Andrew Benesh > Recent Status Updates

The essay on how we make Indiana the influence of humans and history in landscaping is brilliant and thought provoking. The essay the author exposes the political underpinnings of "natural" as an idea and how it perpetuates colonialist narratives resonates.

The first two essays provide an interesting analysis of wasteland and degradation. I feel like the conceptualizations here could be applied to other domains with great effect. The recognition of the historical forces of power, class, and aesthetics is appreciated.

Done! The last chapters on reading and sleep were very fun, of not also horrifying.

The chapter on picky eating as a modern phenomenon was surprising; I'd never thought about how this might have changed over time. The antipathy towards milk and for us truly bizarre in retrospect

The milestones section is surprisingly deconstructive. In particular the analysis of crawling/ walking and potty training timelines was something I haven't seen presented as clearly before. They raise interesting questions about parenting strategies.

The history of parents advice chapter feels a little short; is love to see more on the regression to moralistic ideas that seem to dominate modern parenting again. I appreciate the way the author highlights the repetitive history of men blaming women for child problems that result from following the instructions of men. Also, WTF Rousseau.

I'd also forgotten how fraudulent Watson was.

The chapter on birth is fascinating and horrifying. I wish there were more attention to continued disparities in birth care and a little more on modern developments, but the accounting of historical sexism in maternal death rates was still well put together. The biographical bits about major figures are quite entertaining, and a reminder of just how far we've come.

This is fun so far, even if it's clear the author is taking some liberties with source material. The chapter on the origins of the idea of parenting (vs child rearing by 3rd parties) manages to stay light and lively even when discussing atrocities like exposing and child trading. I like the reflections on drug use - imagine giving children cocaine, opium, phenobarbital, alcohol, and valium for routine care today!

Done! I like the story wrap up, and am excited to see where this might go in further novels. The fight itself was a little choppy, but in the end the focus was more about the relationships than the fight. I appreciate the understanding of the idea of community and belonging that's captured here.

Delta's turn was surprising. I'm honestly surprised this didn't escalate to cenote sex, given how Lost Stars played out. The book leans hard on the honest scoundrel tropes, but I like it.

I find Izzy very relatable. The intense focus on their relationship is something that I'm enjoying. While we could get a fuller picture from more perspectives, this really keeps the primary questions of "home" and "connection" alive. Oga and Dok are characters Is like to see explored more; right now they feel like rehashed roles from other SW media. I get Belen's worries. Tap is great. Damar got what was comin to him

The character work here is excellent, same the perspective switching device pays off. The worldbuilding is just rich enough to create the sense of a lived place. The nods to other parts of the franchise are well paced and not distracting. It feels like Lost Stars, but from an underworld perspective.

I like these kids.

Done! The last chapters suffer greatly from Wright's tendency to make grand statements with little substance. His analysis of democracy and capitalism feels at once very broad and very shallow; your feel like he understands that the great depression was bad, but doesn't know why. The racism and xenophobia is quite pronounced. As utopian and urban planning books go, this one is not inspiring

Just for the record, FLW was advocating for universal free healthcare I'm 1954.

Of course, he also wants to abolish universities, restructure schools as vaguely structured apprenticeships, and install architects as the primary governing professionals.

It's complicated.

This writing style is jarring and unpleasant, bit there are neat ideas sprinkled within. Weekday I wouldn't give to have a real editor work on this rather than honoring FLW's narcissistic tendencies.

The critique of skyscraper life feels modern. The offhanded racial comments do not.

The meditations on artificial social structures (via "rent") resonates, but Wright send to be stuck in hyperbole. I came tell if it's a rhetorical device (ask for $100 if you need $10) or if he's just not thinking things through. I still want more concrete ideas.

To say he had some opinions about capitalism and centralism in City planning would be an understatement. I get the cave wall metaphor, but I feel he's milking it a bit. The rampant rhetorical questions and lack of concrete statements in this introduction section work as an aspirational message, but feel like empty writing.

Reading the preambles today is difficult. On one hand, Wright's thoughts on the importance of nature to man's soul and his stories that lack of shared cultural identity in the US could undermine democracy are ideas with exploring. But his xenophobia is laid on THICK, especially as he struggles with the button of cultural identity. I have to remind myself this was written pre-1950.

Done! A great ending to the trilogy that retains the nuance and emotional honesty of the preceding books!

The body swapping is getting crazy!

This plot is moving fast, but feels a bit convoluted. I see the effort to grow everything together and clean up loose ends, but it feels a little needlessly complicated. Stool, it's fun stuff!

This picks up right where the last book left off, and keeps the energy going!