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Radical Humility: Essays on Ordinary Acts
This innovative essay collection explores the personal and civic function of humility from a range of popular and scholarly perspectives.
What does humility mean and why does it matter in an age of golden escalators and billionaire entrepreneurs? How can the cultivation of humility empower us to see success in failure, to fight against injustice, to stretch beyond our usual ways of thinking, and to foster a culture of listening in an age of digital shouting?
Edited by Rebekah Modrak and Jamie Vander Broek, Radical Humility: Essays on Ordinary Acts brings together contributions from scholars, psychologists, and artists to offer some answers to these questions. Contributions include:
Charles M. Blow on Trump’s arrogance
Lynette Clemetson on doing good journalism in an age of the attention economy
Tyler Denmead on whiteness’s lack of humility
Eranda Jayawickreme on learning how to admit what you don’t know
Having witnessed the personal and civic costs of narcissism and arrogance, these and other writers consider humility as a valuable process―a state of being―with the power to impact institutions, systems, families, and individuals, and give voice to the ways in which humility is practiced in many ordinary but extraordinary actions.
This groundbreaking collection deserves a place in the library of anyone seeking alternatives to a culture of self-aggrandizing excess.
What does humility mean and why does it matter in an age of golden escalators and billionaire entrepreneurs? How can the cultivation of humility empower us to see success in failure, to fight against injustice, to stretch beyond our usual ways of thinking, and to foster a culture of listening in an age of digital shouting?
Edited by Rebekah Modrak and Jamie Vander Broek, Radical Humility: Essays on Ordinary Acts brings together contributions from scholars, psychologists, and artists to offer some answers to these questions. Contributions include:
Charles M. Blow on Trump’s arrogance
Lynette Clemetson on doing good journalism in an age of the attention economy
Tyler Denmead on whiteness’s lack of humility
Eranda Jayawickreme on learning how to admit what you don’t know
Having witnessed the personal and civic costs of narcissism and arrogance, these and other writers consider humility as a valuable process―a state of being―with the power to impact institutions, systems, families, and individuals, and give voice to the ways in which humility is practiced in many ordinary but extraordinary actions.
This groundbreaking collection deserves a place in the library of anyone seeking alternatives to a culture of self-aggrandizing excess.
232 pages, Paperback
First published March 16, 2021
About the author
Rebekah Modrak
6 books15 followersRebekah Modrak is an artist and writer analyzing consumer culture and representation from unusual perspectives. She is co-editor of Radical Humility: Essays on Ordinary Acts in which twenty people (a philosopher, a psychologist, a cook, a journalist, a librarian, a marketing scholar, a lawyer ...) consider humility as a countermeasure to Trump's golden escalator. She's co-editor of Trouble in Censorville: The Far Right's Assault on Public Education and the Teachers Who Are Fighting Back. Alison Bechdel writes, of Trouble in Censorville, "Their powerful testimony is enraging—these vicious attacks are not what they signed up for. But it’s also profoundly uplifting, a vision of courage, resistance, and grace under fire that is a model for us all in these dark times." Modrak has also written articles for publications such as New Art Examiner, Media-N, The Conversation, Afterimage, Ms. Magazine, and Infinite Mile. She is Professor in the Stamps School of Art & Design at the University of Michigan. She lives in Ann Arbor where runs a local food truck series.
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May 1, 2021As I read this book, I began telling friends what I was reading, so important did I feel the book’s value in our current times.
I would then add,”It’s having the opposite effect, though. It’s making me feel so arrogant.”
I said this in jest, of course. Well, partly. Which is why Tyler Denmead’s poem—the second to last entry in the book is so powerful. Some of us can be humble. It’s another privilege we have.
There are many excellent essays here that will bring the reader to contemplate the many levels of humility, from Socratic philosophy to contemporary politics, manufacturing, and copyright legal battles.
