focusing on race serves to obfuscate the issues of caste, a far more entrenched and difficult social problem to solve. Caste serves as a system to keep those with power in power, using tools such as race, lineage, or religion to secure the place of those on top.
"Caste is the bones, race the skin".
Wilkerson inspects American society and history using this model, comparing it to other notable caste systems in India and Nazi Germany. Seeing America as a caste system provides new perspectives and further deconstructs some revisionist history.
Throughout her narrative, she interjects anecdotes of her life as a black woman in America and her treatment as a member of the system's lowest caste. Her accounts strengthen the book; empathic readers will feel the sting of caste through her words.
Highly recommend to all readers striving to understand the world we live in and those who want to equip themselves with more ideas on how to better it. Fans of examining history from a new perspective will also enjoy it. The stories about Martin Luther King's time in India or Albert Einstein's advocation for Black people's rights are fascinating.
Each reader will likely get something different from the book, but they will be better for it.
Quotes:
"Caste is insidious and therefore powerful because it is not hatred, it is not necessarily personal. It is the worn grooves of comforting routines and unthinking expectations, patterns of a social order that have been in place for so long that it looks like the natural order of things."
"In debating 'how to institutionalize racism in the Third Reich,' wrote the Yale legal historian James Q. Whitman, 'they began by asking how the Americans did it.'"
"The hierarchy of caste is not about feelings or morality. It is about power"
"Slavery in this land was not merely an unfortunate thing that happened to black people. It was an American innovation, an American institution created by and for the benefit of the elites of the dominant caste and enforced by poorer members of the dominant caste who tied their lot to the caste system rather than to their consciences."
"What’s most disturbing about the Nazi phenomenon is not that the Nazis were madmen or monsters. It’s that they were ordinary human beings.”
"There is but one truly serious philosophical problem, and that is suicide."
Camus answers this statement in this essay and gets awarded the Nobel Pri"There is but one truly serious philosophical problem, and that is suicide."
Camus answers this statement in this essay and gets awarded the Nobel Prize for it. He takes the philosophy of French Existentialism to its extreme and arrives at Absurdism. Serious thought is put into the dilemma of continued existence, and this thought is difficult to follow. However, its conclusion is plain enough to understand: even without purpose, meaning, hope, god, a future... man should keep living.
Where this essay will likely fail for most contemporary readers is its constant reference to outside texts. Citations of works by other philosophers, religious books, or classical literature strengthen his arguments. The references obfuscate the way to the conclusion. Nevertheless, when distilled, the philosophy of this essay is profound.
Recommended to readers who enjoy philosophical essays, recommend looking at the Wikipedia entirely for others.
There are many, many interesting quotes in this essay. Here are some that do not require much context:
"We get into the habit of living before acquiring the habit of thinking."
"there is no truth, but merely truths."
"All things are not explained by one thing but by all things."
"There, too, there are several ways of committing suicide, one of which is the total gift and forgetfulness of self."
"A fate is not a punishment."
"I leave Sisyphus at the foot of the mountain! One always finds one's burden again. But Sisyphus teaches the higher fidelity that negates the gods and raises rocks. He too concludes that all is well. This universe henceforth without a master seems to him neither sterile nor futile."
An informative, but bias picture of the addiction some suffer from pornography. Its central premise is that pornography addiction is a real thing, eveAn informative, but bias picture of the addiction some suffer from pornography. Its central premise is that pornography addiction is a real thing, even if not officially recognized by some medical experts or sex-positive activist. Beyond the studies it discusses, both the ones that affirm its conclusion and don't, there is a heavy reliance on personal stories about addiction and recovery.
Some of the scientific explanations of body chemistry, similarities with other addictions, and the rise in sexual dysfunction in young men are eye-opening. At times the book feels like more of a self-help book than a discussion, and other times it delves too deeply in defending its premise. Even with these faults, it is worth reading for its target demographic (young men) or anyone interested in the subject....more
Am I a Racist? No. Is that enough? No. Am I an Antiracist? I am now.
Kendi's book is an in-depth exploration of the concept of race, from its roots in sAm I a Racist? No. Is that enough? No. Am I an Antiracist? I am now.
Kendi's book is an in-depth exploration of the concept of race, from its roots in slavery to its present branches of discrimination. His account is partially biographical, using his experiences to illuminate ideas, define words he has learned, and then relearned. Each chapter begins with terms and definitions and expands into his narrative. Subjects covered are broad (power, biology, capitalism, ethnicity, culture, sexuality, gender, color, success).
