Weekly Non-Fiction Reading List 6.27.22
I was extremely sick last week, so I was only able to finish 2 books. The great news is that I just bought a ton of new books on some new, interesting topics. Stay tuned!
Each of the links to the books are affiliate links, so if you use my link to purchase any of these books, some comes back to support what I do (and it also helps fund my reading habit).
A People's Guide to Capitalism: An Introduction to Marxist Economics by Hadas Thier
A lot of books about Marxist economics go way over my head as they begin digging into the details, but Hadas Thier did a fantastic job with this book. The book is largely a critique of capitalism and explains the Marxist ideas that can remedy different aspects of it. What I love about the book is Thier really gives you an idea of the issues witch capitalism by giving examples that paint a picture. Personally, I don’t know how anyone can walk away from this book without having a better understanding of how in order for capitalism to work, it needs greed, never-ending growth, and exploitation.
I was concerned at the beginning of the book because it did seem a bit complicated, but after the first couple chapters, it becomes a smooth ride to better understand our broken systems. Definitely check this out if you’ve been duped into thinking that “socialism” is a dirty word and that capitalism is this amazing system that isn’t causing most of your problems.
A Passion for Ignorance: What We Choose Not to Know and Why by Renata Salecl
I’ve been on a kick lately trying to figure out why people don’t care about the truth, and I remembered this book that I read a couple years ago when it came out. I remembered not loving it, but I wanted to give it another chance. As I started reading it, I was like, “This book is the best book on the topic ever!”, but then it just takes the strangest direction and drives off a cliff…then it redeems itself. It’s hard to explain.
Renata Salecl uses philosophy, psychology, and social theory to explain why we deliberately choose not to know. When she’s discussing this topic, it’s fantastic, and one of the best books I’ve read on the topic. But a couple chapters in, she switches to storytelling and it’s so strange. Don’t get me wrong, I think real-life stories are one of the best ways to teach people something, so they can see how the topic is applicable. The problem is that I could not understand how the stories she told had anything to do with the topic of staying ignorant.
It’s a short book and worth the read if you’re interested in the topic. Like I said, when she discusses the topic you came for, it’s superb. And maybe I’m just dumb and didn’t understand the connection she was making with those stories. But even if I’m right that she could have done without those sections, I guarantee you’ll walk away from this book with a better understanding of why people avoid information and truth.
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