Having recently thrown away my high hat (not to mention breaking the lease on the Ivory Tower I've been renting for years and moving into a flat) I've pretty much given more and more credence to books that are accessible to the average wage slave at large who doesn't have the energy nor the vocabulary to understand lofty political rhetoric at the end of a physically challenging work week. Fortunately, more and more authors are making their books user friendly and understandable. Michael Moore and his best selling Stupid White Men is one encouraging example. However, most outstanding in my opinion is journalistic pioneer Sam Smith's latest offering: Why Bother? Getting a Life in a Locked Down Land, a pragmatic yet very insightful book which offers the radical option of a fully functioning democracy available to us all. Smith, who runs The Progressive Review http://prorev.com constantly reminds us that there exists this huge subculture of rebels, free thinkers and other insurrectionists at large that corporate media ignores, a culture that strives to ward off the consumerist spell casting, allowing us to reconnect with something alive and free from the death trappings of purely capital endeavors. Smith clearly reveals this infidel dimension underneath the surface of the mainstream throughout the book.
One of the author's talents lies in his ability to show us how what once used to be a participatory democracy has become something painfully token, regulated to a sad spectacle, a mere simulacrum perpetuated by corporate media venues (I have called this predicament 'Jerry Springer's Trailer Trash Democracy' in a previous review I wrote on Apocalypse Culture II). In place of the once functioning polis, is a false sense of individualism, fixation on brand name identity, breast, lip and dick augmentation, SUVs and cell phones. Young people are encouraged to try and literally become the brand names that they aspire to consume (having motivational coaches sponsored my Madison Avenue telling them to do so). Amidst all the harrowing evidence for democracy's demise, the author shows a kind of sincerity and caring which renders his prose both lucid and alive. At once pragmatic and inspirational, Why Bother? will help burn away the miasma of corporate spin and offer a rather raw vision of what we can actually do to bring democracy back to life and color once again. The task may seem daunting and futile in the age of Enron, WorldCom, Martha Stewart and other titanic corruptions of behemoth proportions. However, the author reminds us, constantly, of our own resiliency and tenacity, simply by sharing these qualities which he obviously possesses himself.
In one part of the book, I was reminded of just how bad things are in the era of dictatorship Dubya style and how successfully I've managed to keep it out of mind. Smith really woke me up when he dared to point out the more renegade qualities of Richard Nixon:
"Even that otherwise egregious warlock of Whittier, Richard Nixon, practiced domestic affairs in the tradition of social democracy. He was, in fact, our last liberal president, an amazing claim until one considers that he favored a negative income tax; tax revenue sharing; a guaranteed income for children; supplementary programs for the aged, blind and disabled; uniform application of the food stamp program; better health insurance programs for low income families, aid to community colleges, aid to low-income college students; the creation of the National Endowment of the Humanities; and increased funding for elementary and secondary schools. Today someone of Nixon's domestic political tendencies might be considered too radical for C-SPAN."
Most appealing, aside from his obviously well honed political acumen, is Smith's observation that despair is 'the suicide of the imagination'. In the age of MTV, DVDs and Sony Play Stations, the despair is widely endorsed by willing celebrities indifferent to the consequences of their promotions. He goes on to say, "...the task is to bear knowledge without destroying ourselves, to challenge the wrong without ending up on its casualty list." For those of you not used to bearing knowledge, let alone challenging things, Why Bother is a great place to get inspired.
My response to reading Sam Smith's book, "Why Bother".......2001-11-18
We live in difficult times for citizens who take seriously our responsibilities of active involvement with the policies and directions of "our" government. More and more it is clear that we are in a phase where the corporate interests own and direct the directions and programs undertaken in out name. Ordinary people have little or no power to influence policy. Likewise, the flow of information allowed to filter down through the mass media is more and more limited and controlled by the same forces, thus effectively silencing public debate of the most important issues. In "Why Bother" author, Sam Smith, honestly addresses this condition, dangerous to the very foundations of our democratic way of life, and he offers a variety of active responses enabling the citizen to envision a "life in a locked-down land".
