why don't you write book reviews or those blurbs that show up on the back covers or inside sleeves saying how great the books are? Do they pay people for that stuff? lol

I'd love to do that.

As it happens I did apply for a library job today.

wikeyb9m3bek @ 18/7/2019 5:25

I'm going to start Utopia for Realists next, by Rutger Bregman. I can't say I'm looking forward to it, but I'm gonna do my best to put my biases aside and be open minded.

Not nearly as bad as I was expecting, and even quite interesting in places. I agreed with nearly everything he said in his introduction, which was a pleasant surprise.

He made a decent case for universal basic income and offered up some interesting evidence. I had no idea that Nixon almost introduced UBI in the US.

However he floundered on his case for open borders, which was easily the worst part of the book. It was no surprise that UBI is his main area of expertise, because his lack of research and evidence for open borders really showed. His evidence seemed to amount to "Some economists say open borders will be good" therefore we should do it.

I don't even think he made enough of a case for UBI honestly, as interesting as it was. I'm no economist, but he didn't address inflation once, and I don't even recall him explaining where the money would come from. Unless he meant we should tax the rich and generate it that way. That's definitely not been tried before :lolok:

Still, it was a good read. I disagreed with a lot, and tbh think his ideas are naive, dangerous even. But I feel like I understand where people like Rutger are coming from a lot more now.

Also bonus points for him citing Bertrand Russell all the time. Bertrand Russell is awesome, and incidentally is who I'm reading next. I got his History of Western Philosophy. Should be interesting, though maybe a little heavy.

I didn't get the library job btw. Somehow I don't think telling them I read a lot was enough of a qualifier for their question as to why I was suitable for the job.

NVM

What is everyone else reading these days?

Come work for me buddy boy

I just started the Goldfinch!

Also reading The Looming Tower and Terror Courts on the side. What about you, Wikey?

on book 4 of the dragoon tattoo books now. Still liking them. New writer is a little different than the original guy.

@Mads: Started History of Western Philosophy by Bertrand Russell. Goldfinch and Looming Tower sound interesting, may have to look them up.

@Primate: I've heard of that series, been curious to check it out but haven't got around to it yet!

I'm reading Game of Thrones right now. I'm about 2/3 of the way through the 2nd book. I quite enjoy them.

Mittens @ 9/8/2019 10:53

I'm reading Game of Thrones right now. I'm about 2/3 of the way through the 2nd book. I quite enjoy them.

I read those a long time ago. They were good, but had really long dry stretches in them. Especially the last one