**spoiler alert** Actiunea se petrece in Algeria undeva dupa al doilea razboi mondial.
Protagonistul este un tanar francez care este instrainat total d**spoiler alert** Actiunea se petrece in Algeria undeva dupa al doilea razboi mondial.
Protagonistul este un tanar francez care este instrainat total de societate , am putea spune un sociopat.
Nu isi plange mama aflat la priveghiul ei , nu simte nici o remuscare atunci cand omoara un arab , fapt ce il va trimite la inchisoare , loc unde din nou nimic.
Perspectiva este deosebit de interesanta , omul nostru intelege ce ar simti altii in situatia lui , dar el e sterp , se plictiseste atunci cand este interogat cu privire la conditia sa de prieteni, cunoscuti , preoti si mai tarziu in timpul procesului pentru omor de catre procuror si judecator.
Oamenii nu pot intelege/concepe ca exista astfel de semeni , oameni complet functionali care se pot integra total in societate dar care nu simt nimic.
Am putea spune ca protagonistul este idealul filozofiei stoice, filozofie ce pune accent pe detasare de cele lumesti , fie ele bune sau rele, pe acceptare/impacare cu tot ce vine in directia noastra...cu totii stim cat de greu ne este sa realizam acest lucru...personajul din acest roman face acest lucru natural.
Mi-a placut foarte mult locatia si perioada. Am ramas surprins ca intr-un loc precum Algeria existau atatea servicii sociale si institutii care functionau cum trebuie (inclusiv hingheri)....more
**spoiler alert** Dezamagitor ! Am pornit inflacarat , crezand ca voi asista la un adevarat spectacol contrarian, ca toate cutumele si valorile traditi**spoiler alert** Dezamagitor ! Am pornit inflacarat , crezand ca voi asista la un adevarat spectacol contrarian, ca toate cutumele si valorile traditionale insuflate de-a lungul vietii imi vor fi spulberate.
Cartea a inceput binisor , desfiintand curentele filozofice anterioare cu precadere stoicismul , explicand ca omul ar trebui lasat condus de impulsuri de simturi , caci asta este tot ceea ce este autentic in el , sa nu incerce sa isi infraneze nimic si ca filozoful stoic indeamna catre solitudine , modestie si cumpatare , tocmai fiindca asta este viata la care a fost el obligat, faptul ca a fost privat de tocmai resursele catre care isi exprima inversunarea
Foarte interesant faptul ca in viziunea lui Nietsche un filosof stoic precum Epicur indeamna catre o viata solitara si modesta , cumpatata tocmai fiindca el nu a prins publicului , nu a stiut sa se vanda , astfel el s-a lasat prada vanitatii si singur s-a indepartatat de toti si toate , scriind inversunat din orgoliu fata de filozofii vremii lui care nu au dus astfel de lipsuri.
Dupa aceasta introducere relativ buna a urmat un calvar de cel putin 120-150 pagini in care a batut campii , a adus in discutie curente moderne si trecute , conditia filozofului, dar nu am sesizat nimic concret , nici o idee tangibila ... Nu am reusit sa inteleg care este filozofia sa , si ce anume profeseaza in aceasta carte.
Cartea a mai avut cateva idei interesante cu privire la conditia femeii. Faptul ca aceasta a cautat sa capete drepturi si sa ajunga sa se "bata" de la egal la egal cu barbatul, a ajuns in societatea moderna sa se degradeze , tocmai pentru ca daruri precum viclenia , cochetaria , feminitatea , imaginatia nu au fost niciodata vazute cu dispret de barbat , ba dimpotriva.
La final a s-a vorbit destul de mult despre spiritul german si cum se compara acesta cu cel francez sau englez.
Per total nu am simtit ca am reusit sa il asociez cu o idee , cu o viziune a lumii unificata. Am citit foarte multe vorbe aruncate in vant care nu au ajuns la o coerenta.