This is not a pleasant book. It confronts the readers with a stark vision of where we are and describes ways of living in the face of that reality- in paths fashioned to maintain personal integrity and perhaps eventually engender social change as well. Smith offers no easy or quick solutions. The book is clear about the danger and destructiveness of the present path our institutions are embarked upon and about the power ranked against genuine efforts of reform. Yet, for myself, I value my own and Sam Smith's effort to see social and political "reality" for what it is. It is refreshing to live with a clear and coherent vision of what the issues are, even if they be difficult and unpleasant ones. To live in a world of lies and ingenuineness, to be a helpless, witless target of government and media propaganda is not to be fully alive. For those who prefer to live in the light of this difficult truth, I highly recommend this book!
My response to reading Sam Smith's book, Why Bother.......2001-11-17
We live in difficult times to for citizens who take seriously the responsibilities of active involvement with the policies and directions of "our" government. More and more it is clear that we are in a phase where the corporate interests own and direct the directions and programs undertaken. Ordinary people have little or no power to influence policy. Likewise, the flow of information allowed to filter down through the mass media is more and more limited and controlled by the same forces thus effectively silencing the range of public debate. In Why Bother Sam Smith honestly addresses this condition, dangerous to the very foundations of our democratic way of life and offers a variety of active responses enabling one to envisiion "a life in a locked-down land".
This is not a pleasant book. It confronts its readers with a stark vision of where we are and the ways of living in the face of that reality- in paths fashioned to maintain integrity and eventually engender change are neither easy nor promising of quick solutions. It is clear about the danger and distructiveness of the present path our institutions are taking and about the power ranked against genuine efforts of reform. Yet, for myself, I value my own and Sam Smith's effort to see social and political "reality" for what it is. It is refreshing to live with a clear and coherent vision of what the issues are, even if they be difficult and unpleasant ones. To live in a world of lies and ingenuineness, to be a helpless witless target of government and media propaganda is not not be fully alive. For those who prefer to live in the light of this difficult truth, I highly recommend this book!
disturbing and confusing, but ultimately inspirational.......2001-10-23
After reading Sam Smith's online "Undernews" newsletter for some time, and being impressed with his analysis of current events, I bought this book. After two complete readings of the book I think I understand the gist of Smith's message -- but only after struggling with Smith's complex (and dismal) view of the current US political/social situation. I come away from my reading inspired to "bother" and to get involved in some of the ways that Smith suggests.
The following paragraph from the book's Introduction captures his theme well:
"Why bother? Only to be alive. Only to be real, to be made not just of what we acquire or do under instruction, but of what we think and do of our own free will. Only, Winston Churchill said, to fight while there is still a small chance so that we don't have to fight when there is none. Only to climb the rock face of risk and doubt in order to engage in the most extreme sport of all -- that of being a free and conscious human. Free and conscious even in a society that seems determined to reduce our lives to a barren pair of mandatory functions: consumption and compliance."
Average customer rating:
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Classical Music, Why Bother?: Hearing the World of Contemporary Culture Through a Composer's Ears
Joshua Fineberg
Manufacturer: Routledge
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 General
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Why Classical Music Still Matters (Simpson Book in the Humanities)
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Music: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)
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Who Needs Classical Music?: Cultural Choice and Musical Value
ASIN: 0415971748 |
Book Description
The famous quip "I don't know much about art, but I know what I like" sums up many people's ideas about how to judge a work of art; but there are inherent limitations if we rely on immediate impressions in judging what should be enduring products of our culture. While some might criticize this as a return to "elitism," Joshua Fineberg argues that without some way of determining intrinsic value, there can be no movement forward for creators or their audience. He draws on contemporary thought about "Design space" and "Universal Grammar" to show how intrinsic values can be rediscovered. He then looks at the importance of multimedia in allowing multiple points of entry for the discovering of new works, finally showing how the composer can "Design music for human beings"--creating a kind of art that can preserve the research agenda of conceptual work without renouncing the understanding of human listeners and performers embodied by craft.
Classical Music: Why Bother? will intrigue all listeners of contemporary music, students of musical thought, and composers-but it will also interest students of contemporary aesthetics. It answers the age-old question "How can we bring a new audience to contemporary art?" - and challenges both the creators and their audience to broaden their ideas about what is valuable and lasting in today's culture.
