2 Minute Book Reviews
I’ve already reviewed two of these books elsewhere so you can see the links on those to catch up on my thoughts. But I thought I would include them here in my monthly cluster of four. I’m starting to fall a bit behind on my schedule but I’ll catch up. You’ll see.
European Dream (A+)
Again, I know I’ve said this a lot in these book reviews over the past few months, but I think this is one of the best books I’ve ever read and one that everyone should read. Jeremy Rifkin (an American) nails the U.S. to the door with facts about how much we’ve devolved as a nation over the last few years and challenges the commonly held view that America is the greatest country in the world. The book is challenging, thoughtful, and historical. Rifkin always couches his arguments in fact with a thorough background in the historical context of each theme. He then presents what the European Union is doing that makes it closer to the “American Dream”. But he doesn’t romanticize the EU or demonize the US. He shares with the reader both the strengths and weaknesses and attempts to paint a better way forward (which I happen to buy into despite my better judgment). It’s a book both conservatives and liberal should read because it cuts away at both of their political posturing. If you think America is fading and going to the bad place (whatever you think the reasons are) you need to pick up this book and give it a chance. It’s really, really good.
An Emergent Manifesto of Hope - review previously done here (B+)
The Cult of the Amateur (C)
The book has one major premise. Namely that amateur content is killing the web. That the culture of amateurs who upload videos, illegally distribute music, tag photos, write blogs, and give social commentary . . . as a collected group . . . are killing the internet and the very social fabric of our lives. I agree and disagree with his premise. I agree because I think because of the easiness of creating, a lot of people think it’s a right (including myself). However, the author asserts (and I for the most part agree) that just because you have the right to say something doesn’t mean you should always say it. Just because you have political commentary, doesn’t mean that you are informed enough to share it. Just because you can play a guitar, doesn’t mean that you are good enough to call it music. The author asserts that we have created a culture of thieves (music and video pirates) and virtual anarchists who have no accountability in the people they accuse and the claims they make. And I agree with that. What I don’t agree with is that just because there are abuses within the socially flattened web . . . that it means that all bloggers, YouTubers, and GarageBand creators should just shut up and leave the real creation of art and reporting of the news to professionals. But in the same way that I don’t expect all journalists to shut up because of bad reporting and ignoring the truth by a few, I don’t expect everyone to shut up. Just because Britney Spears and American Idol rejects churn out crap, it doesn’t mean that every amateur should never play music again. Unfortunately, that’s what the author argues for the entire book. Dismissing the credible part of his argument while focusing on the extreme. However, I did walk away with a challenge to create better. If I’m going to write, make it be something that is constructive and that creates something out of nothing, or at the very least builds off of something else. As a blogger and podcaster, it’s a challenge to not drivel away about my favorite colors and stupid YouTube clips I run across but rather to create content that is challenging, creative, and constructive in nature.
A Community Called Atonement - review previously done here (B)
[tags]Jeremy Rifkin, European Dream, Globalization, Emergent Manifesto of Hope, Cult of the Amateur, Andrew Keen, Scot McKnight, Community Called Atonement[/tags]