Marturisesc ca Herman Hesse a facut o treaba infinit mai buna schitand aceasta viziune a valorilor contrariana in romanul sau Lupul de stepa.
Good book but not about what you think it is. This material grants a unique perspective on assesing one's capabilities in the real world , assesing stGood book but not about what you think it is. This material grants a unique perspective on assesing one's capabilities in the real world , assesing standards and guidlines and also mentors. Just because someone has done something for a great deal of years does not mean he ia competent and able to teach you what he professes in the present moment.
Some things to take with you: always practice fundamentals until they become your second nature . Specialized training does not mean learning "specialized" moves or using specialized dleivery platforms (guns, knives, kicks..etc) , but more like being able to analyze your environment and perform sequences of the fundamentals in the same sure and secure manner as in any other circumstance.
When going full in, think that the other participant most certainly has a total different set of values and most probably is certain to escalate the hierarchy of assault.If you are monkey dancing , are you ready for the other dude to become assaultive or even homicidal ?
This was more a book about formal violence , the psichology of the participants , predator and prey , and most inportantly the mindset. The mindset altering is what we are all after in some way or another.
Easily could've been a 4 if he would stop repeating himself so much , though i reckon that was also a part of him trying to get it to stick in the reader's head....more
This book is a real bang for the buck ! A mind bending perspective on violence , criminal activity , self defense. This piece does not only tackle theThis book is a real bang for the buck ! A mind bending perspective on violence , criminal activity , self defense. This piece does not only tackle the misgivings of self defense in all its plethora of forms and variations , but it goes deeper , it challenges the reader on his own perception about life and conflict, about what you are capable of doing. Psichological implications checked , philosophical ones checked , society checked.
Awesome read. I recommend it to anyone intrigued or wanting to know more about the mechanics, dynamics and complexity of violence....more
**spoiler alert** Dezastru, foarte greu am terminat cartea asta. As spune ca 80% sunt cugetari fara sens , se porneste de la o idee apoi se trece la u**spoiler alert** Dezastru, foarte greu am terminat cartea asta. As spune ca 80% sunt cugetari fara sens , se porneste de la o idee apoi se trece la un eveniment istoric care nu are nici o legatura cu ce s-a spus , nici macar ca fabula. Inteleg ca e fluxul liber al gandirii si as intelege daca ar fi cum insusi spune autorul "parerile mele se mai si bat in cap"... Ei bine nu se bat cap in cap ci pur si simplu nu au legatura una cu alta.
Mult prea mult gunoi intelectual in 230 pagini.
Din cand in cand citind pe diagonala (caci la un moment dat nu am mai rezistat - dupa 80% din carte) mai dai de cate o idee superba , filozofica care chiar te loveste in moalele capului.
Cel mai fain capitol a fost cel despre relatii amoroase. Mi-a placut cum stilul de viata boem si libertin este apreciat, ba mai mul, sprijinit cu o intreaga suita de dovezi , demonstratii si exemple din societatea inalta.
Per total o carte greu de parcurs cu mici scantei pe ici pe colo....more
**spoiler alert** This is a must read for anyone intrested or suffering from any kind of obsessive compulsive behaviour (OCD) .
I loved the way this di**spoiler alert** This is a must read for anyone intrested or suffering from any kind of obsessive compulsive behaviour (OCD) .
I loved the way this disease is presented somewhere along the lines:
Your front part of the brain is constantly producing messages. In the center of your brain there are two little components that act as a transmission to the cortex : the Caudate Nucleus and the Putamen. In a healthy brain they receive a message like "wash your hands" , they let it pass through , the cortex enables the behaviour of washing. Now when another message similar to the first is produced the Caudate Nucleus acts as a filter/gateway. ("dont let this trash message pass since we have alrdy washed hands"). In a OCD brain there is an imbalance of chemicals hence the filter is not working properly , it lets all (repeated) messages go through and the sufferer repeats the same behaviour over and over while knowing something is wrong. Add to this the Cygnus that controls your heart and you have a recipe for panic attacks.