Richard C. Boothman’s essay, “The Soul of Medicine” was powerful advocacy for an alternative means of conducting healthcare. I enjoyed the commentary on Jane Austen’s Emma by Valerie Tiberius and Melissa Koenig.
There is so much here—an analysis of trends, and whether humility is actually alien to USAmerican culture and politics, along with stories of everyday humility, purposeful, accidental, expected, unpredictable, yet accepted with grace and humor—that ring so familiar— and instructive.
I would then add,”It’s having the opposite effect, though. It’s making me feel so arrogant.”
I said this in jest, of course. Well, partly. Which is why Tyler Denmead’s poem—the second to last entry in the book is so powerful. Some of us can be humble. It’s another privilege we have.
There are many excellent essays here that will bring the reader to contemplate the many levels of humility, from Socratic philosophy to contemporary politics, manufacturing, and copyright legal battles.
Richard C. Boothman’s essay, “The Soul of Medicine” was powerful advocacy for an alternative means of conducting healthcare. I enjoyed the commentary on Jane Austen’s Emma by Valerie Tiberius and Melissa Koenig.
There is so much here—an analysis of trends, and whether humility is actually alien to USAmerican culture and politics, along with stories of everyday humility, purposeful, accidental, expected, unpredictable, yet accepted with grace and humor—that ring so familiar— and instructive.
April 26, 2021
Radical Humility is a collection of essays about humility. It is very easy to fall into the habit of being unappreciative. We are all guilty of it whether it is not appreciating where we come from culturally or geographically, who we have become based on our experiences, encounters we have with strangers or loved ones, times in which we jump to conclusions and don't consider all that happened, or even appreciating all that we have even if we don't necessarily need it.
The essays are written by a vast array of people with different backgrounds, professions, and cultural perspectives. Because of this we are able to experience humility through a lens (or lenses) we would never have been able to do previously. Some of the most impactful and meaningful pieces (for me) touch on lessons from great philosophers that teach us to reassess the way we experience the world around us.
This book is, far and away, one of the best books you will pick up this year. This book may actually change your life. This book is a "highly recommended" read for anyone seeking something pure, hopeful, and honest. This book has two fingers on the vitals of American humility.
Here are some of my personal favorites and the most impactful for me:
Escaping the Gravitational Pull of the Self - Jennifer Cole Wright
Loving Knowledge Together: Socratic Humility - Agnes Callard
A Library Is For You - Jamie Vander Broek
The Soul of Medicine - Richard C. Boothman
Admitting What You Don't Know is Hard To Do - Eranda Jayawickreme
Whiteness is Never Humble, Even When It Is - Tyler Denmead
The essays are written by a vast array of people with different backgrounds, professions, and cultural perspectives. Because of this we are able to experience humility through a lens (or lenses) we would never have been able to do previously. Some of the most impactful and meaningful pieces (for me) touch on lessons from great philosophers that teach us to reassess the way we experience the world around us.
This book is, far and away, one of the best books you will pick up this year. This book may actually change your life. This book is a "highly recommended" read for anyone seeking something pure, hopeful, and honest. This book has two fingers on the vitals of American humility.
Here are some of my personal favorites and the most impactful for me:
Escaping the Gravitational Pull of the Self - Jennifer Cole Wright
Loving Knowledge Together: Socratic Humility - Agnes Callard
A Library Is For You - Jamie Vander Broek
The Soul of Medicine - Richard C. Boothman
Admitting What You Don't Know is Hard To Do - Eranda Jayawickreme
Whiteness is Never Humble, Even When It Is - Tyler Denmead
December 26, 2021
I am not one who typically likes compilations of essays. This is a remarkable exception. These essays bring a wonderful bouquet of voices. I felt like I was able to look into the same house through so many different windows. Each storyteller provides a unique viewpoint on humility. The essays are uniformly well written. The styles and venues vary while the authors relay their own personal story as it relates to the issue of humility.
