Kerouac captured the speed of the road. Trips blur by, and simultaneously they churn, moment by moment. I read it while traveling for a vacation. It w...moreKerouac captured the speed of the road. Trips blur by, and simultaneously they churn, moment by moment. I read it while traveling for a vacation. It was apropos and thought-provoking.(less)
This book is about what, not how. I guess that's what architecture is: an exploration of the hypothetical what.
That's not really what I am...moreThis book is about what, not how. I guess that's what architecture is: an exploration of the hypothetical what.
That's not really what I am. This could be why I found the book fascinating, if a little hard to grasp.
I like the questions why and how. Especially how. My bias is towards action. I like to figure out how to implement an idea.
So, throughout this book, my brain was swirling with pictures and actions and diagrams that created the stuff the author talks about. The trouble was that his ideas were abstract that I often caught myself in negativity: you can't do that.
I appreciate the relentless focus on the hypothetical what. It was a refreshing challenge for my how brain.(less)
This book captured exactly why I was uncomfortable with Acton's 'behavioral economics' discussions. The author assumes that science is the ultimate ar...moreThis book captured exactly why I was uncomfortable with Acton's 'behavioral economics' discussions. The author assumes that science is the ultimate arbiter of truth. This book brings the wisdom of the ancients (philosophy) to contemporary science, and judges philosophy with the ultimate of scientific tests: correlative studies. Some cool ideas emerged about why the ancients may have been right; but what I saw emerge was far more troubling.
The author assumes we can then connect the 'is' to some set of 'oughts' and then have a set of parameters along which to live. The conclusion of this book is that there are a whole bunch of factors we should consider, then we set ourselves somewhere in the middle and wait for happiness to happen. If we accept this, science is our ultimate truth. Everything starts with science's best answer about what is.
I think a lot truth can be best understood through science. But when we are talking about the inner part of human beings, the soul, I think science has limits. I'd rather identify ends to pursue and actively work towards them. But science can't help: it only covers what is, not what should be. I'm fine with considering philosophy in light of psychology (social science), but our conception of truth should be firmly rooted in the former.(less)
I know a little something about money. This book clarified my understanding and taught me a few things. Written in a unique style, it gets a little ti...moreI know a little something about money. This book clarified my understanding and taught me a few things. Written in a unique style, it gets a little tiresome. However the author is rarely confusing and always defines his terms. I recommend it if you want the big picture perspective on personal finances. Unless you are self-employed. He wrote for people with jobs. (less)
I wish more well-read sages from the 60s wrote books like this one. Back then people learned rhetoric in school and they read enough books to recogniz...moreI wish more well-read sages from the 60s wrote books like this one. Back then people learned rhetoric in school and they read enough books to recognize their most influential authors. Muggeridge is at his best when talking about his four: Bacon, Kierkegaard, Weil, and Tolstoy. More than that, he's conversant with a host of thinkers with which he has quibbles. The point: he's well-read and well-reasoned. That is, until he takes up the important battles of the day. His day, the 60s. Not very reasonable for right now readers.
My takeaway: keep reading, don't focus on the present at the expense of the important.(less)
In this book Dan Roam teaches something important. He takes a bunch of things we sort-of, tangentially know, and clarifies them into a coherent, usefu...moreIn this book Dan Roam teaches something important. He takes a bunch of things we sort-of, tangentially know, and clarifies them into a coherent, useful system. Visual thinking is a way of looking around, processing, and showing people stuff. Using these tools will make you a good visual thinker, and thus a good presenter. Communicating is about showing people what you see, without visual communication, you won't do it right.(less)
I answer questions well, innately. It is not easy for me to explain this talent.
This book explains how to answer touch questions when it c...moreI answer questions well, innately. It is not easy for me to explain this talent.
This book explains how to answer touch questions when it counts. The author develops his own endearing jargon, uses detailed examples, and gives presenters an effective framework. Using the martial arts meme "agility counters force," this book effectively relays the tools you need to practice this skill.
For those of us gifted at answering tough questions, this book is more essential. To become a master of something, you need to consciously practice it. Natural gifting can be the bane of conscious practice because one can skip the learning and jump to the practice. We must learn what we do to become a master. Reading this book is an excellent way to start that learning.(less)
Lamott writes about a faith lived first, then believed. This organic approach to religion makes her different from most Christian authors and offensiv...moreLamott writes about a faith lived first, then believed. This organic approach to religion makes her different from most Christian authors and offensive to some. To me, her honesty and authenticity are refreshing. We should make room for people who are honest and entertaining. They make us reflect on more important things.(less)
Technopoly tells us that technology has an inherent viewpoint, a 'take' on reality. That's obvious. More unsettling is that Postman argues we adopt th...moreTechnopoly tells us that technology has an inherent viewpoint, a 'take' on reality. That's obvious. More unsettling is that Postman argues we adopt the viewpoint of the technology we use. For example, by naively citing social science we adopt Scientism--a scarily amoral view of reality. Postman's Technopoly is a negative description of modern American society--wholly taken into technological development, wholly sapped of social mores and the traditions that uphold them. Religion and liberal education have been replaced by bureaucracy and science. God and learning have been replaced by efficiency and progress. Postman is less interested with renewing the vigor of God and learning than with remarking on the stupidity of this exchange. As with any social critic, he's long on problems and short on solutions. Nonetheless, his chapter on Scientism is upsetting enough to make awareness of the problem the beginning of the solution.