As the author puts it , an OCD sufferer gets his brain locked in the same behaviour over and over again. Its like instead of an automatic transmision , the one he has is manual , he has to do manual effort -mindful effort to get out of brainlock.
The main focus of this book is how to unlock your brain from this compulsive behaviour , basically identifying the disease , attributing your behaviour to it and then refocusing your attention to something else.
While at the begining this constant battle is hard , in time it becomes automatic and your gears will begin to shift properly in your brain.
OCD is not curable , its an ongoing battle , your mind vs your brain.
The clinical cases presented in this book are humbling , people performing multi hour cleaning rituals , filling houses with trash , phobias etc ...people losing decades of their lives up until the point this disease started getting attention.
On the bright side , most of these people got alot better and live normal lives after following this routine , without ever relapsing.
This is not a self help book but more like an outside perspective on the flawed human nature.
It provides a cynical framework on how humans fool themseThis is not a self help book but more like an outside perspective on the flawed human nature.
It provides a cynical framework on how humans fool themselves and others thinking they are their own masters , and their will, long term and short term goals , and aspirations are their own , when in fact we can not even trust our senses and we let our emotions have the better of us without even having the chance to procees the "outside signals" .
We are slaves of our lizard brain , the one that knows only two states (drawers as the author puts it) : fight or flight , winner or loser , and everytime something uncomfortable happens in our lives we go into survival mode and that happens even to millionaires.
Pretty shocking that even long term goals and careers can be a byproduct of a frustration or a repressed emotion for example:
A guy finishes college and feels a need to move out of the parents house motivating that he needs freedom e feels a calling to explore the world . So he moves to thousands of miles from his parents , without realising that in fact he does it because he is jealous that his parents offered more attention to his sister during childhood.
**spoiler alert** Este drept ca am fost informat cu privire la tematica cartii , cu toate acestea , mi-a cam iesit pe nas citind primele o suta dr de **spoiler alert** Este drept ca am fost informat cu privire la tematica cartii , cu toate acestea , mi-a cam iesit pe nas citind primele o suta dr de pagini in care se vorbeste aproape exclusiv despre moarte , chimioterapie , tratamente paliative , sinucidere asistata , boli ale batranetii care aduc moartea , infarcturi , cancer , precum si prieteni , colegi , rude moarte.
As putea spune , ca , continutul acestei carti se prezinta asemenea pulsului unui muribund...plat , si rar , cate o pulsatie.
Acestea fiind spuse , odata ce trecem de jumatate (nevasta se prapadeste)cartea incepe sa devina deosebit de interesanta.
Asistam la toate starile tranzitorii , angoasele si bineinteles durerea prin care trece Irvin Yalom in varsta de 88 ani , somitate in psihologie , odata cu moartea sotiei dupa o casnicie 50 de ani ; mai mult decat atat , suntem martori si la procesul sau de ... ameliorare , caci , de vindecare nu ar putea fi vorba !...more
**spoiler alert** Interesting perspective on how to tackle management dilemmas which are in most cases social skills and persuasion problems or better**spoiler alert** Interesting perspective on how to tackle management dilemmas which are in most cases social skills and persuasion problems or better said , the lack of them.
While the book sets a strong foundation defining the 4 pillars of effective managment : knowing your directs, providing feedback, asking for more of your directs and delegating , i found the book repeating itself too much on these ideas after some point.
The book is written in a depth first manner , and the breadth is lacking in some aspects.
Would have been a solid book with more examples and more ideas put in the spotlight....more
**spoiler alert** Asasinarea unei intregi familii respectabile (ca sa nu spunem piloni ai comunitatii ) dintr-un mic oras din Kansas in anul 1959 serv**spoiler alert** Asasinarea unei intregi familii respectabile (ca sa nu spunem piloni ai comunitatii ) dintr-un mic oras din Kansas in anul 1959 serveste drept catalizator al povestii noastre.