I recommend reading a few pages each day and allowing yourself to meditate on the topic of humility using each author’s voice as a steppingstone.
As a physician for whom humility and confidence are a dichotomy I must dance in every day, this little book helped me tremendously to be more mindful as I try to approach each patient and my life as a whole with both passion and humility.
Radical Humility: Essays on Ordinary Acts
I recommend reading a few pages each day and allowing yourself to meditate on the topic of humility using each author’s voice as a steppingstone.
As a physician for whom humility and confidence are a dichotomy I must dance in every day, this little book helped me tremendously to be more mindful as I try to approach each patient and my life as a whole with both passion and humility.
Radical Humility: Essays on Ordinary Acts
February 21, 2021
A diverse range of perspectives on humility, touching ancient philosophy, journalism, teaching, religion and so much more. Several contributions will stick with me a long time, especially the pieces touching on disability and how humility and pride don't have to be at odds. The tonal shifts between advice and philosophy and essay were sometimes a bit jarring, but overall I appreciated the broad conception.
March 16, 2021
What a fantastic book! We received it last week and the two of us have been sharing it back and forth. Not only is it powerful and provocative, but it has a nice undercurrent of humor. Haven't finished yet but enjoying the journey.
April 5, 2022
Humility is a virtue that we all should possess. Being humble means that you recognize the presence and importance of others. Understanding that everyone matters and that you are not the only worthy person is an important life skill. In this educational book, author Rebekah Modrak compiled a collection of essays about humility in different contexts. I love that the essays are by multiple writers from different backgrounds and career paths. By including more than 20 writers, Rebekah Modrak can apply diversity even as she spreads her message of humility. In addition, the reader can experience different cultures and viewpoints through this diverse collection.
The variance in delivering the self-effacement message makes reading this book exciting. Radical Humility: Essays on Ordinary Acts is for you if you enjoy deep discussions and texts that show you a different side of the world.
The writing style used by many of the writers is well-paced and informative without being dry. There is a bit of technical jargon within some chapters, though the reader can still understand the message. Readers will appreciate that the writers explain any foreign or technical term to clarify their message.
Radical Humility: Essays on Ordinary Acts is an excellent book for readers that like to read a section and reflect on the message. After reading this book, readers will have a vast amount of information to digest and reflect upon, evaluating their own level of modesty that they demonstrate or display to others in the different areas of their life. For example, how do those in government, heads in schools, and leaders at work show humility? Are you humble yourself? How do you keep yourself and those around you in check? Rebekah Modrak’s book is a fantastic resource for contemplating these questions.
The discussions by all the writers were insightful. However, there are some writers whose works stood out for me. Lynette Clemetson was among my favorites. The discussion on journalism in the era of Likes, Follows, and Shares was eye-opening, and the author shares the impact technology has on modern society. Russell Belk was another writer whose works I deeply connected with. The writer discussed Humility Vs. Humiliation in Old Age and this is a conversation that everyone should be having.
Radical Humility: Essays on Ordinary Acts is a collection of essays dealing with Social Philosophy and human interactions. It can be read as a self-help book for self-improvement and as a study of human nature.
The variance in delivering the self-effacement message makes reading this book exciting. Radical Humility: Essays on Ordinary Acts is for you if you enjoy deep discussions and texts that show you a different side of the world.
The writing style used by many of the writers is well-paced and informative without being dry. There is a bit of technical jargon within some chapters, though the reader can still understand the message. Readers will appreciate that the writers explain any foreign or technical term to clarify their message.
Radical Humility: Essays on Ordinary Acts is an excellent book for readers that like to read a section and reflect on the message. After reading this book, readers will have a vast amount of information to digest and reflect upon, evaluating their own level of modesty that they demonstrate or display to others in the different areas of their life. For example, how do those in government, heads in schools, and leaders at work show humility? Are you humble yourself? How do you keep yourself and those around you in check? Rebekah Modrak’s book is a fantastic resource for contemplating these questions.
