I'm sorry. I cannot partake in such blatant narcissism, stubbornness, insecurity, austerity, immaturity and game theorist rhetoric. People are not the...moreI'm sorry. I cannot partake in such blatant narcissism, stubbornness, insecurity, austerity, immaturity and game theorist rhetoric. People are not the sum of one's simpleton judgements. Nor do words ever spring truer than actions. I refuse to be a part of this propaganda machine. To read this is to pollute one's sensibilities in the power of love, community, accountability and democracy. To adhere to this is to embrace fascism as history has shown us because her most avid supporters helped fuel her success as well as the black list of the Red Scare. (less)
The premise sounded interesting enough. And when I learned this professor of behavioral economics was also a researcher for the Fed, (Translation: He'...moreThe premise sounded interesting enough. And when I learned this professor of behavioral economics was also a researcher for the Fed, (Translation: He's paid to promote personal failure = personal responsibilty and that capitalism is good for all because the Fed pays me to say so.) I anticipated a very Game Theorist/Freakonomics rhetoric. Benefit of doubt left me undeterred. With discernment, even truth can be discovered amidst lies. I opened to the introduction and read a list of what are obviously rhetorical questions presented to an illiterate non-analytical reader, who before him, unequivocally never fully pondered the likes of these "deep behavioral issues." And then he follows up with arrogantly promosing the reader that by the end of this book "you'll know" obviously with dismissive authority of a fundamentalist zealot "the answers to these questions and many other questions that have implications for your personal life, for your business life, and for the way you look at the world."
Wow, I'm sorry, is this a self-help book? Did I stumble into the land of life coaches who present their own ideology and claim prosperity in following their way, truth and life?
"Understanding the impact of the Ten Commandments in curbing dishonesty might help prevent the next Enron-like fraud."
That doubtfuls in Biblical proportions.
Grab up a sample & refer to the Intro.
Rhetorical Question #1 Answer: From childhood throughout our lives, we are constantly inundated with commercials and advertisements (as well as drugs within our foods) to help you salivate over the most unhealthy foods. And while empty of nuition these foods are, our body's biological need for actual nutrition tricks us into begging for more. On the other hand, there is no cheerleaders for broccoli. There is no one insisting on a wholesome meal made from scratch. If you decide to go outside, turn on the radio, watch television or surf the web, is it really a surprise to you that you cannot keep to a diet? Refer to books Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser and The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan.
Rhetorical Question #2 Answer: Overconsumption is the byproduct of being part of a capitalistic society and does not advocate individuality nor personal responsibility as many economists in the Fed's pocket would like you to believe. Reference Carter's Malaise speech and you will understand the rational foresight in his words. Sustainability is the antithesis of the capitalist creed. All commercials and ads are designed to make you believe true happiness lies in you consuming the next new stupid piece of shit.
Rhetorical Question #3 Answer: Aspirin comes originally from the Bayer Co. Their first marketable product was heroine. They only vilified heroine after it was fully accessible on the black market and no longer taxable. It had nothing to do with the health and well being of U.S. Citizens. So if Bayer doesnt give a rats ass about whether you live or die, of course they would prefer you bought the more expensive version of their aspirin product. Refer to This is Your Country on Drugs by Ryan Grim
Rhetorical Question #4 Answer: There is absolutely no statistical evidence supporting a higher or lower moral aptitude as a result of religiously fundamentalist thinking. Refer to Chaper 6 & 7 of The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins.(less)
Goodreads When I picked up Berman's book called Terror and Liberalism, I stupidly thought that's what he would be addressing. Instead he makes the almo...moreGoodreads When I picked up Berman's book called Terror and Liberalism, I stupidly thought that's what he would be addressing. Instead he makes the almost factual correlation of terror and Islam as well as the incongruous association with right wing rhetoric with liberalism. When he suggests that the "Terror War" is not an imperialist war nor a clash of civilizations, I hoped he would of come to a more evolved asertation, which is that it is purely a war over resources and whoever has those resources, gains their freedom. (less)
Guillebeau is quick to tell you his expectations for his readers; that you be open-minded and willing to challenge authority, that sort of thing. But...more Guillebeau is quick to tell you his expectations for his readers; that you be open-minded and willing to challenge authority, that sort of thing. But you have to read 40 pages in before he adds what he thinks is an unlikely group to even lay their hands on his book, the poor, as if to say that simply being an American omits you from that category. He writes "I realize that there are plenty of people out there who are not able to travel or make the same choices I can. Having lived in the poorest countries in the world for four years, I know many of them personally. Most of the people I interact with now, however, as well as most readers of this book, don't fit into that category...... they 'wish' they could do something but feel unable... They have chosen to prioritize other things above their stated desire."
150 million people live in poverty in America according to the last census. And what I mean by poverty, I mean unfit shelter, not enough food, too little or no income. I guess none of them read?
The problem lies not in our inability to be individuals and refuse to conform, the issue of our generation is in the growing economic apartheid that has taken root in our nation. Guillebeau doesn't honestly want you to become more open-minded and willing to challenge authority because the result of such action may inevitably lead you into a progression of your analytical thinking that you will never be able to ignore again.
"The greatest enemies of mankind are the same as they have been for at least two millennia: Wealth and poverty, followed by abrahamic religion. Some say government, and to a certain extent I agree, but what gives the government power over the masses? Corruption and power through wealthy influence, and abrahamic religion to buy our minds." Chad P. Morrison(less)
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