Maxzor hat La Bible de Jérusalem besprochen
La Bible de Jérusalem est le fruit de la traduction collective des textes hébreux et …
Ketouvim
5 Sterne
Hagiographes - livres historiques, poétiques et sapientiaux.
#bookstodon
Zeige markierte Status in der lokalen Balrog's BookWyrm Gemeinschaft
Sean Bala hat Moral Ambition von Rutger Bregman besprochen
This Could Have Been a TED Talk...
3 Sterne
I decided to read this book after seeing the author speak on the Daily Show and hearing his Reith Lectures on the BBC. He speaks with clear passion and moral force and so I was intrigued to read the book.
Let me point out the positives first. Bregman is most effective at pointing out the flaws behind modern activism (especially on the left) and the need to look seriously at how movements are built. They require patience and a big tent to bring in people of various talents and persuasions. Raising awareness is not enough. You need to actually have an actionable program you willing to see through. He also highlights the fact that the best and the brightest from top schools all pursue careers that are not creating any meaningful value.
I think the flaw that undermines his approach is that he takes a utilitarian view of …
I decided to read this book after seeing the author speak on the Daily Show and hearing his Reith Lectures on the BBC. He speaks with clear passion and moral force and so I was intrigued to read the book.
Let me point out the positives first. Bregman is most effective at pointing out the flaws behind modern activism (especially on the left) and the need to look seriously at how movements are built. They require patience and a big tent to bring in people of various talents and persuasions. Raising awareness is not enough. You need to actually have an actionable program you willing to see through. He also highlights the fact that the best and the brightest from top schools all pursue careers that are not creating any meaningful value.
I think the flaw that undermines his approach is that he takes a utilitarian view of action. This leads him to prioritize the greatest good for the greatest number. The "greatest good" in this book seems to involve people dedicating themselves to all-consuming project in the developing world. This bias puts him into a tricky position as talks about effective altruism. He has many critiques for EA 1.0. He points out that they are too into numbers, that they are too dedicated to working within the system rather than changing it, and that they attract a certain savior-type person prone to corruption. But, given the aim of his book, he cant help but admire the moral ambition of EA's. It is a myopic view of utilitarianism that ultimately makes the book much less effective.
I would also be remiss if I did not point out that his chapter on a Charity incubator in London is excruciatingly bad and carries a Harry Potter / Hogwarts metaphor far farther than any millennial author should be expected to take it.
I think this is the kind of book to read, take from it what you will, and then move on. It could have been a TED talk or an essay.
#Books #Bookstodon #Philosophy #Philanthropy #Charity #Activism #EffectiveAltruism.
Sean Bala hat Death on Gokumon Island von Seishi Yokomizo besprochen
Kosuke Kindaichi arrives on the remote Gokumon Island bearing tragic news – the son of …
Small (Island) Japanese Murder Mystery
4 Sterne
Inhaltswarnung Analysis of Author's Writing Over Multiple Novels
After returning home from World War II, Detective Kosuke Kindaichi fulfills his comrade's dying wish to go to Gokumon Island in order to save his sisters from being murdered. The setting (an insular fishing island) was a nice twist on a small town murder mystery. It plays with our perceptions of the insularity of small places and the power dynamics at play throughout. Yokomizo's novels are part of a genre of "fair play" mysteries where the author tries to give the reader all they need to figure out the solution. I genuinely did not expect the solution though it makes sense once you go back through.
This is my fourth Kindaichi novel and it is definitely one of the better ones. It is just the right length and just believable enough. I am beginning to see some of the author's stylistic flourishes. The use of the fourth wall to forshadow, elements of thriller and action to keep the plot going forward, stylistically gruesome murders. One that I'm starting to notice (SPOILER) is that out of the four novels, this is the third one where a psychologically dominant character overtaking a weaker-willed one is a central aspect of the plot. I am curious if that is going to continue.
Scott hat An Introduction to Zen Buddhism von Daisetsu Teitaro Suzuki besprochen
One of the world’s leading authorities on Zen Buddhism, D. T. Suzuki was the author …
It's ok
3 Sterne
I watched a vid on Zen Buddhism, and got further interested in it. So I tried to find as good a book as I could. This was a good look into Zen Buddhism. At least from my perspective. It was odd hearing a very British voice reading it. It almost felt culturally voyeuristic.
The book goes over the history and believes and methods of Zen Buddhism.
I was surprised to learn how violent some of the prominent Zen figures of the history were. 30 lashes with a stick, someone thrown off a building, even a brutal death of a cat to make a point. Also be ready for some rather blunt language from some anecdotes.
Also be ready for inconsistent themes. Zen is not so much about a peaceful mind. As it is freedom from a consistent mind. Defying definitions, and logic. Even defying Buddhism.
It …
I watched a vid on Zen Buddhism, and got further interested in it. So I tried to find as good a book as I could. This was a good look into Zen Buddhism. At least from my perspective. It was odd hearing a very British voice reading it. It almost felt culturally voyeuristic.
The book goes over the history and believes and methods of Zen Buddhism.
I was surprised to learn how violent some of the prominent Zen figures of the history were. 30 lashes with a stick, someone thrown off a building, even a brutal death of a cat to make a point. Also be ready for some rather blunt language from some anecdotes.
Also be ready for inconsistent themes. Zen is not so much about a peaceful mind. As it is freedom from a consistent mind. Defying definitions, and logic. Even defying Buddhism.
It was a fine read. Still churning on some of the ideas.
CW: physical harm, rough language, death of an animal
Scott hat Harriet Tubman : Live in Concert von Bob the Drag Queen besprochen
Intentional, and entertaining
4 Sterne
This was well written and well read by the author. It defines its characters well. And makes them rise out of the page. It knows what it wants to do, it gets to the business of doing it, but doesnt get to heavy on the way of getting there.
A really affecting story of race, queerness, history, and freeing one's self.
CW: US-South slavery, queer outing, alcoholism
Peggy Orenstein reveals what she learn interviewing high school and college young men on their …
A look inside the mind of young men on these tricky subjects.
4 Sterne
This book has frank discussions of sex and masculinity. It fully acknowledges that teenagers have sex, but does not glorify nor damn it.
This was a really interesting book. As a guy, who was/is struggling with this subject. And as a guy who avoided all of this in his teens and 20s. Mostly because I was scared about how any of it could go bad. But reading this, I find out even the guys doing them regularly are not sure what they're doing. And are worried about it still. Some interesting insights with good journalistic work. #Books #Bookstodon #Gender #Masculinity