I sent my Recommendations post as a response to something on Facebook. In the aftermath, it made me realize some things. The false consensus effect which is why we are tempted to think others agree with us about political stances is what also causes us to expect others we like like the same books, TV shows, etc. The post…
But reading what you hate helps you refine what it is you value, whether it’s a style, a story line or an argument. Because books are long-form, they require more of the writer and the reader than a talk show or Facebook link. You can finish watching a movie in two hours and forget about…
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates My rating: 5 of 5 stars This book is a couple hundred pounds of chains bearing down on the reader. A father who writes about the race in America in the time just before #BlackLivesMatter attempts to put into words what it means. This stands out as…
In the 90s, Lucasfilm strongly pushed the Star Wars novels. Timothy Zahn wrote the Thrawn Trilogy. I probably bought as many as 50 Star Wars books wanting to read about what what happened next, before, and during the movies. I suspect the strength of all our interest is what made Episodes I-III possible. And Disney…
(Original ; First Quarter ; Half ; Third-Quarter ; Final) For the first quarter, I should have progressed about 25%. So, let’s see where I am. Read 52 books. First quarter goal: 13 books. I have actually finished 12. Hit 20,000 pages. First quarter goal: 5,000 pages. I have actually finished 3,408. Read politically. Total 10. First quarter goal: 2.5 books. A Nation…
Philip K. Dick Is Dead, Alas by Michael Bishop My rating: 5 of 5 stars An excellent Dickian story in the irreverence that he would appreciate. The current fear, uncertainty, and doubt about the current environment made this a compelling read. The parallels between the Richard Nixon character and US politics reminded me of the…
The Google Photos Rediscover This Day feature felt I needed reminding of today five years ago. It is true that I took some photos (1,2,3) while on a beach trip. And it is also true that I cherish these photos. But it is also true I cherish them because they make me weepy and sad.…
Every time I go through movies I have bought and try to redeem the digital copy, I suspect the companies make the process so difficult that no one will actually do it. Companies like the gift card racket because they get the money and recipients hold on to them for far too long. Movie companies charge…
What are the “Top 5 Books” that have molded your mindset and outlook on life? Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness: introduced me to behavioral economics and helped me learn how to disrupt obsessing over indecision. Loneliness: Human Nature and the Need for Social Connection: counter-intuitively it exposed me to figuring out that…