Outsider Art as Novel: July's kooky middle-class of fringe American fever dreams Nuanced psycho-drama focused on the fringes of acceptable relationshipOutsider Art as Novel: July's kooky middle-class of fringe American fever dreams Nuanced psycho-drama focused on the fringes of acceptable relationships and personalities, not in an obvious provocateur way but more in a cringe way.
Reminded me a bit of Moshfegh's Death in Her Hands—because of the unreliable narrator and woman on the fringes of conventional culture—but with less suspense and more comedic timing á la Simon Rich....more
A humorous, airy overview of Western moral philosophy which starts off strong but gets bogged down by its own moral failings and unphilosophic turns. TA humorous, airy overview of Western moral philosophy which starts off strong but gets bogged down by its own moral failings and unphilosophic turns. The first half of How to Be Perfect explains the three most frequently discussed moral theories in Western philosophy: Aristotle’s virtue ethics, Kant’s deontology, and Mill’s utilitarianism. This is the same material most Intro to Philosophy and Moral Philosophy classes are going to get. (Context/disclaimer: I have an MA in philosophy so almost none of the information was new; I was more focused on presentation and accuracy.) These sections are straightforward and show the strength of Schur’s presentation.
Schur uses extensive humor and asides while still getting all the major points right (but see my quibbles about his minor points after the break). I imagine most students would find this introduction more entertaining than most philosophy classes. (Now, whether entertainment value is a good metric or an effective teaching strategy for an introduction to a difficult subject like philosophy is a different argument, and something I struggled with in my own teaching.)
Unfortunately, the second half of the book peters out as Schur starts to apply the above moral theories to various contemporary problems—both serious and trite. When difficulties are encountered, Schur brings in a new branch of philosophy to sidestep the issue at hand. Thus we get moral pit stops at existentialism, Ubuntu, moral luck, effective altruism, and a few other concepts.
Throughout the book, Schur does provide useful overviews and recommendations; he encourages the reader to use various perspectives to come their moral conclusions; he cautions them to be realistic and optimistic about their ability to make change. This sounds fine, but in practice Schur himself often skims over these points too quickly. In an attempt to cover a lot of ground and suffuse the text with humor, Schur has ignored a core element of philosophy: rigorous argumentation and systematization. One can certainly use moral theories for self-help inspiration, but such an approach doesn’t really tap into what is distinctive about philosophy. And one easily could take self-help inspiration from various sources that might be more effective than moral philosophy.
Furthermore, Schur’s arguments are only good insofar as he uses widely shared values for reasoning about generic examples. But Schur is wont to wallop on straw men. There are various unfair and controversial cheap shots fired throughout the book; the pandemic and anti-masking movement are the most frequent targets of abuse. The problem is that we are still in the middle of the pandemic and it is not at all clear what the best strategy or guidance will be in the long-term. Many of our moral decisions depend on what the medical scientists say about the virus, what social scientists say about human behavior, what political theorists say about rights, and so on. There are reasonable concerns a lot of people have about moral and political imperatives which require reshaping the world.
Schur sees none of that nuance. He paints the mask skeptics as mere country hicks with illusions of patriotic grandeur (Ch. 8, 5:31:30). But those paragons of social progressivism and liberalism, Sweden and Denmark, have been more on the anti-masking side of the debate (as reported by The New Yorker and The Atlantic!).
I’m sort of astounded that such blatant, self-satisfied idiocy could’ve been published under the auspices of academics and a whole crew of editors and supporting cast. Such dynamics serve as surprising support for conservative claims of bias in media.
Schur’s last saving grace—humor—also eventually fails in its over-reliance on the formulation: "X person is the worst Y." This hyperbolic rudeness is somewhat similar to Simon Rich’s humor, but doesn’t hit as hard, probably because Schur is limited by trying to explain difficult philosophical topics and relies on the same tricks and targets too much.
Had Schur held onto the stronger philosophical focus in the first half and been more philosophical in his arguments, this could’ve served as a culturally important introduction to philosophy. As it stands, the book works mostly as a piece of memorabilia for "The Good Place"'s fan club. That said, I have seen some of "The Good Place" and enjoy how it blends humor and philosophy—so I did still enjoy speed-reading this curio. ——— Quibbles Schur describes the history of morality is described as an explicit conversation and argument over what matters in moral decision making and what constitutes the good. However, among other disciplines, like economics, sociology, or anthropology, much of morality can be seen as implicit and tied together with more conditional notions like self-interest, incentives, social norms, identity-formation, etc.
