Sandel x Lasch crossover to criticize progressive liberalism. What’s not to love about it? On a more serious note: Important book with many good and cSandel x Lasch crossover to criticize progressive liberalism. What’s not to love about it? On a more serious note: Important book with many good and correct observations—and even more bad recommendations (luckily those aren’t important to the argument of the book).
As promised, Brennan provides a strong (almost devastating) critique of democracy—and the theories surrounding it. It is a great read and Brennan is aAs promised, Brennan provides a strong (almost devastating) critique of democracy—and the theories surrounding it. It is a great read and Brennan is a witty writer, but after all the book appears to be unbalanced (his defense and outline of epistocracy only makes up for tiny part of the book) and incredibly repetitive (certain statistics, thought experiments, and quotes appear 3-4 times throughout the 250 pages). ...more
It really feels bad to write such a bad review, but this book really deserves it. Attempting to carve out deep, profound insights about the meaning ofIt really feels bad to write such a bad review, but this book really deserves it. Attempting to carve out deep, profound insights about the meaning of life, the author ends up repeating shallow, pathetic clichés that even appear cringeworthy at times. One of the worst books about the Camino. Do not bother!...more
You get what you signed up for. Without a doubt, antifa is an extremist organization that employs terror-style violence, doxxing, and intimidation. AnYou get what you signed up for. Without a doubt, antifa is an extremist organization that employs terror-style violence, doxxing, and intimidation. And the book is valuable in showcasing their practices. However, I don’t see them ending the civilized world, like Ngo suggests. So, read the whole thing and water it down with common sense. ...more
At the beginning, Gaiman cites Chesterton...and that’s basically everything you need to know about “Coraline”: »Fairytales are more than true: not bec At the beginning, Gaiman cites Chesterton...and that’s basically everything you need to know about “Coraline”: »Fairytales are more than true: not because they tell us the dragons exist, but because they tell us to dragons can be beaten«
Wonderfully written with the typical Gaiman wit....more
if you take away all the evaluative parts and understand the desperate attempts of the “everybody else is hitler” framing of the beta male midwit jourif you take away all the evaluative parts and understand the desperate attempts of the “everybody else is hitler” framing of the beta male midwit journo author, this book provides a good overview of thiel’s career. I wished to have more details on his character and business thinking but that’s something that is hard to judge from afar, I guess. The author admitted, he only met Thiel once. LOL
I wonder who decided that this would actually be suitable for publication. Terrible journalistic standards....more
Of course, these are ad hominem attacks. But that’s kind of the point of the book, right? It further adds to the debate on the ideological bias in theOf course, these are ad hominem attacks. But that’s kind of the point of the book, right? It further adds to the debate on the ideological bias in the academy and thus stands in line with the works of Scruton and others. Articulated in a clear (and often quite funny) manner, the book never pretends to be balanced or unbiased—but points out a lot of things that philosophers kindly ignore. And frankly, I was shocked by Lakatos’ past!...more
After an admittedly great introduction, possibly the worst pseudo-philosophy I have ever read. Perfect for those who like conceptual analysis without After an admittedly great introduction, possibly the worst pseudo-philosophy I have ever read. Perfect for those who like conceptual analysis without *any* interest in philosophical insights. I can truly understand why Heidegger abandoned his own project......more
Some interesting insights and distinction. But ultimately falls into the trap of making grand claims about philosophy, politics, and economics withoutSome interesting insights and distinction. But ultimately falls into the trap of making grand claims about philosophy, politics, and economics without having an adequate understanding of any of the fields....more
Hard to rate this “collection of thoughts” (rather than a book). Because it is very tedious to read as it follows no structure whatsoever. Some of theHard to rate this “collection of thoughts” (rather than a book). Because it is very tedious to read as it follows no structure whatsoever. Some of the nuggets in there, however, make it worth the 1-2 hours that you need to browse through it....more
I have philosophically very different view in a sense that I think a post-privacy world would actually enable more Liberty than a privacy-obsessed socI have philosophically very different view in a sense that I think a post-privacy world would actually enable more Liberty than a privacy-obsessed society. But ultimately I also installed the full package of privacy protection...so maybe Carissa convinced me after all....more
Maybe a good gift for “that one friend” that is very bad with money. But redundant for those who know the basics of behavioral economics and personal Maybe a good gift for “that one friend” that is very bad with money. But redundant for those who know the basics of behavioral economics and personal finance.
