The Dispossessed by Ursula K. le Guin
Some people may be put off about reading a science fiction novel, but
there are many books within this genre that are well worth reading -
The Dispossessed is one. Having said that, however, I can't say that
it's a great novel, but I do believe it is worth reading. Why?
Fist a little synopsis. The subtitle (or additional title?) is "An
Ambiguous Utopia." The ambiguous utopia is a world to which
anarchists have moved in order to live on their own apart from a
world much like our own. What makes the story most interesting is how
people might come to think, relate, live - that is, in a manner
totally different than that which we are accustomed to. The ideas of
community, sharing, non-violence are encouraged from birth and are
completely natural, especially given the fact that many generations
have now lived on this world. Such behavior is considered the norm,
and to act otherwise is foreign. Ursula le Guin obviously put a lot
of thought and work into keeping her characters in anarchist character.
But what makes the novel even more compelling is the fact that this
anarchist society is not a utopia. There are problems, nonetheless.
And not just personal problems of the heros, but ones for the society
as a whole. A central issue to the novel deals with a level of peer
pressure and conformity, which have arisen within this society and
the attempts by a small group to break out of that conformity.
I read somewhere that le Guin specifically chose anarchism for this
society as she believes that an anarchist society would best reflect
a true, just, free society - a truly human society. She contrasts it
to a socialist society, which in the novel she characterizes as a
communal police state of sorts. However, I would contend that both
anarchism and communism (socialism being a precursor to communism)
strive toward the development of the same society. Where they
contrast is in how to get there. Therefore the socialist societies
she describes are not socialist, but state capitalist. But I detract
from the novel.
The novel was pointed out to me by a friend/comrade as I was
interested in the problems that would exist in a future communist
society. This interest arose from reading Class Theory and History by
Stephen A. Resnick and Richard D. Wolff, which is subtitled,
Capitalism and Communism in the USSR (a future review of this book
will be provided when I finish it). In this book the authors brush
upon the potential problems that may exist in a future communist
society. In fact they even speculate that there is no reason to think
that communism would be the final political, economic, social
structure. That the dialectics of a communist society could lead to
the development of yet another society. Who knows? It is important to
note that Marxists and Anarchists never presuppose what a future
society will be like, but merely suggest possible and probable
pictures of how society could be organized. The people will have to
decide how to organize any future society. Anything else is utopian.
But again I detract from the novel. However, I wanted to provide a
reason for finding this novel of interest. That reason is that The
Dispossessed provides a picture into a social structure that
otherwise appears valid, and most important is not an entirely
utopian one. It is not utopian because there are nonetheless problems
within the society that require that the revolution never end - a
permanent revolution, as Trotsky might say.
If your not convinced that this novel is for you, I would encourage
you to at least pick up the novel, try reading a couple of chapters.
I look forward to hearing why you finished the novel.
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Movie Review: Paradise Now
Yet another review. This time of a movie - Paradise Now.
It's difficult to review a movie without giving anything away. In my
case, I didn't really know what the movie was about. I had only heard
or read somewhere a good review. I was rather shocked by the paths
taken by the heros (antiheros?). If I say anymore, however, I fear I
will give too much away.
Suffice to say that the events take place primarily in occupied
Palestine. So, it is about the occupation, as well as about the
resistance. Again, I was going to write more, but realized I would
give some of the movie away.
Definitely worth watching!
It's difficult to review a movie without giving anything away. In my
case, I didn't really know what the movie was about. I had only heard
or read somewhere a good review. I was rather shocked by the paths
taken by the heros (antiheros?). If I say anymore, however, I fear I
will give too much away.
Suffice to say that the events take place primarily in occupied
Palestine. So, it is about the occupation, as well as about the
resistance. Again, I was going to write more, but realized I would
give some of the movie away.
Definitely worth watching!
Book Reviews
Masks of God, Joseph Campbell
This is a four-volume set comprised of the following books:
The Masks of God
Occidental Mythology
Oriental Mythology
Creative Mythology
This series I would count as required reading for anyone. However, my personal opinion is that you can skip the last book (Creative Mythology).
Failed Crusade: America and the Tragedy of Post-Communist Russia, Stephen F. Cohen
The Raw Deal, Ellen Frank
A Small Corner of Hell : Dispatches from Chechnya, Anna Politkovskaya
The Good Fight, Ralph Nader
Here Ralph Nader points out every reason why one should vote for Anyone But the Two Parties! A great eye opener to the hypocricy of our democracy while showing the way forward to establishing a more democractic, egalitarian and just society.
Oryx and Crake, Margaret Atwood
Another vision from Atwood of an apocalyptic future. In this future, however, the combination of global warming and out-of-control genetic engineering has led to the virtual extinction of the human species, the remaining few of which must seek continual shelter against Nature that is extremely hostile and compete to survive against creatures created by humans.
Fast Food Nation, Eric Schlosser
This book should come with a warning label: Reading this book may result in a complete re-evaluation of society and life. It should also be made required reading in all schools and for all adults, particularly parents.