Hearing the author speaking on television and not liking his, what I mistakenly thought, militant attitude on race, I purchased this book as part of my "outside of my comfort zone" genre. These are usually books I do not want to read but will give a chance because they have buzz. They are also books I think will be a waste of time (in this case because I was already "not racist", what else do I need to learn?). But every once in awhile I read something so different, it changes me. This is one of those books.
This book helped me realize my thoughts on race had stagnated. What I mistakenly thought was a full understanding of this issue, was in reality, understanding just what I was comfortable with. I started reading before the death of George Floyd, and after his death, reading each word weighed heavier. The concepts explored in this book did not ring hollow, but my old thoughts on race did.
Change does not happen overnight in an entire population, but it can happen overnight in an individual. Reading and applying this book are my first steps toward change. I implore everybody to read this book, especially those who label themselves as "not racist" and see no gain from this book. You can be better; You can do better.
Some quotes:
The language of color blindness—like the language of “not racist”—is a mask to hide racism.
The defining question is whether the discrimination is creating equity or inequity. If discrimination is creating equity, then it is antiracist.
The only remedy to racist discrimination is antiracist discrimination.
In my first course with Mazama, she lectured on Asante’s contention that objectivity was really “collective subjectivity.” She concluded, “It is impossible to be objective.”
Written by a former addict turned neuroscientist, the author uses her experience as a vehicle to explain the science of addiction. She makes a compellWritten by a former addict turned neuroscientist, the author uses her experience as a vehicle to explain the science of addiction. She makes a compelling case for those affected, and her first-hand view of the subject is poignant. The science is very dense and difficult to understand. However, it's not cumulative. Not understanding some parts will not make the rest of the book unreadable. The book has a strong start, but requires an effort on the reader's part to keep going, although worth it. I highly recommend to anyone interested in the science of addiction.
"The opposite of addiction, I have learned, is not sobriety but choice."...more
A sobering read, likely to spark introspection in most readers. The central premise being:
"He who has a why to live for can bear with almost any how.
A sobering read, likely to spark introspection in most readers. The central premise being:
"He who has a why to live for can bear with almost any how."
A quote Frankl attributes to the philosopher Nietzsche, who is often associated with the philosophy of nihilism. Nihilism is the antithesis of Frankl's school of thought that finding meaning in one's life, even if that meaning is suffering, is the purpose of one's existence. Not power or pleasure as others argue.
There is no power or pleasure in the first two-thirds of the narrative, it's Frankl's auto-biographical account of his years spent in a concentration camp. Stripped of everything, he found a way to endure, a way to find meaning in his suffering, and a reason to live. His intimate knowledge of suffering is almost zen-like in its dispensation. A lot of his ideas on psychology stem from his time as a prisoner.
The last part of the book is a discussion of "logotherapy." This is Frankl's school of psychotherapy, rooted in finding meaning in one's existence. He discusses its principles more formally and cites examples of his patients recovering from its use.
Overall, it's a disjointed book; medical text, philosophy, and biography. Subjective science, if you will, not to discredit it or discourage its reading. For all it's flaws (and what seem to be contradictions), it's a book that will leave most critical readers changed.
Some quotes:
Life is not primarily a quest for pleasure, as Freud believed, or a quest for power, as Alfred Adler taught, but a quest for meaning.
I think it was Lessing who once said, “There are things which must cause you to lose your reason or you have none to lose.”
If there is a meaning in life at all, then there must be a meaning in suffering. Suffering is an ineradicable part of life, even as fate and death. Without suffering and death human life cannot be complete.
In some way, suffering ceases to be suffering at the moment it finds a meaning, such as the meaning of a sacrifice.
That is why I recommend that the Statue of Liberty on the East Coast be supplemented by a Statue of Responsibility on the West Coast.
American history, as told from the perspective of the entire domain of power and population. This book recalibrates traditional US history through theAmerican history, as told from the perspective of the entire domain of power and population. This book recalibrates traditional US history through the eyes of non-white, non-mainland, and non-powerful Americans. The book is separated into three sections; initial westward expansion, territorial gains through war, and World War 2 and modern globalism.
The first section of the book discusses the plight of the Native Americans and the pioneers settling the frontier. It makes the mistreatment of the indigenous people a point of fact and introduces some not so well known episodes of how badly they were treated. However, it does not dwell on this. Instead the author states this section of the book is to explain how America developed its imperial policies in its treatment of new lands and people.