If you have a computer or a phone, or have ever used one, read this book.(less)
I brought this book up in a few conversation as "the motivational speaker I'm reading." Motivational speakers have their own rhetoric. They ...moreI brought this book up in a few conversation as "the motivational speaker I'm reading." Motivational speakers have their own rhetoric. They use our language and stories and systems, but always a little too much. They take english and supercharge specific words with extra meaning; they tell stories that, while true, are fantastical and actionable; they have four keystones, three steps, and seven solutions. Motivational speakers are their own breed. This book reads like a motivational speaker talks.
While the communication style is memorable (if only because of its archetype), this book leaves something to be desired. The book over-packages, over-sells, over-simplifies, and over-systematizes. I'd like to be more energetic, yes, but holding my head just so for the past few weeks hasn't really done it. Some of the steps Cooper talks about may be good habits, but combining them all would a) make me insane, and b) probably not revolutionize my life anyway.
I'm a fan of simplicity: under-sell and over-deliver.(less)
After having been across four cities over the past year, this book refreshed my perspective on the need to plug in to the local church. The second and...moreAfter having been across four cities over the past year, this book refreshed my perspective on the need to plug in to the local church. The second and fifth chapters, "He Still Calls Her His Bride" and "Choosing Your Church," were especially helpful. I need to know the 'why' and the 'what to do with it.' Harris delivered these well.
The tough part isn't reading these 90 pages, but putting the thoughts to work. Which church in my area do I belong in? How can I plug in there starting now? These are the questions I still have to wrestle with. If anything, reading this book made the apparent stakes higher.(less)
Charles Zimmerman, professor of practical theology at Biblical Seminary (PA), summed up much theological truth with the (quoted) phrase: "God is ...moreCharles Zimmerman, professor of practical theology at Biblical Seminary (PA), summed up much theological truth with the (quoted) phrase: "God is God. And I am not." I heard this from him a few times, several years ago during a few conferences he keynoted. The phrase, due to its simplicity, stuck with me.
God is God. I am not.
Much of the Christian life happens in realizing the depth and impact of those words. In this short book, Mahaney captures most of that key step: realizing the truth of God and self daily. He uses the term 'humility' to encapsulate most of life as a Christian. We continually realize the power and presence of God, and almost by necessity, realize our weakness and undeservedness outside of God.
For people like me, easily distracted by life, incorporating Mahaney's suggested practices into daily routines will be valuable.(less)
The story of Chuck Feeney intrigued me. What would drive someone to build a billion dollar business, and then work feverishly to unbuild its wealth? ...moreThe story of Chuck Feeney intrigued me. What would drive someone to build a billion dollar business, and then work feverishly to unbuild its wealth?
When I first started reading this, the narrative moved so quickly and had so many details, that I thought the second half of the book would be non-stop analysis. It turns out, however, that the author was suck a journalist, that he couldn't help but keep the pace up. Curiously, he didn't create a strong meta-narrative. That Feeney did this is clear, but exactly why isn't. (Good, because Feeney himself doesn't make it crystal clear.) Like Carnegie, he reached the pinnacle of wealth and then blinked. Or did he? Feeney set out to prove that the compassionate use of wealth is its right end.
Lesson learned: you can do a whole lot of good by taking an entrepreneurial approach to philanthropy. Lesson yet to learn: do I have the wisdom to avoid the entrapment of wealth?(less)
Yesterday I rode the metro to DC and back. During the ride, I read this book. Its only 80 small pages long, which is good, because the author doesn't ...moreYesterday I rode the metro to DC and back. During the ride, I read this book. Its only 80 small pages long, which is good, because the author doesn't have a whole lot to say. But what he says is important.
I've read the book three times. Each reading has been worthwhile. The premise of the book is that the Christian life has it's beginning an end in the cross of Christ. The gospel that saved us is the gospel that sustains us. This seems basic, elementary, but it's terribly easy to ignore.