The discussions by all the writers were insightful. However, there are some writers whose works stood out for me. Lynette Clemetson was among my favorites. The discussion on journalism in the era of Likes, Follows, and Shares was eye-opening, and the author shares the impact technology has on modern society. Russell Belk was another writer whose works I deeply connected with. The writer discussed Humility Vs. Humiliation in Old Age and this is a conversation that everyone should be having.
Radical Humility: Essays on Ordinary Acts is a collection of essays dealing with Social Philosophy and human interactions. It can be read as a self-help book for self-improvement and as a study of human nature.
January 31, 2021
“Radical Humility” edited by artist and writer, Rebekah Modrak and Jamie Vander Broek, art librarian at the University of Michigan, is a “feel good” assemblage of essays penned by an eclectic agglomeration of authors. One common theme unifying these contributions is the notion of humility. Thus we have, among others, philosophers evoking the Socratic principle of humility in acknowledging the gaps in our knowledge, scholars extolling as “making failure”, the unfortunate efforts in 3D printing endeavours, and film makers reminding their viewers about the contributions made by “losers”, which at times even tower over the virtues of winners. Unlike the run of the mill self help books that specialise in flogging dead horses, yet professing the discovery of an earth shattering piece of wisdom or principle, “Radical Humility” leaves it all to the reader, preferring to just inform her on the advantages of being humble, by taking recourse to real life examples.
The book kicks off with an inspirational essay titled “Free yourself by choosing the plain crackers“ by Rebekah Modrak. Fleeing a stifling university culture in Ann Arbor, Modrak spends five weeks in the nondescript town of Aurora in Nebraska. Antithetical to the ubiquity of materialism, Aurora seems to be an exercise in minimalism. While the buzzword in the Ann Arbor was “visibility”, Aurora seems to revel in the concept of “anonymity.” Armed with a University Grant, Modrak embarks on a 5 week residency on a farm, as a part of which she conducts a series of interviews with the townsfolk. Carpenters, custodians, construction workers, senators and mayors alike patiently set out their views and silently glide out of the room with no care or concern for titles or epithets. Leading a life of absolute frugality, the people of Aurora value one tenet of human nature over all else, humility.
Philosopher Agnes Callard and poet Troy Jollimore, both draw parallels – in different essays – to Socrates and his mode of contemplating life to drive home the power of humility. History’s premier philosopher adopted a singularly unique method of passive interrogation, to supplement, and supplant both his as well as his interlocutor’s understanding on various aspects of human knowledge. The unfortunate yet privileged subjects of Socrates often found themselves in a state of “aporia”, or confusion, from which there was no retreat. And yet, after each episode, they all left the scene that much wiser. Jollimore in particular, highlights the perils that would emanate from harbouring a misguided notion that one’s opinion, even on complex matters trumps that of those around them. In fact, in a 2015 poll conducted in the United States, more than thirty percent of Republican Primary voters and almost twenty percent of their Democratic counterparts confidently reiterated their support for a bombing of Agrabah. Agrabah, by the way is the fictional nation that is the creation of Disney in their animated film, Aladdin.
In a profoundly moving piece, Richard C. Boothman, former trial lawyer and current Chief Risk Officer for the University of Michigan Health System, explains the importance of and pre-requisite for humility in the healthcare system on the part of both care givers and patients. Highlighting two tragic cases, Boothman underscores the invaluable power and potential of humility to not just forgive, but to heal as well. Lamenting the “deny and defend” culture that has permeated the world of medical care, Boothman bemoans the fact that healthcare has constructed a fortress with its own waiting rooms, its own language and an inimitable social system that encourages usage of buzz words such as “patient engagement.” Ushering in a radical change, Boothman and the University of Michigan decided to bare their hearts and souls to the patients and admit to inadvertent human errors that had calamitous consequences to not just the patients, but their families as well. This astonishingly benevolent decision however created immense backlash, as Boothman informs his reader. While the President of the American Medical Association lampooned Boothman’s actions as “reckless”, a group of famous scholars called the approach, “an improbable risk management strategy.” Monumental testimony to the altruistic strides which healthcare yet has to take.