Average customer rating:
- Transcendent wit and comedy
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Why Bother? (BBC Radio Collection)
Manufacturer: BBC Audiobooks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD
Cooking
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Bedazzled
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Tragically I Was an Only Twin: The Complete Peter Cook
ASIN: 0563558601 |
Customer Reviews:
Transcendent wit and comedy.......2005-12-13
Two of my favourite comedic minds team up here for one of Cook's last performances. Morris, of On The Hour/The Day Today/Brass Eye fame is quick-witted and has a brilliantly honed interviewing style. Cook's Sir Arthur has moments of genuine pathos talking about his fictional past amidst the brilliant rejoinders and story-telling. Truly Cook at his best. This recording of 5 radio 4 interviews is sadly underrated.
Average customer rating:
- SEEING THE UNSEEN...
- Curl up with a blanket and get ready to GROW!
- Wondering About God?
- Very thought provoking
- A MUST READ!
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Why Bother Looking?: The Bible Study
Lynn Jarrett
Manufacturer: AuthorHouse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 1425975534 |
Book Description
As a companion to Lynn Jarrett's international bestselling book "Why Bother Looking? Finding God In Your Seasons of Life," this 6-week Bible study will allow you to explore how to: -Recognize God's work in all seasons of your life -Become more proactive in your relationship with God -Identify God's design for your life -Connect with God in refreshing and transforming ways AND MUCH MORE "Lynn has captured the ability to move you through life's predictable and sometimes painful seasons of life. Through her study she equips you with spiritual foundations that provide tools to assist in your daily living. As you study through her best seller, "Why Bother Looking?", you yourself will find the answer-the one all this time you have been looking for." Mindy Albright-speaker, author, Chaplain Founder of Woman at the Well Ministries This is an incredible study - 246 pages of Biblical, practical, life-changing insights delivered in bite size pieces. The perfect answer for every woman whose heart's desire is to grow spiritually and think more clearly about her life.Glenna Salsbury, Author of The Art of the Fresh Start
Customer Reviews:
SEEING THE UNSEEN..........2005-11-18
In his second letter to the Corinthians, the apostle Paul wrote, "as we look not to the things that are seen, but to the things things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."
In Why Bother Looking, Lynn Jarrett does an excellent job providing tools and perspective to help the reader find the eternal lurking behind our seemingly day to day lives.
I was recommended this book by a dear friend a few months ago. My only wish is that I'd have read it sooner.
Through the use of her own powerful lifestories, the author demonstrates processes and ways of thinking/living that can open our eyes to what God is doing in any life situation. She outlines four general categories or seasons--which mirror nature's four seasons--and then shares how we can find God at work in our lives no matter what we are facing (and the joy that comes with that).
One great strength of this book is that it puts the myth that we can absolutely control our circumstances to death. So many people (myself sadly sometimes included) waste so much energy and time beating themselves up for things they never had control over.
Life can be messy and smelly and altogether less than ideal.
Yet God can turn all the mess, all the smell, all the decay around us into a fertilizer from which to grow something great and beautiful and true.
Why Bother Looking points us to that God--the God that can take a kernel of wheat that falls to the ground and produce many more seeds; the God who takes the discarded and makes it into a cornerstone of something truly worthy of the word Awesome--something eternal.
No matter what you feel your season of life may be--from high noon on a beautiful summer's day, or midnight in the deepest darkest winter--there is something here for you to find.
I give Why Bother Looking my highest recommendation.
Curl up with a blanket and get ready to GROW!.......2005-11-15
"Why Bother Looking" touched my heart and gave me a new language to describe my life experiences. This is a simple, but powerfully written book with emotions and experiences we can all relate to. If you want to grow spiritually- Lynn Jarrett provides a beautiful guide to introspection! This is a must read and definately a book worth sharing with your loved ones.
Wondering About God?.......2005-11-14
Unlike many other arduous, obscure, self-discovery books, "Why Bother Looking?" is a clear and refreshing easy read. Lynn Jarrett thrifts through her message in a straightforward manner, taking her readers on a personal journey to help them see God's presence and character amidst life's circumstances. Worksheet-type questions are offered throughout the book to help clarify how one's own view of God has been shaped. "Why Bother Looking?" helps one to find positive purpose in past hurts and embrace the future with self-understanding and hope. Linda S.