Good on the fundraising and donor relation part. But that’s not everything a non-profit or NGO does. So it’s a handy supplementary reading to skim oveGood on the fundraising and donor relation part. But that’s not everything a non-profit or NGO does. So it’s a handy supplementary reading to skim over. But it overall lacks substance. ...more
A hotchpotch of interesting ideas, yet it doesn’t live up to the promise. Some chapter might be worthwhile (the ones that actually deal with deflationA hotchpotch of interesting ideas, yet it doesn’t live up to the promise. Some chapter might be worthwhile (the ones that actually deal with deflationary forces and it’s relationship with debt) but overall there is a lack of substance and analytic rigor to the argument.
Instead of buying the book, I recommend to listen to various podcasts where Booth appears and makes this argument. The book doesn’t add much value at the margin. ...more
It would have already been an ambitious project to write about just one of these deep, interesting, and eccentric thinkers (Arendt, Weil, Beauvoir, RaIt would have already been an ambitious project to write about just one of these deep, interesting, and eccentric thinkers (Arendt, Weil, Beauvoir, Rand) tackled in this book. That we get all four is well-meaning but comes at certain expenses (e.g. that Arendt appears notoriously underexplored). Nevertheless, it’s entertaining and since I adore all four of them, not much could go wrong. ...more
As a German living in Minsk I can relate to her stories. Although the writing is clumsy at times, I really enjoyed the book. It’s a likable and authenAs a German living in Minsk I can relate to her stories. Although the writing is clumsy at times, I really enjoyed the book. It’s a likable and authentic collection of anecdotes; yet, if you search for sociological and political insights into Belarus, you might wanna look somewhere else!...more
Advise: Read the last chapter and see if there is *anything* new that you would like to dive into. This is a very basic introduction to the topic and Advise: Read the last chapter and see if there is *anything* new that you would like to dive into. This is a very basic introduction to the topic and will be redundant to many—but those how start with the topic might find it valuable. Hence my advice!...more
the culture war stuff bores me. the cherry-picking of obscure examples feels disingenuous. BUT while I found some chapters redundant and too long, I tthe culture war stuff bores me. the cherry-picking of obscure examples feels disingenuous. BUT while I found some chapters redundant and too long, I think Murray is…fundamentally right. that one I have to give him....more
Accessible, rigorous, and witty introduction to meta-science. Our social trust in Science(tm) needs to be grounded in the scientific method as well asAccessible, rigorous, and witty introduction to meta-science. Our social trust in Science(tm) needs to be grounded in the scientific method as well as the sociology of how science is practiced by its practitioners. And especially the latter has gone astray—turning respectable fields such as psychology into a laughing stock.
I am not fully convinced by the “Open Science” approach that the author advances; but in times of eroding trust in actual knowledge, stating the problem as clearly as this book does (not that it would be somewhat new though), is a great way to start. ...more
I was reviewing the market for introductory books on Bitcoin (to recommend to friends and students) and so I thought Gigi’s 21 Lessons would be the naI was reviewing the market for introductory books on Bitcoin (to recommend to friends and students) and so I thought Gigi’s 21 Lessons would be the natural starting point. However, I was rather disappointed by the way this book is set up, especially the first 7 lessons on the philosophy of Bitcoin.
While I agree with everything he says, I think this book is a missed opportunity. Won’t win over a skeptic or give sufficient substance to new Bitcoiners....more
I really tried to love this book. And it had almost everything going for it: smart jokes, brilliantly crafted prose, timely content presented in the mI really tried to love this book. And it had almost everything going for it: smart jokes, brilliantly crafted prose, timely content presented in the most hilariously absurd way. But the writing becomes insanely repetitive over time and the plot so ridiculous that one stops to care at one point. This ruins the whole experience. Individual chapters remain 5/5. Overall 2/5....more
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