Justin Monisit > Recent Status Updates

Yeah this book is BIASED as hell tbh, definitely shows its hand around this chapter. Not like I disagree with what it's saying (Kissinger is an awful human being), but it's not exactly providing any new insight

Yeah this book goes out of order to make a point, which I was able to find some inaccuracies already. But in general, it's fine.

Got to modern 20th century history (aka my wheelhouse).

It's one of those "yeah it's good" books. It doesn't tell me many new things that I didn't know already aside from cultural tidbits. I guess this is what happens when you go this broad

I don't know if I will be reading so much philosophy after this one tbh but like, there are some interesting ideas even though I disagree with basically everything

The ability of this book to be engaging and be boring as hell (intentionally and unintentionally) is something to be applauded. Each chapter is like a box full of chocolates: you never know what you're going to get

I think my actual biggest criticism is the pacing because it goes from a genuinely spoooopy scene of Halloway in the darkness and abandoning his men, and then it seems to go into footnote town and talk about the merits of documentaries and photographs, and then another footnote about someone named Hailey and then that scene is not resolved

This is something that I would only literally experience as an audiobook. It may be a bit dry, but it's informative (though it's not exactly dodging the "biased" accusations - but it's social science, so nothing is objective). I think it lays its thesis down explicitly and justifies it from taking a perspective. That segment on the Ph-US war was really sad.

Been generally agreeing with what this book is advocating for, but it's not doing a good job at steelmanning the argument against open borders. Still, worthwhile read even though I am starting to disagree with the author quite a bit, respectfully of course.

Taking a lot of notes in the process of reading this so I fully understand it, and I've come to the conclusion that Nietzsche comes across as a really big jerk in this. Disagree with basically everything this man has been saying

Story of Your Life: the movie adaptation is ever so slightly better. So much of this story was just bogged down with describing the logistics and the sequences of the child were a bit too long. It's just good. Don't know why this is the story that got the most attention, but I still enjoy the concept. 7/10

Coming to the conclusion that I just do not like full cast audiobooks. The ending was AWESOME. I love Terry Pratchett (Specifically Discworld) but cannot imagine listening to it. A lot of dialogue and often it was hard to keep track - the voices ironically make it more confusing. I don't know how I'm going to rate this, so I reserve the right to return to it.

It has its moments but...I don't get it... :(

I am not going to let philosophy defeat me >:(

It can't be just me right guys? This is just a bunch of Monty Python skits strung together.

Suffice to say that the way the book is written I have no idea what is going on but I understand the whole picture - it's like taking the abstract emotion, rather than the literal meaning. It works?

I feel like I'm taking crazy pills here with how much I am just not enjoying this (audio)book compared to everyone else. It just reads like a bunch of religious skits but there's not really a major plot as the characters have no motivation except to vibe. I don't get it...but I'll keep listening

Final hurrah as I end my fieldwork time - and it's good. There is some humor and philosophy as promised - but it's not gripping me as I hoped. Maybe it will pick up

I mean it's starting to pick up - because it's ending. It's just good, but I don't know how much I really enjoy it. What it has to say about propaganda and art is interesting, but other than that...it's fine

Feel like I'm missing something (in audiobook form?). I don't know, this book is just not very interesting even though people LOVE this book. It's just...fine. I get some of the humor but like it's not particularly funny to read.

Division by 0 - yeah... probably the worst story so far. Lovecraftian Math that drives someone insane? It had some interesting moments of empathy for someone losing their sanity, but overall, this was just not that interesting. Good ending though. 5/10

I agree with everything the book is saying thus far (had these opinions before reading, especially UBI and a shorter work week). But...this book doesn't steelman very well. It presents great ideas with evidence, but doesn't give voice to the other side. But still, UBI being a conservative idea still blows my mind...and the fact DEMOCRATS pushed against it. In 1970. Wild.

Krakauer's final words were surprisingly poignant - what really comes across as a true crime horror novel about a "religion" actually then vindicates faith in spite of it being used for evil deeds. And even though he describes Mormonism as an evil farce, this chapter tones it all down and applies to all faiths. It's a great way to end off actually.

I like to be an optimist - and I also really like to think some of these proposed ideas will happen in this country.

Considering my lack of interest in the subject matter, it was interesting and surprisingly emotional in the last essay. But this book was literally something to hold me over to pass time - and it definitely kept me occupied. Great writer though.

I had my doubts when this book was talking about the LDS's inception somehow relating to the Lafferty murders - but once I got to that I felt sick. Horrifying.

I get that this book goes hard on Mormonism - but these are facts, and they are upsetting and horrifying as to how this sham "religion" was founded and what it practices. It sent chills down my spine to read what was going on.

Only 20% in and I grimaced, winced, and was horrified at the LDS. Sure it's biased and seems like a takedown of the fundamentalist LDS but it's well deserved.