“Aristotle 100% thought slavery was okay.” (Ch. 5, 3:49:15) I wrote a whole undergrad paper on Aristotle and ancient Greek understandings of slavery (and it was apparently good enough to help me get into my MA program). Suffice to say, Schur doesn’t really know what he’s talking about. Aristotle’s position on slavery is different than what we might expect because the very words and concepts for slaves, the cultural context, and Aristotle’s philosophy are fairly different than the corresponding concepts, culture, and philosophy of colonial chattel slavery.
Schur describes pragmatism’s search for meaning through William James’s metaphor of a corridor full of doors leading to different rooms. Schur says the pragmatist finds truth behind those doors (Ch. 6, 4:18:15). But this is a very counterintuitive framing for pragmatism, a philosophy which is one of the least concerned with objective truth—instead favoring the conditionally useful, practical, and “pragmatic” as it were....more
A solid collection of humorous, absurd, and even relatable tales. Most of the stories center on "spoiled brats" in situations both real and fantasticalA solid collection of humorous, absurd, and even relatable tales. Most of the stories center on "spoiled brats" in situations both real and fantastical. Although like Hits and Misses many of the characters are in demographics similar to Rich's own—secular Millennials trying to make it big in the hip neighborhoods of The Big City while contending with out-of-touch parents. Many of Rich's readers will likely fit this demographic. As a dilettante "creative-type" who has lived in NYC for six months and plans to live there someday, I certainly saw a version of my demographic in many of Rich's incisive, sardonic jokes about the hipsters of Brooklyn.
The stories are shorter and punchier than the somewhat disappointing New Teeth but don't hit as hard as Hits and Misses. Although if you aren't humored by the first story or two, this collection and Rich's style probably aren't for you. Each of his short story collections seems to be a refining of a particular formula and style.
Favorite Bits I would never admit this to anyone, but sometimes I wonder if Derek and I are even compatible. I mean, I love him with all my heart, and I know he loves me, even though he’s never, like, said the words or whatever. But the thing is, we have pretty different interests. For example, he’s really into full-immersion virtual-reality first-person-shooter games and I’m really into, like, relationships. (17%) — “Who’s going to hire you? You’ve got no education, no experience, no skills.”
“Simon,” Claire says, “that’s rude.”
“It’s not rude,” he says. “It’s realistic. I mean, for God’s sake, Hersch, you barely even know how to speak English.”
My face begins suddenly to burn. It is painful to hear my great-great-grandson say these things. I know I am not so clever. I did not go to kindergarten like a fancy man. But I am not as worthless as he says.
“I have experience with pickling,” I inform him. (34%) — “You must bring it back when you are done,” I explain. “So that I can reuse.”
“You reclaim your jars?”
“There is nothing wrong with reusing jars,” I say. “You can fill them again and again and taste is same.”
“Amen to that,” the man says.
“You must return jar,” I repeat firmly. “Or I will violence.”
The man rubs his chin and then smiles.
“You know what?” he says. “I think I’m going to write a blog post about you.”
“A what?”
“A blog post.”
“A what?”
“A post. On my blog.”
“A what?”
“A blog post.”
“Fine,” I say. “Is fine.” (43%) — "There are so many aspects of the immigration process in need of reform.”
I wave my hands.
“Is fine,” I say.
“How can you say that? You went through hell to make it to this country.”
“Jews do not believe in hell,” I remind her. “That is strange Christian thing. But also, more important, I think you spend too much time thinking of others.”
She smiles. “What a nice thing to say.”
“I meant it as insult. In Slupsk we have popular saying. It goes: ‘You must always put yourself first, before everybody else, in every situation in the world, even if you have resources and they are about to die.’ ” (46%) — “I can’t believe you took the money,” Claire whispers. “How could you just sell out like that?”
There are tears in her eyes; slowly, it dawns on me why she is so upset.
“I forgot to haggle,” I admit. “It was stupid. I should have demanded even more of their sweet, sweet dollars.”
Claire bangs her tiny fist against the wall.
“How could you be so selfish?” she says. “It’s disgusting! I mean… what would Sarah say?”