Although I had considered purchasing this book many times on visits to the bookstore, I never did as I thought it would be mostly about McDonalds, etc. and the ingredients in fast food. That is, I thought it would be rather dry and boring. To the contrary, although this book does contain a lot of dry facts, it's very interesting and important reading.
This book covers the history of the fast food industry and its current status, the production of most everything edible - from the farm to your mouth, the advertising industry, and the methods of production and the conditions there, ad nauseum (literally!). The last section of the book deals with positive changes that have occurred and how the industry might be pushed to introduce more positive changes.
If you read Fast Food Nation, you will definitely rethink ever going to out to eat again and begin shopping for only organic foods. These are some personal positive steps people can take now.
Nickel and Dimed, Barbara Ehrenreich
Wow! What an endeavor!
Barabara Ehrenreich - aka Key West waitress, maid in Maine, Minnesota Wal-Martian, but, in fact, a reknown journalist goes underground to uncover how women on the edge of poverty make by.
Any book that has quotes like the following is worth reading:
"...it was often hard to see what the function of management was, other than to exact obeisance."
"Most civilized nations compensate for the inadequacy of wages by providing relatively generous public services such as health insurance, free or subsidized child care, subsidized housing, and effective public transportation. But the United States, for all its wealth, leaves its citizens to fend for themselves...."
"When someone works for less pay than she can live on--when, for example, she goes hungry so that you can eat more cheaply and conveniently--then she has made a great sacrifice for you, she has made you a gift of some part of her abilities, her health, and her life. The "working poor," as they are approvingly termed, are in fact the major philanthropists of our society. They neglect their own children so that the children of others will be cared for; they live in substandard housing so that other homes will be shiny and perfect; they endure privation so that inflation will be low and stock prices high. To be a member of the working poor is to be an anonymous donor, a nameless benefactor, to everyone else."
The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists, Robert Tressell
A fun fictional read for any labor activist.
Solidarity Forever
Wobbly history from the mouth of wobblies. A must read for any labor activist.
Upside Down, Eduardo Galeano
Galeano has given this book the title of being a primer. So it is! This is required reading for all world citizens. But be prepared. Albeit anecdotal in presentation, the stories are true and this is what makes it shocking and relevant. Don't buy just one, buy two and give one to a conservative friend. Maybe they'll wake up and stop living in their looking-glass world.
The Wind Done Gone, Alice Randall
Many readers have failed to understand what, I think, was Randall's goal in writing this book. Having grown up in the South (although this should not be a criteria), I was always incensed by those who liked GWTW - the movie (I have not read the book - sorry). As far as I'm concerned it was a Hollywood (white man's) production of a white woman's (Mitchell's) presentation of those "poor," white plantation owners (BTW, I'm Caucasian, should that matter). It was about as repulsive as a minstrel show. So, I welcome Randall's step toward setting the record straight.
Although Randall calls the book a parody, it is not. It is for this reason that I have referred to it as a critical parody. This book is written as if it was the diary of our main heroine. Unfortunately, her style of writing is not consistent, making the character less believable. In reply to some other criticisms, however, whereas this is presented in 'diary' format, we could hardly expect Randall to develop the characters.
Some of the lines in this work are brilliant! Those who don't like it, go back and read it again. It's an EASY read and enjoyable. I would agree with some that if you're looking more for a critique and understanding of African-American life in the South, this is not the book to read. It does lend some light, however.
My recommendation - read it. Especially if you liked GWTW. Then, think about it....
This is a four-volume set comprised of the following books:
The Masks of God
Occidental Mythology
Oriental Mythology
Creative Mythology
This series I would count as required reading for anyone. However, my personal opinion is that you can skip the last book (Creative Mythology).
Failed Crusade: America and the Tragedy of Post-Communist Russia, Stephen F. Cohen
The Raw Deal, Ellen Frank
A Small Corner of Hell : Dispatches from Chechnya, Anna Politkovskaya
The Good Fight, Ralph Nader
Here Ralph Nader points out every reason why one should vote for Anyone But the Two Parties! A great eye opener to the hypocricy of our democracy while showing the way forward to establishing a more democractic, egalitarian and just society.
Oryx and Crake, Margaret Atwood
Another vision from Atwood of an apocalyptic future. In this future, however, the combination of global warming and out-of-control genetic engineering has led to the virtual extinction of the human species, the remaining few of which must seek continual shelter against Nature that is extremely hostile and compete to survive against creatures created by humans.
Fast Food Nation, Eric Schlosser
This book should come with a warning label: Reading this book may result in a complete re-evaluation of society and life. It should also be made required reading in all schools and for all adults, particularly parents.
Although I had considered purchasing this book many times on visits to the bookstore, I never did as I thought it would be mostly about McDonalds, etc. and the ingredients in fast food. That is, I thought it would be rather dry and boring. To the contrary, although this book does contain a lot of dry facts, it's very interesting and important reading.
