What? Me Worry?
Feb. 13th, 2014 03:56 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
vamysteryfanWhat Should We be Worrying About edited by John Brockman. 150 short essays on issues scientists think should be of concern. After the first 100 pages, I thought I would never sleep again. By the time I finished it, I was a devoted follower of Alfred E. Neumann. I picked five things I'm never worrying about again and five legitimate concerns. I did enjoy the metaworry essays - we have nothing to worry about but worry itself.
Worry about a world where no one is paying attention.
Worry about whether the Internet is devaluing words.
Worry that people who can and should be concerned about the state of the planet are bogged down in trivia or minor side issues.
Worry about human behavior with regard to vaccination.
Worry that the value of human labor is being decimated.
Don't worry about regulatory agencies being captured by industry they are to regulate.
Don't worry about aliens hearing earth broadcasts.
Don't worry about long-term investment in science.
Don't worry about unmarried men in China.
Don't worry about living a good life. Just do it.
And two great quotes. Brian Eno: while we are laissez-ing, someone else is faire-ing. Terry Gilliam: I float on a tsunami of acceptance of anything life throws at me and marvel stupidly
Blackberry Pie Murder by Joanne Fluke. I went off this author for a while. The heroine is that cute girl with offbeat cooking business/boyfriends/spunky BFF/quirky parent stereotype that's been done to death. Hannah waffling between the two boyfriends had gotten tiresome beyond belief. I picked this one up and was pleasantly surprised. The mystery and plotting are decent, the annoying parts have been toned down, and it was actually pretty interesting. She includes the obligatory recipes and they sound tasty.
The Mist in the Mirror by Susan Hill. A subtle, engrossing ghost story. It's a quick read because it's so riveting. The pace builds slowly as she creates her atmosphere. It's a period piece, almost reminiscent of the Turn of the Screw. Worth reading.
Bitter Brew: The Rise and Fall of Anheuser Busch by William Knoedelseder. A very interesting book about the family that built Budweiser from a local beer into the "King of Beers" and how it was taken over by a Brazilian multinational. Lots of stories about the St. Louis Cardinals, the Clydesdales, the memorable ads, Prohibition, and more. It also reveals the dark side of the Busch family, including their terrible treatment of women and the hubris that was ultimately their downfall.
Worry about a world where no one is paying attention.
Worry about whether the Internet is devaluing words.
Worry that people who can and should be concerned about the state of the planet are bogged down in trivia or minor side issues.
Worry about human behavior with regard to vaccination.
Worry that the value of human labor is being decimated.
Don't worry about regulatory agencies being captured by industry they are to regulate.
Don't worry about aliens hearing earth broadcasts.
Don't worry about long-term investment in science.
Don't worry about unmarried men in China.
Don't worry about living a good life. Just do it.
And two great quotes. Brian Eno: while we are laissez-ing, someone else is faire-ing. Terry Gilliam: I float on a tsunami of acceptance of anything life throws at me and marvel stupidly
Blackberry Pie Murder by Joanne Fluke. I went off this author for a while. The heroine is that cute girl with offbeat cooking business/boyfriends/spunky BFF/quirky parent stereotype that's been done to death. Hannah waffling between the two boyfriends had gotten tiresome beyond belief. I picked this one up and was pleasantly surprised. The mystery and plotting are decent, the annoying parts have been toned down, and it was actually pretty interesting. She includes the obligatory recipes and they sound tasty.
The Mist in the Mirror by Susan Hill. A subtle, engrossing ghost story. It's a quick read because it's so riveting. The pace builds slowly as she creates her atmosphere. It's a period piece, almost reminiscent of the Turn of the Screw. Worth reading.
Bitter Brew: The Rise and Fall of Anheuser Busch by William Knoedelseder. A very interesting book about the family that built Budweiser from a local beer into the "King of Beers" and how it was taken over by a Brazilian multinational. Lots of stories about the St. Louis Cardinals, the Clydesdales, the memorable ads, Prohibition, and more. It also reveals the dark side of the Busch family, including their terrible treatment of women and the hubris that was ultimately their downfall.