The second section explores imperial America in its heyday. This is when the empire expanded to include Alaska, Guam, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, parts of Cuba, Philippines, and other territories — making all these lands and people American. It discusses the seldom talked about concentration camps in Alaska, where 10% of the natives died. The targeted sterilization, experimentation, and murder of Puerto Ricans by mainland doctors to help the "population problem". It explains how the US allied with Philippine's independence army to win the Spanish-American war then turned on this very allies.
The final section discusses how the idea of empire has changed since World War 2. How, with the advent of airpower, vast territories are no longer required for the reach of empire. The author focuses on military power projection and the "pointillist empire" the US now is. How the US treated Japan and other counties it occupied after the war, especially its territories.
Highly recommend this book to anybody interested in expanding their views of American history. It is a sobering account that is an essential perspective to help both complete the picture of America and understand how history is presented.
Regardless of how history is written, it is always revisionist. This book seeks to revise it with the account of the American people that were forgotten. ...more
Sinek adeptly explains how organizations that play to win aren't playing the game right. You cannot win business. You cannot win life. There is no winSinek adeptly explains how organizations that play to win aren't playing the game right. You cannot win business. You cannot win life. There is no winning in an infinite game.
Many leaders choose not to understand this. They run their businesses like they are in a finite game, as if winning is the goal. They do this by focusing on short term earnings, "moonshots", or some other purpose which they surround with impressive meaningless platitudes. With the rise of Milton Friedman's almost religious fervor to please shareholders, this myopic point of view has become the standard (and justification for ethical lapses).
Sinek proposes leaders should have a "just cause" that motivates them, not metrics of growth, profit, or dominance. This just cause is not an end goal...in fact, it's an unachievable goal. Achievable end goals are for those who are playing a finite game.
His discussions about the dangers of ethical fading in finite minded organizations gave me pause to reconsider my organization. As soon as I did, I saw cracks in a foundation I thought reliable. But seeing the cracks and being honest about them is the first step to fixing them.
Books by Simon Sinek always give me hope for the world, not because they have the answers to the world's problems, but because they argue there are answers to the world's questions. We just have to work together to find them.
I highly recommend this book to everybody, because everybody is a leader, and can become a better one. ...more
In this engaging and a slightly disillusioning book, the author's central thesis is that objective reality does not exist. Perception is not reality.
In this engaging and a slightly disillusioning book, the author's central thesis is that objective reality does not exist. He argues that human senses do not detect truth or reality, but only "fitness payoffs." The conscious experience is shaped by all senses not to accurately depict reality, but to create an interface to more easily perceive what produces the best probability of survival.
For example, let's say you are looking at a computer screen streaming the outside world on it; on your screen, you see a vivid world of colors. This mode showing color information is just one mode the camera operates in, it can also operate in other manners. Let's say you switch to a mode that shows you the infrared (IR) spectrum of light. What do you see now? You no longer see colors, but IR or heat information of objects.
Now let's say you switch modes again to a mode that only shows you blue objects that are also hot. On your screen, you will only see hot blue objects, other colors, or cold objects are omitted. It is easy to say that this mode of camera operation is not depicting reality. However, by that same logic, the same can be said for the vivid color or heat signature modes too. These camera modes are just pumping information to us to help us perceive what we request, not to actually see reality.
In this example, the computer screen is an interface with the world, it is not actually the world. It is not depicting reality, but information; be it color, heat signature, or hot blue objects. The author argues that our conscious experience is just an interface, not reality. The camera in the example was set to a mode to show us hot blue objects. The camera we use to create our conscious experience is set to a mode that shows us only the information that helps us survive. What we perceive from this interface is not information on reality, but "fitness."
A compelling argument is made for the evolutionary advantages of organisms seeing "fitness" instead of reality. In this theory, an organism that sees raw truth or reality is disadvantaged compared to one that perceives fitness. Would an animal rather process the entirety of information on a predator as it is about to be attacked, or just quicky process the information telling it to run?
The author explains this idea elegantly, using human standards of beauty, neuroscience, and quantum-mechanics to further his claims. All of this is done with mathematical and scientific rigor. But when the existence of space and time are called into question, what use is either?
This is the main issue many readers will have with the author's premise; this theory destroys the current framework used to explain reality. The author argues that the current framework does not fully explain reality anyways, mainly because the current framework assumes space-time is fundamental. In the author's way of thinking, space-time is not necessary; it does not exist.
The discussion is exciting and strays into pseudo-science towards the end of the book, however, to not bring up some of the philosophical (or religious) considerations this theory points to would be a glaring omission. The author's discussion of quantum theory is fascinating, as observation or preception in quantum theory affects outcomes (this is scientifically proven, but mostly unexplained).
