... with me. I don't care if I agree with everything you say. Whether you're being logical or irrational. Completely objective or taking a very personal viewpoint. I don't care if you're Democrat, Republican, libertarian or none of the above. When you're trying to shove your ideas down my throat, you still come off as a d*****bag. And even if I completely agree with you (waaaay inside), I will disagree with everything you say just out of sheer irritation.
Sunday, September 09, 2012
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Teen reads
I was surprised by how good Suzanne Collins' Mockingjay series is. I started out with the 'Hunger Games' last month on a trip to a cabin in the woods in Ohio, and then have been reading the others as and when I found the time. 'Catching Fire', I bought from a second hand book shop in the Bay Area and read on the flight. 'Mockingjay' I read this weekend, having been ordered to take a break and destress for a bit.
I loved the first book. I really liked the post-apocalyptic world. How people have obviously moved past, but not better - still very much as people are now. I loved the sort of history repeating itself feeling. Of course, the author herself says so at the end, but it did feel very much like the old Roman circuses, people being made to fight to death in a modern arena.
While the last book wasn't as enjoyable from a story perspective, I thought it brought out very well that being on the side of 'the good' does not make you a good person.
In other news, I have been taking full advantage of my Amazon Prime membership to rewatch the entire 'Yes, Minister' series, getting the entire value for money.
I loved the first book. I really liked the post-apocalyptic world. How people have obviously moved past, but not better - still very much as people are now. I loved the sort of history repeating itself feeling. Of course, the author herself says so at the end, but it did feel very much like the old Roman circuses, people being made to fight to death in a modern arena.
While the last book wasn't as enjoyable from a story perspective, I thought it brought out very well that being on the side of 'the good' does not make you a good person.
In other news, I have been taking full advantage of my Amazon Prime membership to rewatch the entire 'Yes, Minister' series, getting the entire value for money.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Oh Ironies
The Gods must have been laughing as I read E.M. Forster's 'Passage to India' on the way back - from India to Michigan', on the flight. The book was considered enlightened in its time - it presents a case when a British lady wrongly accuses an Indian man of assault, and while a daring proposition in its time, the broad generalizations, stereotyping of race, religion and sex indicate that while the author may have broken down one barrier significant other remain.
What makes the book beautiful (in my eyes) is the incredible detail in characterization, analysis of people's motivations, their reactions, their understanding as coloured by their experiences. These things remain true regardless of how far in the future you go. The rose coloured shades that tint Aziz's meetings with Mrs. Moore, as though a couple of meetings made them close friends; the changing friendship between Fielding and Aziz; the miguided protection of Mahmoud Ali...
An event that particular caught me was when Adela asked Aziz about having multiple wives - what she thought was culturally sensitive, which he took as an insult - little events when the same thing has different meanings in different people's minds. Also, the jostling of servants, of doctors, the Anglo-Indians - each one trying to be a step above the rest - inequality not only in the broad sense, but each individual looking for ways to make themselves seem - or feel - a little superior.
Its a better book in the details, rather that the broad narrative that gives a glimpse into some of the ideas and emotions that could have led to the independence movement.
What makes the book beautiful (in my eyes) is the incredible detail in characterization, analysis of people's motivations, their reactions, their understanding as coloured by their experiences. These things remain true regardless of how far in the future you go. The rose coloured shades that tint Aziz's meetings with Mrs. Moore, as though a couple of meetings made them close friends; the changing friendship between Fielding and Aziz; the miguided protection of Mahmoud Ali...
An event that particular caught me was when Adela asked Aziz about having multiple wives - what she thought was culturally sensitive, which he took as an insult - little events when the same thing has different meanings in different people's minds. Also, the jostling of servants, of doctors, the Anglo-Indians - each one trying to be a step above the rest - inequality not only in the broad sense, but each individual looking for ways to make themselves seem - or feel - a little superior.
Its a better book in the details, rather that the broad narrative that gives a glimpse into some of the ideas and emotions that could have led to the independence movement.
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