Pfaff attempts to explain the phenomenon of the golden rule using lossy information processing and neurological processes. An interesting theory! And Pfaff attempts to explain the phenomenon of the golden rule using lossy information processing and neurological processes. An interesting theory! And one well worth, at least, considering.
The downsides: given the presumed target audience he could have benefited by slowing down and explaining the neurobiology of it all in simpler terms, or provided a glossary. As for me the names of the different hormones and the functions of the different brain areas were a bit in one ear and out the other, making it hard to follow. Also, he only appears to have half a book here. The back half of the book flips from talking about the golden rule to talking about neurobiological determinants of aggression. Okay, they're kind of related, but it feels like a 180, and I trust him less and less as he wanders away from neurobiology and toys with the domain of sociology and social policy towards the end....more
A good introduction to the topic, if a little outdated (at least my copy). Drags a bit near the end as he begins to slowly crawl through every type ofA good introduction to the topic, if a little outdated (at least my copy). Drags a bit near the end as he begins to slowly crawl through every type of social difference over which language varies....more
A fantastic topic, but the content doesn't quite carry through. The authors spend far too much time hung up on which albums and artists they do or do A fantastic topic, but the content doesn't quite carry through. The authors spend far too much time hung up on which albums and artists they do or do not like, and try to wring a little too much out of each of their (relatively few) examples. We get a lot more "this is what artists X and Y did in an attempt to be authentic" and a lot less "what is the idea of authenticity all about and why do people chase it?" This led to quite a few overlong detours (we get it, you love Neil Young's "Tonight's the Night") and the feeling of a book half-written and filled in with factoids from artist biographies. They keep hinting at chapters which would have made great studies but which never got included, specifically one on David Bowie and one on hip hop.
They also focus with near exclusivity on diary-style songwriting as the way in which authenticity is claimed in modern pop. This seems just incorrect to me: political, subcultural, and allegorical songwriting all claim authenticity in very similar ways and do not lean on autobiography. They do very little to back up their framing, and it even contradicts other parts of the book.
The best parts of the book were about the relationship between authenticity and race in popular music, where they were actually doing the work the subtitle is selling. You could probably read the chapters on folk/country/blues/etc and stop there without missing out on much....more
A very straightforward introduction to conjoint analysis, focusing on rules for application and actually performing one, rather than starting with theA very straightforward introduction to conjoint analysis, focusing on rules for application and actually performing one, rather than starting with the math and leaving it to you to figure out how any of this actually works or looks in practice....more
Possibly the best companion to an introductory economics course I've ever seen.Possibly the best companion to an introductory economics course I've ever seen....more
A surprisingly straightforward and upbeat book by Coetzee. Essentially it's a book about roles. Each character plays a role for each other character. A surprisingly straightforward and upbeat book by Coetzee. Essentially it's a book about roles. Each character plays a role for each other character. Our protagonist and Elizabeth Costello both fall into the futile task of attempting to bend the story into something more fitting for the more exciting story they want to tell, the roles they want people to play. But everything stays stubbornly as it is and the only way it could be....more
I loved Nudge, but this book is far from insightful. I will save you some time: read the title and subtitle, and spend half an hour thinking to yourseI loved Nudge, but this book is far from insightful. I will save you some time: read the title and subtitle, and spend half an hour thinking to yourself about the topic. You've now probably hit all the major points. You can then skip the book and won't miss much, except some legal factoids near the end....more
A fascinating look at the ideas of historical linguistics, and the idea that basic principles of gradual change can lead to the syntactic complexity (A fascinating look at the ideas of historical linguistics, and the idea that basic principles of gradual change can lead to the syntactic complexity (and simplicity... and complexity again... and simplicity again...) of modern language. Very accessible.
If the book suffers at all it's from a too-high dose of repetition. I also wish there was a bit more sense of which of the arguments in the book were well-accepted and supported theories and which were closer to speculation, since both are clearly present in the book. He does have a big disclaimer before a speculation chapter, but I wonder about the rest....more
Only got about halfway through this one. Absolutely terrible. Emerges from some introductory creative writing class. The dialogue is "cute," the frameOnly got about halfway through this one. Absolutely terrible. Emerges from some introductory creative writing class. The dialogue is "cute," the framework is pure unbelievable schlocky rom-com, and the individual plots are ripped straight from your favorite TV characters' mildly turbulent back stories....more
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