This book covers the history of the fast food industry and its current status, the production of most everything edible - from the farm to your mouth, the advertising industry, and the methods of production and the conditions there, ad nauseum (literally!). The last section of the book deals with positive changes that have occurred and how the industry might be pushed to introduce more positive changes.
If you read Fast Food Nation, you will definitely rethink ever going to out to eat again and begin shopping for only organic foods. These are some personal positive steps people can take now.
Nickel and Dimed, Barbara Ehrenreich
Wow! What an endeavor!
Barabara Ehrenreich - aka Key West waitress, maid in Maine, Minnesota Wal-Martian, but, in fact, a reknown journalist goes underground to uncover how women on the edge of poverty make by.
Any book that has quotes like the following is worth reading:
"...it was often hard to see what the function of management was, other than to exact obeisance."
"Most civilized nations compensate for the inadequacy of wages by providing relatively generous public services such as health insurance, free or subsidized child care, subsidized housing, and effective public transportation. But the United States, for all its wealth, leaves its citizens to fend for themselves...."
"When someone works for less pay than she can live on--when, for example, she goes hungry so that you can eat more cheaply and conveniently--then she has made a great sacrifice for you, she has made you a gift of some part of her abilities, her health, and her life. The "working poor," as they are approvingly termed, are in fact the major philanthropists of our society. They neglect their own children so that the children of others will be cared for; they live in substandard housing so that other homes will be shiny and perfect; they endure privation so that inflation will be low and stock prices high. To be a member of the working poor is to be an anonymous donor, a nameless benefactor, to everyone else."
The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists, Robert Tressell
A fun fictional read for any labor activist.
Solidarity Forever
Wobbly history from the mouth of wobblies. A must read for any labor activist.
Upside Down, Eduardo Galeano
Galeano has given this book the title of being a primer. So it is! This is required reading for all world citizens. But be prepared. Albeit anecdotal in presentation, the stories are true and this is what makes it shocking and relevant. Don't buy just one, buy two and give one to a conservative friend. Maybe they'll wake up and stop living in their looking-glass world.
The Wind Done Gone, Alice Randall
Many readers have failed to understand what, I think, was Randall's goal in writing this book. Having grown up in the South (although this should not be a criteria), I was always incensed by those who liked GWTW - the movie (I have not read the book - sorry). As far as I'm concerned it was a Hollywood (white man's) production of a white woman's (Mitchell's) presentation of those "poor," white plantation owners (BTW, I'm Caucasian, should that matter). It was about as repulsive as a minstrel show. So, I welcome Randall's step toward setting the record straight.
Although Randall calls the book a parody, it is not. It is for this reason that I have referred to it as a critical parody. This book is written as if it was the diary of our main heroine. Unfortunately, her style of writing is not consistent, making the character less believable. In reply to some other criticisms, however, whereas this is presented in 'diary' format, we could hardly expect Randall to develop the characters.
Some of the lines in this work are brilliant! Those who don't like it, go back and read it again. It's an EASY read and enjoyable. I would agree with some that if you're looking more for a critique and understanding of African-American life in the South, this is not the book to read. It does lend some light, however.
My recommendation - read it. Especially if you liked GWTW. Then, think about it....
Monday, March 20, 2006
Long time no hear? Maybe that's good.
Microsoft Windows
Autopatcher
Although full versions are available for January, there is still only a Lite Version for February. I would not play around with the BETA full versions. Basically, if you've updated using Autopatcher to the January full version, then you can use February's lite version to get extra security updates and patches.
http://www.autopatcher.com/
My instructions for using Autopatcher:
http://www.avantguardsystems.com/windows/autopatcher.html
Spybot
Don't forget to update, immunize and destroy all spyware on a weekly basis!
My instructions for using Spybot Search & Destroy:
http://www.avantguardsystems.com/windows/spybot.html
OS X
For those using Office X on Mac OSX, there is a security update for Excel.
http://www.microsoft.com/mac/downloads.aspx?pid=download&location=/mac/download/officex/ExcelX_Security_1017.xml&secid=5&ssid=17&flgnosysreq=True
To check about other possible updates you may need for Microsoft products on a Mac, go to:
http://www.microsoft.com/mac/support.aspx
Microsoft Windows
Autopatcher
Although full versions are available for January, there is still only a Lite Version for February. I would not play around with the BETA full versions. Basically, if you've updated using Autopatcher to the January full version, then you can use February's lite version to get extra security updates and patches.
http://www.autopatcher.com/
My instructions for using Autopatcher:
http://www.avantguardsystems.com/windows/autopatcher.html
Spybot
Don't forget to update, immunize and destroy all spyware on a weekly basis!
My instructions for using Spybot Search & Destroy:
http://www.avantguardsystems.com/windows/spybot.html
OS X
For those using Office X on Mac OSX, there is a security update for Excel.
http://www.microsoft.com/mac/downloads.aspx?pid=download&location=/mac/download/officex/ExcelX_Security_1017.xml&secid=5&ssid=17&flgnosysreq=True
To check about other possible updates you may need for Microsoft products on a Mac, go to:
http://www.microsoft.com/mac/support.aspx
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