Sometimes I read books that I know I won't like.
I read trendy books to 'keep up with the times' so to speak. I knew I would probably not enjoy "The curious incident in the night with the dog" by Mark Haddon, and I was right. But I needed to read it to make sure that I wasn't missing the "Pride and Prejudice" of our generation.
I wonder if there was a Jamie out there in 1813, who heard all the fuss regarding this Jane Austen woman, and thought, "well… I better read it just so I have something to talk about with my co-housewives" (HA! A Jamie in the 1800's would NOT be a housewife - just a disclaimer), and hated it. But now, her great-great-grandchildren have that copy that 1813 Jamie bought, and it's an antique, classic, and they're happy.
I can't be purely selfish. In 200 years, I want my future relatives who have no print material - as it's been outdated for electro-readers - to have this piece of antique. Though I will include notes about why I disagree in the margin - I will leave no room for question. So this is why I read 'big' books (not all mind you - a select few. I think I will thoroguhly enjoy 'A million little pieces" by James Frey, but I wonder if some of that comes from my disdain for Oprah, and her book picks. Anything Oprah hates is a friend of mine)
I digress.
The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference by Malcolm Gladwell
I read trendy books to 'keep up with the times' so to speak. I knew I would probably not enjoy "The curious incident in the night with the dog" by Mark Haddon, and I was right. But I needed to read it to make sure that I wasn't missing the "Pride and Prejudice" of our generation.
I wonder if there was a Jamie out there in 1813, who heard all the fuss regarding this Jane Austen woman, and thought, "well… I better read it just so I have something to talk about with my co-housewives" (HA! A Jamie in the 1800's would NOT be a housewife - just a disclaimer), and hated it. But now, her great-great-grandchildren have that copy that 1813 Jamie bought, and it's an antique, classic, and they're happy.
I can't be purely selfish. In 200 years, I want my future relatives who have no print material - as it's been outdated for electro-readers - to have this piece of antique. Though I will include notes about why I disagree in the margin - I will leave no room for question. So this is why I read 'big' books (not all mind you - a select few. I think I will thoroguhly enjoy 'A million little pieces" by James Frey, but I wonder if some of that comes from my disdain for Oprah, and her book picks. Anything Oprah hates is a friend of mine)
I digress.
I have just finished reading the book, "The Tipping Point" by Malcolm Gladwell. Interesting information - and a man after my own heart for the amount of research he compiled - but I found the narrative to be repetitive. I understand from a lot of people that this is how they felt as well. I hummed and hawed my way through the book, and wasn't sure how to evaluate what I was reading…
And then I got to the afterword. Still unsure how I felt...
"A critic looking at these tightly focused, targeted interventions might dismiss them as Band-Aid solutions. But that phrase should not be considered a term of disparagement. The Band-Aid is an inexpensive, convenient, and remarkably versatile solution to an astonishing array of problems […] The Band-Aid solution is actually the best kind of solution because it involves solving a problem with the minimum amount of effort and time and cost."
Sorry Gladwell. You lost me at 'Band-Aid solution". You're talking to a Sociology major here.
However, you might be able to fill the position of social service advisor in parliament?
Yesterday at work we were talking about those who live on the street in Toronto (or as one coworker referred to them, 'bums' - I love corporate Canada), and I made a comment about the coordination of law breaking, in the method of fighting, stealing harassment of fellow street livers, and the organization it requires. All for a night in prison, or the hospital. We live in a terrible world which would rather arrest our homeless, mentally ill, or down and out citizens, then save the money it costs in overcrowded prison and hospital fees, and help them at the root of the cause. Instead of working to break the cyclical effect of all these things, the government and police force choose to condemn their actions and waste our money on "band-aiding" the solution.
You're totally right Gladwell. The "Band-Aid is an inexpensive, convenient, and remarkably versatile solution to an astonishing array of problems", and I can't seem to find a brand that doesn't fall off after I wash my hands a couple of times.
Now learning to bike without falling? Investing a little bit more time in teaching a kid to walk a little bit more steady? You'd never need Band-Aids in the house!
Another book - failed me.
And then I got to the afterword. Still unsure how I felt...
"A critic looking at these tightly focused, targeted interventions might dismiss them as Band-Aid solutions. But that phrase should not be considered a term of disparagement. The Band-Aid is an inexpensive, convenient, and remarkably versatile solution to an astonishing array of problems […] The Band-Aid solution is actually the best kind of solution because it involves solving a problem with the minimum amount of effort and time and cost."
Sorry Gladwell. You lost me at 'Band-Aid solution". You're talking to a Sociology major here.
However, you might be able to fill the position of social service advisor in parliament?
Yesterday at work we were talking about those who live on the street in Toronto (or as one coworker referred to them, 'bums' - I love corporate Canada), and I made a comment about the coordination of law breaking, in the method of fighting, stealing harassment of fellow street livers, and the organization it requires. All for a night in prison, or the hospital. We live in a terrible world which would rather arrest our homeless, mentally ill, or down and out citizens, then save the money it costs in overcrowded prison and hospital fees, and help them at the root of the cause. Instead of working to break the cyclical effect of all these things, the government and police force choose to condemn their actions and waste our money on "band-aiding" the solution.
You're totally right Gladwell. The "Band-Aid is an inexpensive, convenient, and remarkably versatile solution to an astonishing array of problems", and I can't seem to find a brand that doesn't fall off after I wash my hands a couple of times.
Now learning to bike without falling? Investing a little bit more time in teaching a kid to walk a little bit more steady? You'd never need Band-Aids in the house!
Another book - failed me.
The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference by Malcolm Gladwell