Very thought provoking.......2005-10-10
Helped me to understand how to find God especially in the Autumn and Winter seasons of life. Highly recommend.
A MUST READ! .......2005-10-08
Lynn Jarrett not only captures the reality of the changes in our life that encounters both challenges and celebarations, she expounds further in how these seasons of change effect are view of God. It is amazing how we distort God's true character and formulate our own view of who God is by attaching them to our past negative relational expreinces, or dark seasons of life. God is relevant and personal through all our seasons of life. This book is refreshing, transforming, and empowering! A must read by all!
Average customer rating:
- PARTY
- Great Ideas and Sources
- BUY THIS BOOK!!!!!
- whimsical
- Why Bother?WHy Not: A Hollywood Insider Shows You How
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Why Bother? Why Not!: A Hollywood Insider Shows You How to Entertain Like a Star, in a Snap!
Laurin Sydney
Manufacturer: Collins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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Little Things Make A Big Difference (Puffy Books)
ASIN: 006019586X
Release Date: 2000-11-21 |
Book Description
After a decade of observing the charmed lives of the rich and famous in her job as coanchor of CNN's Showbiz Today, Laurin Sydney has found that many of the special touches that go into celebrities' magical lifestyles are not beyond the reach of the rest of us. It's not about an unlimited pot of gold -- it's about attitude.
Why Bother? Why Not! offers simple ways to make everyone in your life feel like a star. It's filled to the brim with juicy insider Hollywood stories and offers unique ideas on perfect parties, great gifts, wondrous wraps, fool-proof food, innovative invitations, and world-class travel tips that you can incorporate into your own home.
Throwing a big dinner party? You don't have to call a caterer, just call on your creativity -- and if show you don't think you have any, Laurin will show , you the way. Want to spice up your Sunday night spaghetti dinner? Do what Frank Sinatra used to do: For an unexpected centerpiece, fill an empty wine bottle with dried pasta; add the recipe for your not-so-secret sauce to the place cards; and give each guest spaghetti tongs as a parting gift.
How much money and effort do you want to spend? It's up to you. Laurin has divided her creative ideas into "Baby BOTHERS" and "Big BOTHERS," depending on the time, effort, and cost involved. As she shows us, a little bother can go a long way. For a friend's twenty-third birthday, buy twenty-three lottery tickets, twenty-three cigars, twenty-three issues of a favorite magazine -- whatever your pal would want! Even if you can afford a lavish gift, make it a special one. For a twenty-third wedding anniversary, buy a bottle of wine from the same vintage as the year the couple was married. Creativity is what makes your presents stand out, not cash.
Filled with whimsical illustrations and instructional photographs, Why Bother? Why Not! will show you how to turn life into a celebration.
Customer Reviews:
PARTY.......2003-06-09
I bought this book because my parent's were celebrating their 40th anniversary. My brothers and sisters and I wanted some ideas so that they would remember such a wonderful day. There were many ideas for both parties and gatherings and presents.
Great Ideas and Sources.......2003-06-08
Fun book filled with lots of inspirational ideas, sources and websites for gift giving, party giving, gift wrapping and more!
It's a great "idea book"!
BUY THIS BOOK!!!!!.......2002-07-28
I bought this book on the title alone. It is filled with hundreds of ideas for parties, gifts, etc. I recommend it for anyone who likes to be a little different and stand out in a crowd.
whimsical.......2001-02-21
What an excellent book! Simple things come to life. Ideas you wouldn't think about. It definitely serves as an excellent innerway to creativity, as well as a catalyst for further expansion. This is a great piece of work. I love the pictures, and the entire format of the book. I'm waiting for the second edition. Why Bother Why not II?
Why Bother?WHy Not: A Hollywood Insider Shows You How.......2001-01-26
We all want to entertain stylishly but don't always have the budget to accomplish this task. Or so I thought. After reading Laurin Syndey's book I realize that resourcefulness and creativity are all you need. She's given us a helpful map to chart out all the things we need to live life more graciously and stylishly. And unlike Martha Stewart, it's not so complicated...Thank you Laurin. What great tips and what a great way to approach life...
