For a very different view of the world, consider What’s the Matter with Kansas, by Thomas Frank. If Wikinomics, the Wisdom of Crowds, and The World is Flat are unblushingly optimistic (although they warn of the need to adapt or be left behind) anthems of the new world order, then this book is a cold [...]
From the category archives:
Politics
James Surowiecki’s The Wisdom of Crowds is another great page-turner like Malcom Gladwell’s Tipping Point and Blink. Surowiecki is the first writer I’ve read who actually makes me think there might be some value to diversity and teams. I generally bristled with skepticism when I read about efforts to increase diversity. Someone decides that in [...]
After seeing Barack Obama‘s keynote address to the 2004 Democratic National convention…and following the increasing speculation about the possibility that he might run for President, I expected a great deal from his books. Dreams from my Father is a well-written, interesting account of his coming to terms with his heritage as the son of a [...]
I attended my town’s Economic Development Advisory Board (EDAB) meeting tonight to see how things really work. I was the only “spectator.” My original intention was not to report on the meeting, but I think it is worthwhile to document the kinds of things in town government that so few people every experience firsthand. Bear [...]
Something in Richard Florida’s Flight of the Creative Class struck home with me. In the first chapter, Florida responds to the many critics of Rise of the Creative Class including a sort of “I don’t have an agenda” defense where he says: I work closely with mayors, governors, and business, political, and civic leaders from [...]
Both Thomas Friedman’s The World is Flat and Richard Florida’s Flight of the Creative Class conclude with a call to action, an inspirational message that those of us who recognize the massive changes transforming our society have a responsibility to do something. But what? About 15 years ago, I read Paul Tsongas’s essay A Call [...]
I met our conservative Republican candidate for State Senate yesterday; he was doorbelling in my neighborhood. I knew I probably would not vote for him, but I asked him a few questions and I was impressed that somebody was actually asking for my vote in person. I resisted the urge to ask the wedge questions. [...]