Autorul ne ofera o imagine holistica a societatii , prezentand cu lux de amanunte , atat vietile victimelor , a faptasilor precum si a tuturor persoanelor care interactioneaza intr-un fel sau altul cu cei mentionati .
Vietile personajelor sunt disecate de-a lungul romanului pe toate planurile temporale.
Asadar aflam motivul crimei , planificarea , executia , fuga urmand apoi urmarirea (se detaliaza punctul de vedere al anchetatorilor ) , procesul , inchisoarea si in cele din urma pedeapsa.
Poate cea mai impresionanta parte este inchisoarea. Asistam indeaproape la evolutia (sau stagnarea) viziunii asupra vietii a faptasilor precum si la raporturile acestora cu alti detinuti care isi asteapta pedeapsa.
**spoiler alert** Parcurgand cartea nu am reusit sa scap de aceasta puternica senzatie de repulsie , mi-sa parut ca nu te poti cobori atat de jos , sa**spoiler alert** Parcurgand cartea nu am reusit sa scap de aceasta puternica senzatie de repulsie , mi-sa parut ca nu te poti cobori atat de jos , sa te lupti pentru fiecare dolar pentru fiecare concesie , sa te "tiganesti" in asemenea hal.
Dar , omul (autorul) are dreptate ; nu e tiganeala , e vorba de respectul de sine , de a reusi sa empatizezi cu celalalt om , de a-i intelege pozitia , de a il asculta , ..dar in final (desi este numita in fel si chip) de a obtine ceea ce vrei prin manipulare..caci celalata parte tot pierde , important fiind sa piarda cu zambetul pe buze , cu ego-ul satisfacut si cu cu gandul ca a iesit ca el.
O lectura interesanta , cu sfaturi bune de testat macar !...more
Great book for those struggling in multicultural environments at the workplace. What this book does good is that it provides scales for 8 different aspGreat book for those struggling in multicultural environments at the workplace. What this book does good is that it provides scales for 8 different aspects of communication such as depth of context , negative feedback approach , hierarchical structure or decision making.Then it takes different cultures and places them on these scales. Depending on the difference between your culture and your target's culture on that scale you are given concrete examples and ways on how to deal with these discrepancies , how to reason with people that are totally different than you and how to get the job done at the end of the day....more
**spoiler alert** A not so consistent read with lots of ups and downs.
The story behind the story : a father that grieves over the death of his son tri**spoiler alert** A not so consistent read with lots of ups and downs.
The story behind the story : a father that grieves over the death of his son tries to understand what his son was : An idea , a pattern , was it only in his imagination and where did he go after death. He then takes his motor bike and goes in a circuit of the USA reminiscing the time spent with his son.
Throughout the book we are told what quality is and how it affects the modern man . We also get a glimpse of Phaedrus the alter ego of the author , the insane version that is interested in philosophy , dialectic and rhetoric.
The book is lots of fun when describing how one man searching for qualiity and the truth gets in university and basicallly demolishes his professors.
The book draws parallels between the art of motorcycle maintainance and quality. Basically that every thing that you set your mind upon can become art and be the vessel of quality if you do it systematically, you preeplan it and give attentiion to all.the details.More so when you do something of quality you influence the people around you , you "infect" them , and it spreads for the greater good.
There are times when its mind blowing , like the whole approach to definiing what makes something real. Is it our senses that define that something , or do we have an apriori image of that thing that changes in time.
There are also times when i find it boring or really too hard to follow.The first 55% of the book is great , you caan follow along with ease. Then you hit a rut up until 82% , when the book starts climbing and becomes exceptional . (I am referrinng to.the university chapters).
The ending wraps it all up quite nicely and its the place where your accumulated questions are answered quite consistently.
If this book was a shorter somewhere in the 300-350 pages it wouldve been a solid 5/5....more
**spoiler alert** Really awesome read bridging the gap between computer science and daily life , focusing on the complexity of life and how we make de**spoiler alert** Really awesome read bridging the gap between computer science and daily life , focusing on the complexity of life and how we make decisions based on intuition or common sense which for the most part turn out to be the optimal ones .
