Rick Bosacker

boring and anti climactic

Revisado: 04-07-19

expected twists. none came. listened because we had bought it but ultimately profoundly disappointed. vanilla. predictable. not worth our time.

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Wonderful... with two caveats

Revisado: 03-24-19

As a family doc who has studied wellness for years and treated depression, I think this book wonderfully describes the big picture of depression and anxiety. The author seems to have two small chips on his shoulder which may distract some readers from this very important picture.

First, he understandably has resentment about the belief that he held for years about the neuro-chemical cause of depression and the singular focus on medical treatments. While many doctors do prescribe medications, most of us also understand the psychosocial levers and strongly encourage patients to address these. To his credit, he does acknowledge that he too was searching for a simple and easy solution.

Additionally, politically conservative people may balk at some potential solutions which align more with progressive philosophies... especially considering conservative approaches that might have similar impact were given minimal attention.

Being forewarned, if these things bother you, it might say as much about your own biases as his.

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predictable, slow and boring

Revisado: 02-21-18

repetitive, shallow story and limited character development. lame fugue state amnesia sets the tone for a mediocre book.

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I guess I had to read it...

Revisado: 01-14-17

So many lecturers and other writers reference Angela Duckworth, including Martin Seligman. I felt like I had to read this book in order to fully participate in discussions about psychology, human development, character and well-being. So, I did. its a good book to listen to at 1.5 speed or greater. To anyone with a background in these areas, there is a lot of rehash, reorganizing and redefining well-known concepts. Still, I quite enjoyed it.

I am very happy that she addresses how grit fits into the equation of character and acknowledges that there is further research needed to better understand how grit best relates to well-being from and individual, social and cultural standpoint. How cultures define "success" has some the greatest influence in how individuals define it. That sets the compass for the engine of grit. Maybe that's another book? Her "paragons of grit" represent an cultivated group of people who have experienced traditionally defined success and then teases put how grit contributed. She did not attempt to identify examples of how grittiness contributed to personal failures or regret, though she did hint at this possibility.

Not really a complaint... just some reactions. I. glad I read this book!

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Becoming more important every day...

Revisado: 12-16-16

In this era of rapidly evolving and even more consequential networks, this book would benefit from frequently updated editions. The 2016 election cycle could provide at least another full chapter!

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Great basic overview with well-being theory

Revisado: 09-13-16

Too many financial books operate under the assumption that money alone is the end result and can be equated with well-being. Thankfully, this book recognizes that well-being comes first and money is not only a tool help purchase necessities but learning about money provides an opportunity to learn more about well-being.

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Science nerds will love it.

Revisado: 01-23-16

Very well read with myltiple characters. i would have loved to have read it with the challenge of trying to figure out solutions myself.

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Arrogantly offputting.... if he wasn't so smart.

Revisado: 10-10-13

Where does Antifragile rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Unique perspective with real utility. Top quartile.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

Applying a scientific and intelligent rationale for traditionalism.

What about Joe Ochman’s performance did you like?

Read with believably conceited indignation which would have been off-putting were it not earned and justified.

If you could give Antifragile a new subtitle, what would it be?

"I spit in your general direction"

Any additional comments?

As a physician and leader, I'm drawn to innovative ideas that can guide our work and lives in a healthier and more fulfilling manner. Taleb's principles provide a compelling counter to our tendency to over-engineer and "fragilize" our lives and businesses. Resonant.

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Required reading... with one caveat.

Revisado: 07-14-13

What did you love best about The Righteous Mind?

Broad, scientific approach to understanding the biology of human behavior.

What other book might you compare The Righteous Mind to and why?

"Thinking Fast and Slow" by Kahneman and "The Believing Brain" by Shermer in terms of understanding neuroscience and the way our brains, opinions and behaviors come about.

Any additional comments?

We've created a culture where we all operate under the illusion that we need to be right. We convince ourselves that our thoughts and actions stem from some innate ability to realize and appreciate a guiding, transcendent truth, whether it be social, spiritual or logical. The humbling reality is that we have selfish genes which utilize complex modules to ensure their survival. Haidt cogently describes our biology with both scientific and symbolic aplomb.

As a biologist and physician, I have great appreciation for this perspective. I particularly appreciate the analogy between our ethical "taste" modules and our literal gustatory senses. We cannot fight the fact that we are hardwired to respond to these tastes and indulging them initiates the neurochemical cascade which, if deprived, would leave us bereft of the true experience of humanness.

Continuing this analogy, I would attempt to demonstrate where Haidt possibly falls short in helping both himself and his reader best apply their enhanced understanding of human and cultural biology.

As our ethical "tastes" for sanctity, loyalty and authority have a place in maintaining safety and wellness, our taste for sugar and fat has served our species greatly in times of scarcity. The utility of these modules is entirely contextual though. In the United States (my very divided country), we live in relative abundance. The vast majority has an excess of calories as well as social safety. The context has changed and indulging our hunger for fat and sugar as well as symbolic tribal loyalty, sanctity and authoritarian acquiescence has very negative consequences. We benefit when we recognize mal-adaptive application of natural tendencies. There is little risk that we will go hungry if we forgo calories and there is little risk that the fabric of our society (and our own differential survivability) will fall apart if we question authority, symbolism or factionism.

We live in a country of abundance and safety. Indulging these tastes is causing an epidemic of obesity, hypertension, diabetes and heart disease. Could not the same be happening when insisting on applying unnecessary ethical modules? I enjoy being clean AND my understanding of germs and public health tells me I don't need to be continually vigilant. I enjoy my groups of shared interest AND I don't need to denigrate or vilify any groups to which I do not belong. I appreciate order AND I know rules and laws exist to serve a social purpose but my eternal soul is not at risk should I fail to worship compliance.

Haidt is correct in that Conservatives indulge their ethical tastes more broadly. Their message is an ethical meal that satisfies many of our cravings. The Liberterian and Liberal ideologies are less appealing to a broad population... but dining at their table more often may be the only way of preventing the epidemic of ethical indulgence?

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esto le resultó útil a 243 personas

Should've read the reviews first.

Revisado: 06-27-12

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Nothing.

Would you ever listen to anything by E. L. James again?

Her announcement that she is retiring from writing?

How could the performance have been better?

Stop whining and dropping off on the end of her words like a lazy Valley-girl.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

it taught me to always read reviews first and I enjoyed reading some of the other regretful reviews.

Any additional comments?

I'm sad for all of us.

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esto le resultó útil a 1 persona