Lynette Clemetson, Director of Wallace House, University of Michigan, in her essay, “Journalism in an era of likes, follows, and shares” underscores the need for unobtrusiveness in a reporter that would lend an element of humility and dignity to his/her work. Drawing inspiration from legends in the business such as Steven Strasser, David Fahrenthold, Gwen Ifil, Michele Norris, Robin Toner and Michel Martin, Clemetson emphasizes the need to be humble and yet hold on to what one values in an uncompromising manner. “Don’t get in the way of your story”, “Hold onto what you value”, and “check the small details” are her key takeaways.
In a shot, albeit powerful contribution, Mickey Duzyj, the creator of the Netflix documentary series, ‘Losers’, highlights the precocious contributions that are made by athletes who in their own sporting career suffered meltdowns at various stages that ensured that success forever eluded them. French golfer Jean Van De Velde, made a capital meal of his chances at the 1999 Open, thereby covering himself in perpetual infamy. However, banishing this bitter memory away, he championed a more noble cause, and in the process raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for impoverished children in the capacity of a UNICEF Ambassador. Similarly, Surya Bonaly, a black figure skater became an outcast following her tantrums after finishing second in the 1994 World Championships. Now a paragon of humility, Bonaly dons the mantle of a mentor by taking charge of young athletes of colour. She always warns her students that an “obsession towards medals can destroy them.”
“Radical Humiliation” is a modest, unpretentious and honest collection of simple thoughts all of which converge towards one overarching principle. Inculcating and implementing the quality of humility. As Russell Belk, the Kraft Foods Canada Chair in Marketing, and York University Distinguished Research Professor, says in his essay, “humility is largely voluntary; humiliation is largely involuntary. Humility is a choice made with dignity. Humiliation is imposed from without as a result of callousness and prejudice.”
We agree!
(Radical Humility will be released by Belt Publishing on the 16th of March, 2021)
The book kicks off with an inspirational essay titled “Free yourself by choosing the plain crackers“ by Rebekah Modrak. Fleeing a stifling university culture in Ann Arbor, Modrak spends five weeks in the nondescript town of Aurora in Nebraska. Antithetical to the ubiquity of materialism, Aurora seems to be an exercise in minimalism. While the buzzword in the Ann Arbor was “visibility”, Aurora seems to revel in the concept of “anonymity.” Armed with a University Grant, Modrak embarks on a 5 week residency on a farm, as a part of which she conducts a series of interviews with the townsfolk. Carpenters, custodians, construction workers, senators and mayors alike patiently set out their views and silently glide out of the room with no care or concern for titles or epithets. Leading a life of absolute frugality, the people of Aurora value one tenet of human nature over all else, humility.
Philosopher Agnes Callard and poet Troy Jollimore, both draw parallels – in different essays – to Socrates and his mode of contemplating life to drive home the power of humility. History’s premier philosopher adopted a singularly unique method of passive interrogation, to supplement, and supplant both his as well as his interlocutor’s understanding on various aspects of human knowledge. The unfortunate yet privileged subjects of Socrates often found themselves in a state of “aporia”, or confusion, from which there was no retreat. And yet, after each episode, they all left the scene that much wiser. Jollimore in particular, highlights the perils that would emanate from harbouring a misguided notion that one’s opinion, even on complex matters trumps that of those around them. In fact, in a 2015 poll conducted in the United States, more than thirty percent of Republican Primary voters and almost twenty percent of their Democratic counterparts confidently reiterated their support for a bombing of Agrabah. Agrabah, by the way is the fictional nation that is the creation of Disney in their animated film, Aladdin.