Highly recommend to anyone who enjoys thinking about existential topics, philosophy, or the scientific method. If you are still not sure, here is the author's TED talk. It gives a good introduction to the idea:
Post Script: The Audible audiobook does not come with a PDF of the illustrations referenced in the book. I've contacted audible, and they are working on fixing this. I have the e-book as well and can say the figures are useful to understand some of the concepts in the book....more
An extremely solid, well researched, and eye-opening analysis of bias in data collection with respect to women. Highly recommend to all readers, especAn extremely solid, well researched, and eye-opening analysis of bias in data collection with respect to women. Highly recommend to all readers, especially men, and even more so to leaders in any field (regardless of their sex). Criado-Pérez presents an onslaught of data clearly demonstrating inherent inequities in many spheres of life, all of which can easily be overcome by including women in the design and data collection process.
She highlights the issues with data that is currently available, as a lot of it is not gender-disaggregated or disregards female data points altogether. This is especially alarming in certain areas, such as drug trials, where subjects are almost exclusively male, leading to many issues with proper dosage and side-effects. Similarly, most automobile crash test dummies are only required to model the male body, disregarding both the average difference in size and seating posture for female drivers.
Attempts to fix inequality problems are also discussed, as some leaders will blindly "make thing equal" in a noble effort to make things better. This might seem like a perfect solution, but often the bias against women is actually increased by doing this; as men and women have different bodies and needs. Her example of how an organization trying to make things more equal by making all their bathrooms gender-neutral, only ended up significantly increasing average female wait times and slightly decreasing male wait times is an excellent illustration of this. Similarly, she explains how this "equalization" has happened in other fields, such as university tenure, job promotions, and paid maternity/paternity leave.
Finally, she addresses the technique of having women try to emulate the male standard to get ahead, "lean in" if you will. She explains how this is both futile for women in the long run, and detrimental to both the woman and the organization she is part of. Women should not be trying to emulate male behaviors to get ahead in a flawed system; the system is what needs to be fixed, not the women.
Definitely a worthwhile read or audiobook, and certainly epiphany invoking for at least 50% the population, including this male reader....more
The author, Chris Voss, is a former FBI hostage negotiation expert and builds his negotiation techniques using both experience and theory. It's a short and well-organized read, plus it's fun. Anecdotes about Voss' experiences are both educational, entertaining, and reinforce lessons.
Applying the principles in this book will likely make you a better negotiator; more importantly, reading this book may help you realize what a good negotiation is. Highly recommend to all readers. ...more
A very brief look at how the structure of modern society is a major cause of a lot of mental health issues faced by the population; particularly thoseA very brief look at how the structure of modern society is a major cause of a lot of mental health issues faced by the population; particularly those in professions that are close to violence. The lack of community when returning home being a key factoring in preventing proper adjustment to peacetime society for many veterans and the increasing prevalence of PTSD.
Junger makes some great points, and his historical examples are fascinating. But I can't help but feel that he romanticises the idea of war while making the case that its absence in our society has a detrimental effect on the community. That might be true, but this short book does not go much further than pointing out the problem.
However, I'm not looking for a solution; I was looking for was a question. Is it worth it? Is this non-tribal civilization of relative comfort and security enjoyed by most, worth the mental health of a few? I'd like to think so. ...more
In the who, what, when, where, and why of behavioral economics and sciences, I never realized how little the "when" is considered. Pink highlights thiIn the who, what, when, where, and why of behavioral economics and sciences, I never realized how little the "when" is considered. Pink highlights this deficiency and argues that when something is done, is just as important as how or what is being done.
He makes some great, data-driven conclusions about the best time in the day to be productive, to be creative, and to take a nap. He also delves into other types of time, such as when to be the first applicant to interview or last, when to start a new venture, and when to end others.
I had two concerns with this book, it's duration and some of the examples used to validate claims. The duration of this book is pretty small, and a lot of it seems to be stretched out... A well crafted TED talk could get you about 80% of the relevant information from this book in a fraction of the time.
The second concern is more dubious: when using research to validate a claim, confounding factors (that may or may not help the author's point) should be pointed out to maintain the integrity of the book. One example the author discusses is that Judges tend to be more punitive in sentencing around midday, which corresponds to the author's theory that most people go through a rough time during the midday. But the author does not mention that the judges might just be hungry and that caused them to be more punitive.
Regardless, quick read, with some interesting and useful ideas. My favorite being the "Nappuccino". Fun read, most will get something out of this. ...more
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