Average customer rating:
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You Can Do It! But Why Bother?TM: 101 Excuses for Bad Behavior & Stalling Personal Growth
Jeff St John
Manufacturer: iUniverse, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Humor
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Self-Help & Psychology
| Humor
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General
| Self-Help
| Health, Mind & Body
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General
| Parenting & Families
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ASIN: 0595416551 |
Book Description
You Can Do It! But Why Bother?
TM: 101 Excuses for Bad Behavior & Stalling Personal Growth is a humorous look at some of the most irrational reasons people use to rationalize rude and offensive behavior. "Today, I will cheat on my boyfriend, so he'll finally understand the concept that no one person can be there to meet his needs 100 percent of the time" and "Today, I will sabotage my friends' success, so they'll understand that sometimes things have to get worse before they can get better," are just some of the outlandish quips from the latest work of Jeff St. John. This funny little book will spark laughter and self-reflection while reminding everyone that humor and personal growth are both good medicine.
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Youth Asks Why Bother About God?
Alvin Rogness
Manufacturer: Thomas Nelson and Sons
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000J3G23M |
Average customer rating:
- "Big Brother, be warned..."
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Big Bother: Why Did That Reality TV Show Become Such a Phenomenon?
Toni Johnson-Woods
Manufacturer: University of Queensland Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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All Titles
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ASIN: 0702233153 |
Book Description
Big Brother is watching you, but who is watching Big Brother, and why?Big Bother answers these questions and more in this in-depth analysis of the Big Brother phenomenon. Not just a behind-the-scenes look at Australia's groundbreaking first series, this book is also a valuable companion for subsequent series.
Customer Reviews:
"Big Brother, be warned...".......2004-09-04
"Big Bother" by Dr. Toni Johnson-Woods examines the Australian "Big Brother" reality television program from a celabratory and popular culture theory perspective. Dr. Johnson-Woods lectures at the University of Queensland, and is (among other hats to wear) an expert in popular contemporary television.
Toni explores "Big Brother" in an international context, the production of of the program, the generic markers of "Big Brother" and reality television genre theory in general, the filmic techniques, the program's content and contestants, the audience, and the numerous media representations of the program. As "Big Brother" was such a successful and pervasive program within Australian television culture, it was very much worthy of investigation as a media case study.
I think that it is wonderful for our academics to be recording significant elements of contemporary culture, and using their research to define WHO we are at the moment, and WHAT we do in our recreation hours. Dr. Johnson-Woods has not only written an educational and informative book, but one that is fascinating to read. Five stars!
Books:
- Clown Girl: A Novel
- Complete Scoundrel: A Player's Guide to Trickery and Ingenuity (Dungeons & Dragons d20 3.5 Fantasy Roleplaying)
- Corporate Confidential: 50 Secrets Your Company Doesn't Want You to Know---and What to Do About Them
- Dangerous Games (Riley Jensen, Guardian, Book 4)
- Dragon Bones: A Red Princess Mystery (Red Princess Mysteries)
- Dragon of the Red Dawn (A Stepping Stone Book(TM))
- Dysfunctional Family Therapy (Mad Libs)
- Effective STL: 50 Specific Ways to Improve Your Use of the Standard Template Library (Addison-Wesley Professional Computing Series)
- Encyclopedia Prehistorica: Sharks and Other Sea Monsters
- Expedition to the Ruins of Greyhawk (Dungeons & Dragons d20 3.5 Fantasy Roleplaying Adventure)
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Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference?
Soul Survivor: How Thirteen Unlikely Mentors Helped My Faith Survive the Church
Disappointment with God
Rumors of Another World: What on Earth Are We Missing?
When We Hurt : Prayer, Preparation & Hope for Life's Pain (Yancey, Phillip)
Not the Author's Best Work.......2005-09-16
God's Call: Moral Realism, God's Commands, and Human Autonomy
Value and Virtue in a Godless Universe
Beyond Bumper Sticker Ethics: An Introduction to Theories of Right & Wrong
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Sam Smith's Great American Political Repair Manual: How to Rebuild Our Country So the Politics Aren't Broken and Politicians Aren't Fixed