The book also presents some amazing mathematical solutions to problems we encounter in daily life such as : - choosing a new secretary , buying a new condo : look then leap approach (37% rule) - choosing a parking lot , cashing out : optimal stopping - choosing a new restaurant ( multi armed robber / gittins index) - creating a travel plan : Lagrangian Relaxation of constraints - solving an intractable problem (like solving chemical composition dependencies or even placing relatives to tables at a wedding) , one that has so many variables it is impossible to compute in a reasonable time : applying a Monte Carlo simulation , sampling solutions and taking the best one
One of the most interesting parts was the one regarding Exponential Backoff? How do you deal with a [drug/alcohol..etc] addict friend or relative that needs your help (money/shelter) but distresses you constantly? You can't turn him down without feeling guilty but you can not constantly be there for him. After helping him every time you will let him now he can use your help the next time in a period two times longer than the previous one.Thus you apply an exponential backoff. Some countries have started applying this method in the prison system regarding probationary periods , jail time etc...
A really great and fun read that admiringly is accesible to anyone (not just computer science people)....more
From the first pages it became clear to me that i was dealing with an author of a diferent caliber.
The book is so geniune , so psichologically deep , From the first pages it became clear to me that i was dealing with an author of a diferent caliber.
The book is so geniune , so psichologically deep , it tackles so many aspects of life but the one that stuck with me and opened my eyes was : be open , accept other people as they are , don't assume your vision of life is the correct one and discard everything else.That is how intolerance , racism and all the nitty gritty's start (foreshadowing WW2 in the book).
Also don't take yourself too seriously , don't build your ivory tower and hunker down in classics and old eras while despising your time.
Life is hard , was hard and will be hard and miserable and you will never understand it all , nor will people try to understand you.
Take all with a grain of salt , try new things and the most important thing ...Laugh !!!!!...more
Though I appreciate the fact that the author provides a rich compendium of historical situations and how great leaders faced adversity i wouldn't callThough I appreciate the fact that the author provides a rich compendium of historical situations and how great leaders faced adversity i wouldn't call this book practical.
It provides no real direction into how to handle "things" (which is a testament of the futility of self development books) in everyday life.
Still it is a good read for trivia lovers !...more
**spoiler alert** The book is about behaviour economics , why and how we take decisions , how we weight the good vs bad.
Main theme : There are 2 system**spoiler alert** The book is about behaviour economics , why and how we take decisions , how we weight the good vs bad.
Main theme : There are 2 systems at work in our brain: - system 1 : this is the fast , auto-pilot-default , associative one , whenever you are faced with a situation your brain first uses this one and starts fetching a tree-like data structure composed of events , feelings , memories , words and tries to mold them into some sort of mosaic otherwise known as coherence so that it makes sense for you. Thats how you construct a story and you believe it. - system 2 : is the slow , lazy and, deliberate one. This bad boy is used whenever you need to focus a large part of your attention (multiplying numbers , driving...etc)
My favourite part: Whenever you are faced with a hard question , your system 1 answers to another simpler question and mischeviously replaces the answer so that it looks you have answered the original one:
Ex; Bob: i placed 200 k on Ford Stocks Fred: Why did you check their financials ? Bob: I like ford cars and i visited the factory:
Bob is tasked with answering a tough question : does he know how Ford financials look like ? Bob's system 1 answers to a simpler question: Do i like Ford cars ? Yes Bob then sets the answer Yes to the original question even though he answered for the second.
Besides these 2 systems that are explained thoroughly with examples and statistics and case studies ,this book is great because it explains so much more regarding human behaviour in making decisions like : the law of small mumbers , priming , framing , utility and prospect theory , regression , planning fallacy and so much more.
Even though the book is terrific on theory and examples on why things happen the eay they are i rated it with 4/5 because i did feel like i wanted a section dedicated to "how to avoid X or Y "
Loading...