After making that argument, the author gives some practical advice on how to keep the cross central in your thoughts and how doing so avoids common pitfalls. I particularly enjoy this section, because, almost invariably, I get distracted and wrapped around the axle on stuff I shouldn't. Refocusing my meditative life is important. Reading this book every year or so helps.(less)
I began this book exploring a product to launch and finished it working in the business services industry. This juxtaposition helped me make sense of ...moreI began this book exploring a product to launch and finished it working in the business services industry. This juxtaposition helped me make sense of Moore's analysis and see its limitations.
For high-tech, or most new products, Moore is spot on. There is an adoption curve and the key challenge for success in these kinds of ventures is moving from early adopters to the mainstream. His strategy (summed as 'focus') is the way to conquer this challenge.
For services, I'm not as sure. My business is defined as singular events: consultation meetings, coaching sessions, and drafting language for others to deliver. While his advice (narrow focus leads to strong results) does not yet resonate with me. I'm still at the stage of figuring out what I do best and what customers need most. Frankly, most small service businesses (singular self-employed ventures) stay in this stage. Here we tinker, bring others in to solve tough problems. We never reach a 'mainstream.' And we shouldn't: when you can mass-produce professional services, you lose the real value created.
All that said, Moore was an entertaining and refreshing read: high-tech (and new product) folks must take him in.(less)
This is CS Lewis. If you like his nonfiction, you'll love this; if not, then you may find it dry to impenetrable. I am in the former group and found t...moreThis is CS Lewis. If you like his nonfiction, you'll love this; if not, then you may find it dry to impenetrable. I am in the former group and found the book stimulating.
His writing is always refreshing, combining a conversational style with big words and bigger concepts. Having dictionaries of literary references and philosophical terms would have helped me at times. But figuring out what he means is half the fun.
But gems abound, such as this opine on modern, atheist books written by prominent philosophers (Shaw, Wells, Mill, Voltaire...):
"They were all entertaining; but hardly more. There seemed to be no depth in them. They were too simple. The roughness and density of life did not appear in their books."
That 'roughness and density of life' appears in his book.(less)
I appreciated this book and it made me think. (What more could you want?) The first half tells the story of Patagonia; I appreciated the fast narrativ...moreI appreciated this book and it made me think. (What more could you want?) The first half tells the story of Patagonia; I appreciated the fast narrative. The second half describes the philosophies that govern Patagonia today; this part made me think. Throughout, Chouinard's voice is clear and simple, thus effective at saying precisely what he wants. Its conversational, but that's what you'd want from a seasoned man with a story to tell.
The book made me think because Chouinard generalized about a group to which I belong: evangelical Christians. These people, to him, are the root of: environmental destruction, overly rigid modes of life, and the stupid refusal to transform anything. Why do my people have this reputation? Whether his views are reality or not, something causes them. Christians are supposed to reflect Christ's love for people and for the earth. When we carry around the reputational baggage Chouinard sees, we fail.
So in response, I'd like to let everyone know that I'm an evangelical Christian. I support giving money to environmental and conservational causes. My company will have beliefs. And I like to surf.(less)
I read Atlas Shrugged because too many people either asked me if I had or told me I had to.
This book is 1100 pages long. I read it fast. ...moreI read Atlas Shrugged because too many people either asked me if I had or told me I had to.
This book is 1100 pages long. I read it fast.
Somehow, Rand combines compelling characters and philosophy, creates an engaging plot around a railroad company, and writes enjoyable speeches. I guess it takes 1100 pages to do all that. But the way its written makes you turn the pages fast. The way her characters interact makes you want to agree with her philosophy. Even if its patently absurd, you have to make your own peace with 'the virtue of selfishness' after reading Rand. And even then, when you read her afterward ("And I mean it.") you have to wonder.
I highly recommend the book and welcome the chance to more intelligently debate the merits of Rand's thinking.
Also, a note to my classmates: This explains Gene.(less)
Les gave me this book. If you've seen him in person the book makes sense, and its almost enjoyable. The way he applies improvisation to life is helpfu...moreLes gave me this book. If you've seen him in person the book makes sense, and its almost enjoyable. The way he applies improvisation to life is helpful. When we have fun and embrace challenges in a spirit of play, we do much better than the compulsive-take-things-seriously people.
But if you haven't met Les, I'd imagine the book would come across as a little pushy and unclear. He needs to add an introduction: "Meet Les, who's insane, fun, irreverent, and a genius." After you read that, you'll understand his tone and content much more easily. Consider yourself helped, everyone.(less)
I enjoyed this book. Ferriss writes excitedly and demonstrates the kind of brilliance best described as ADHD. He's action oriented. The work integrate...moreI enjoyed this book. Ferriss writes excitedly and demonstrates the kind of brilliance best described as ADHD. He's action oriented. The work integrates a lot of different ideas, from productivity enhancers to how to start your own business. It gives you an outside-the-cubicle perspective.(less)
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