I squint at her, confused. Sarah would be proud, of course. She would not join my dance, because her leg was lame and it shamed her. But she would clap her hands in time while I did my rich-man jig. (58%) — I love my father, but sometimes he can get on my nerves. It’s hard to explain why exactly. It’s just little things he does, here and there, that bother me. For example, sometimes he shits into his hands and then throws the shit into my face while jumping up and down and screaming. I know he’s just trying to be funny—and it is funny, I can see that. But there’s just something about it that annoys me. I’ve asked him politely not to do it anymore, but I always get the same reaction. He just rolls his yellow eyes and says, “I’m sorry, your majesty.” (64%)...more
The stories in New Teeth are still enjoyable, but some of the novelty of Rich’s humor has either worn off or is worse for the weak theme: The main connecting theme seems to be narration from an unusual and anachronistic person or thing (sentient Laserdisc machine, pirates who recycle, a futuristic secretary robot, a toddler as noir-detective).
The stories also felt more overworked and too stylistic. These stories are longer than Hits and Misses but don't make adequate use of this extra space for development.
Despite all that, Rich still got me to laugh a few times, which is rare for me, so it was still a good read.
(The audiobook version was not read by Rich but was still very well done and probably makes the collection better than mere print.)
——— Favorite Bits
The [toddler] detective shuffled down the hall, trying to figure out what the hell he was even doing. Why had he gotten mixed up in this crazy case? Was it just for the Batman [stickers]? Or was it something else?
There was something about that screwy kid. The world had done [his baby sister] rotten, but somehow it hadn’t made her cynical. She still believed in justice. She still believed in hope. She still believed that objects disappeared when you put a surface in front of them and then reappeared by magic when you took away that surface. She even believed in him. No one ever had before. It was enough to keep him going.
But everywhere he looked, he came up empty. He searched the couch for clues, but all he found were Cheerios. He interviewed the doggy, but as usual, he wasn’t talking. Desperate, he decided to go undercover.
“I’m a train,” he said, to no one in particular. “Choo-choo, I’m a train.”
The tactic failed. (22%, percentage from the audiobook)
– I was thinking…maybe it would be easier if we worked together.”
She was so excited, she grabbed the crib bars and pulled herself up to a standing position. “What are you saying?”
“I’m saying partners. You and me.”
“I don’t have any experience,” she said. “You’d have to train me.”
“It won’t take long,” he said. “We can start right now.”
He handed her a crayon so she could take notes.
“Is this food?” she asked.
“No,” he said. “Don’t eat it.”
“I’m completely lost,” she said. “I don’t know where I am, and I forgot what’s happening. I don’t know if this is a dream or if I’m awake, and I also don’t understand mirrors.”
“Don’t worry,” he said. “We’ll figure it all out together.” (28%)
–
Mr. Dunn hit the last ball right at Junior, but it bounced off a pebble and started to sail past his shoulder. Junior tried to barehand it, like how I had done, and he was really close to pulling it off, but at the very last second, instead of snagging the ball, he fell down hard on his face, and his pants and jock split open, and his butt popped out, and everyone kind of gasped, because there was his butt. And he just kind of lay there on the dirt for a while, with his face in the mud and everybody staring at his naked butt.
And there was a long pause, and then Mr. Dunn blew his whistle and said tryouts were over. (86%)...more
Rich and Famous, Fatuous and Farcical Perhaps the funniest book I’ve ever read,* Rich’s short stories are dense with one-liners, read as extended bits,Rich and Famous, Fatuous and Farcical Perhaps the funniest book I’ve ever read,* Rich’s short stories are dense with one-liners, read as extended bits, and add up to a meaningful whole. The writing works at all levels. There’s even an ironic moral that emerges from the collection: fame and success can be all consuming, be careful what you wish for and what those wishes make you become.
For me, the only fault of the collection is that in the last few stories, I could feel the comedic formula Rich had developed and used in many of the stories. Even so, like the great tragedies, knowing the outcome and the formal structure didn’t prevent me from enjoying the narrative and appreciating Rich’s pacing, characterization, and plotting.
I highly recommend the audiobook version, as Rich himself reads the stories and conveys even more than the stories themselves with his tone and timing.
* I don’t know how to review comedy, so this rating is much more biased than most of my reviews. I don’t enjoy most comedy. I see the experience as mostly a suggestive place for a group to signal shared expectations and understandings of the world. Perhaps that’s all my response to this collection is as well. So I could see others’ ratings varying from 2-5 stars. I do think aside from the comedy, Rich has an unencumbered, clear writing style and is building on a relevant theme in ways that aren’t hackneyed or overdone. So in this regard I don’t think the collection would deserve a lowly 1 star.