In a profoundly moving piece, Richard C. Boothman, former trial lawyer and current Chief Risk Officer for the University of Michigan Health System, explains the importance of and pre-requisite for humility in the healthcare system on the part of both care givers and patients. Highlighting two tragic cases, Boothman underscores the invaluable power and potential of humility to not just forgive, but to heal as well. Lamenting the “deny and defend” culture that has permeated the world of medical care, Boothman bemoans the fact that healthcare has constructed a fortress with its own waiting rooms, its own language and an inimitable social system that encourages usage of buzz words such as “patient engagement.” Ushering in a radical change, Boothman and the University of Michigan decided to bare their hearts and souls to the patients and admit to inadvertent human errors that had calamitous consequences to not just the patients, but their families as well. This astonishingly benevolent decision however created immense backlash, as Boothman informs his reader. While the President of the American Medical Association lampooned Boothman’s actions as “reckless”, a group of famous scholars called the approach, “an improbable risk management strategy.” Monumental testimony to the altruistic strides which healthcare yet has to take.
Lynette Clemetson, Director of Wallace House, University of Michigan, in her essay, “Journalism in an era of likes, follows, and shares” underscores the need for unobtrusiveness in a reporter that would lend an element of humility and dignity to his/her work. Drawing inspiration from legends in the business such as Steven Strasser, David Fahrenthold, Gwen Ifil, Michele Norris, Robin Toner and Michel Martin, Clemetson emphasizes the need to be humble and yet hold on to what one values in an uncompromising manner. “Don’t get in the way of your story”, “Hold onto what you value”, and “check the small details” are her key takeaways.
In a shot, albeit powerful contribution, Mickey Duzyj, the creator of the Netflix documentary series, ‘Losers’, highlights the precocious contributions that are made by athletes who in their own sporting career suffered meltdowns at various stages that ensured that success forever eluded them. French golfer Jean Van De Velde, made a capital meal of his chances at the 1999 Open, thereby covering himself in perpetual infamy. However, banishing this bitter memory away, he championed a more noble cause, and in the process raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for impoverished children in the capacity of a UNICEF Ambassador. Similarly, Surya Bonaly, a black figure skater became an outcast following her tantrums after finishing second in the 1994 World Championships. Now a paragon of humility, Bonaly dons the mantle of a mentor by taking charge of young athletes of colour. She always warns her students that an “obsession towards medals can destroy them.”
“Radical Humiliation” is a modest, unpretentious and honest collection of simple thoughts all of which converge towards one overarching principle. Inculcating and implementing the quality of humility. As Russell Belk, the Kraft Foods Canada Chair in Marketing, and York University Distinguished Research Professor, says in his essay, “humility is largely voluntary; humiliation is largely involuntary. Humility is a choice made with dignity. Humiliation is imposed from without as a result of callousness and prejudice.”
We agree!
(Radical Humility will be released by Belt Publishing on the 16th of March, 2021)
February 25, 2022
I don’t think I’ve ever considered humility so in depth or from so many perspectives before. This book of essays explores various definitions of and views on humility through life examples experienced by, observed by, or dictated to each essay writer. I found the essay lengths to be good to break reading down in sessions an essay or a several at a time.
July 10, 2023
Another fabulous read from Belt Publishing! Radical Humility Essays on Ordinary Acts Edited by Rebekah Modrak and Jamie Vander Broek! Food for thought on bringing humility into books for kids. Humility is a strength, admitting and accepting being wrong or failure provide opportunities for growth.
March 2, 2022
Loved the art work and the many varied stories about humility. It was a fun read that also helped me. Highly recommend.
September 22, 2022
I’ve never been one to read collections of essays, but wow I really enjoyed these. From health to journalism to relationships, humility is something we could all use a little work on.
March 7, 2023
“Let us make room in ourselves for others, becoming a rich new layer of structure in which others can rise.”
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews