Consider This
Book review: Freedom’s Dominion: A Saga of White Resistance to Federal Power, by Jefferson R. Cowie The title lays bare the real issue: Parse the expression, and then consider the paradox of whether Freedom and Dominion can truly co-exist. In this book Jefferson Cowie illustrates—across centuries of historical fact—that use of the word freedom as …
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Book review: American Character: A History of the Epic Struggle Between Individual Liberty and the Common Good, by Colin Woodard This is required reading for anyone who wants to understand US history, as well as current day cultural and political conflicts. In this book, Colin Woodard provides anthropological ground truth recognizable by most anyone who’s …
Book review: Defeating the Dictators: How Democracy Can Prevail in the Age of the Strongman, by Charles Dunst In this book, Charles Dunst demonstrates why democracy is essential to all people’s well being and fulfillment. The author also points to how restoring democracy can be accomplished—in a world where authoritarianism is advancing in both world …
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Book Review: Plunder: Private Equity’s Plan to Pillage America, by Brendan Ballou Be prepared to be angry when you read this book. Many people are already aware that private equity companies are financial vultures and corporate cannibals. In this book Brendan Ballou draws the curtain back from the insatiable lust for financial gain of private …
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Book Review: The World After Capital, by Albert Wenger In this book Albert Wenger colors outside of the lines with convincing arguments and research. The author portrays the practical possibility of a near ideal world with compelling empirical evidence from today’s state of technology. Imagine an environment in which everyone is able to pursue their …
Book Review: The Man Who Broke Capitalism: How Jack Welch Gutted the Heartland and Crushed the Soul of Corporate America—and How to Undo His Legacy, by David Gelles If this book doesn’t boil your blood you’re part of the problem. In this account of the late GE CEO Jack Welch, David Gelles illuminates the essence …
Book Review: The WEIRDest People in the World: How the West Became Psychologically Peculiar and Particularly Prosperous, by: Joseph Henrich If you’ve ever wondered how Western culture, language, and technology came to have the prominent role it has worldwide, the answer may be literally WEIRD from a reading of Joseph Henrich’s book. WEIRD in this case …
This is a quick question with a probable quick answer. I started with a title of this post that was about battle lines, and those appear to be in flux. Upon further consideration, it appears to me that what’s altering the battle lines is the often fuzziness of issue definitions. Statements one would make today …
Update summary as of July 14, 2020: Items 1, 2, and 3 established. This is a list of recommended government and corporate policies as well as societal actions, which seem to me would benefit persons as individuals and improve the general welfare. Remove cannabis from Schedule I. Cannabis use may be part of a larger …
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To be clear, this is about those difficult conversations about correcting white privilege and the systemic oppression that routinely places persons of color into situations of existential gravity. The word “systemic” is not hyperbole or overwrought in this case—it’s merely accurate. We need to talk about it. In order to do talk about it successfully, …
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