——— Favorite Bits and One-Liners “Ready,” Ben said. He squeezed her hand as a black-and-white image took shape on a nearby monitor. It took some getting used to, but before long, Ben was able to identify the baby’s legs and torso.
“What’s that thing?” he asked, pointing excitedly to a small white smudge.
“Is penis!” said the doctor triumphantly. “It means you have boy!”
“Whoa!” Ben said as he and Sue laughed with amazement. “A boy!”
Ben pointed at another blurry shape. “What about that thing?”
“Is pencil,” said the doctor.
Ben’s smile faded. “Did you say pencil?”
“Or pen,” the doctor said. “Is too early to know at this stage.”
“What does it mean?” Ben asked nervously.
Dr. Kowalski grinned.
“It means you have writer!” (1%)
–
“He stole my idea,” Ben murmured as they climbed up to their fifth-floor Brooklyn walk-up.
“How is that even possible?” Sue asked. She was exhausted and a little out of breath.
“They can hear stuff through the womb,” Ben said. “He must have heard me talking about it or something.”
“But you never talk about your work,” Sue reasoned. “I mean, until today, I had no idea you were starting a book about General Custer.”
“I’m not starting it; I’m finishing it! I’m up to the last chapter, God damn it!” (4%)
–
So Satan, who loved to gloat, started hanging out on God’s cloud all the time. And he would point to the bar mitzvah parties and the empty synagogues and the latest Bill Maher YouTube clips. And he would say things like “What’s up now?” or even, more aggressively, “’Sup now?” And by the twenty-first century, God’s self-esteem was at an all-time low. (21%)
–
Now, there was a wicked Hebrew in the land of Brooklyn named Simon Rich. And no one had less faith in God than he. And Satan would often boast about this man.
But God said unto Satan, “Maybe Simon would believe in me if his life were more blessed?” And Satan laughed and said, “How?” For Simon had been raised in luxury and had never experienced hardship of any kind.
So God, whose back was to the wall, made a wager with Satan. “Let’s go double or nothing on the Job thing. I’ll bless Simon and give him reward upon reward, until his cup runneth over. And you will see that he starts to believe!” And God put everything aside, including Africa, and focused full-time on blessing this Jewish atheist. (21%)
– I showed her the large earthen urn that contains [the] communal grain supply [for the monks].
“Once a year,” I explained, “we go to the market and pick up the grain that people have spilled on the dirty, filthy ground. And even this grain is too decadent for us. Which is why I add urine.”
“You’ve been adding urine?” Dominic asked.
I nodded. “I’ve been adding some urine.”
“Your own?”
“Yes,” I said.
“To the big urn? The one we all eat out of?”
“Yes.”
“Oh man,” Dominic said, softly shaking his head. “Man.”
There was a long silence.
–
The jesting business is a meritocracy. In the coliseum of humor, only the wittiest men win the wit fights that happen in the wit-fighting area of the coliseum!
(What I mean by that, in case you missed it, is that you need to be really witty, and good at words, to be a jester, and it is not just who your father was, and so forth.) (49%)...more
I'm astounded at just how funny and entertaining Kaufman's 700+ page tome is. While it lacks some of the sophistication and intricacy of Infinite JestI'm astounded at just how funny and entertaining Kaufman's 700+ page tome is. While it lacks some of the sophistication and intricacy of Infinite Jest or Thomas Pynchon, Kaufman's distinctive brand of absurdist humor smooths over its gaps. Essential reading for fans of Kaufman's movies, Antkind provides a deep-dive into Kaufman's constantly branching paths of unconventional storytelling that are usually reined in by the filmic form. Plus, you'll learn a ton about film history along the way....more
Extremely good energy for extremely depressing times. Lawson's voice—both her writing style and her actual voice for the audiobook—is dynamic and vivaExtremely good energy for extremely depressing times. Lawson's voice—both her writing style and her actual voice for the audiobook—is dynamic and vivacious. Her kooky observational humor, emotional nakedness, deep empathy for others, and ability to laugh at herself makes for a very easy introduction to some very difficult topics. Lawson struggles with several mental illnesses and doesn't shy away from exploring her darkest moments. Yet she tenaciously strives to find the silver lining, whether that's a traditional, socially acceptable nugget of truth or a moment of humor in the absurd, outré situations she wouldn't be in otherwise. Lawson is furiously happy—and she's probably going to infect you with it....more
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