Book Review: Unrivaled: Sewanee 1899

   Unrivaled: Sewanee 1899 by Norman Jetmundsen & Karin Dupree Fecteau

  This is about a football team that perhaps had the best season in college football history. In 1899, winning all 12 of their games, they came to be known as the greatest team of all time. The book begins with a narrative on the introduction of football in the early 1890s with a peep into the notable games and events that happened. Followed by a short history about the introduction and growth of the game in Sewanee, where one can also relish the grand matches of that era. Next chapter describes the year 1899, and Sewanee's standing in the whole tapestry of inter-collegiate football. A good look at the team's journeys, games, results, and the honours that fell due. Further, a rich collection of footnotes is there to join missing links, if any.

This is a collector's item that traces the full path of the 1899 team, answering who, what, and where all they are now. With relevant pictures, charts, newspaper clippings, and original records, it can keep both history buffs and football enthusiasts equally busy. Not only that it is a well-researched work, but also is replete with romantic sketches of all things that happened at that time. A good read, indeed.  

Book Review: To Stop a Tyrant

This book discusses ways to preempt political tyranny, before it fully blossoms into one. Since followers create their leaders, the good, the bad, and the dangerous, it covers the complete environment of leaders, followers, and the institutions.

It begins with a survey of the global political landscape that shows a regression to authoritarian rule, whether the encroachment is coming from “the left” or “the right. Followed by an analysis of distinctive circles of followers in different proximity to the leader, paying particular attention to three interacting elements: leadership, followers, and context. The book then examines the makings of a follower of a political leader and the abstract elements of activism. Further chapters discuss the role of bureaucrats in translating the vision and policies of political leaders into programs that affect all. 

I admire the clarity of ideas presented in the book, many a time illustrated with real-life examples. Like, how activism is not primarily a rational act, and, if unchecked, would become another yoke of tyranny. And the distinctive division of followers into conformist, those who collude, and courageous. Or, the significance of values and the institutions designed to keep them serving us.

An Evolution Post Evolution

Birth of A Violent Human Society - An Evolution Post Evolution

After Darwin

Modern human evolved from where Darwin ended. There is nothing to suggest a messy human life, then.  But now, almost all the writings that deal with topics related to our life and living is in complete agreement, about one conclusion. Human life is in a mess, everywhere. Disorder is rampant among those well to do, those not so, and also with all others. What is the reason?

Unless we take the human as a species that has a natural proclivity to self-destructive behavior and violence, there has to be discernible reason for it to be so. Something caused a violent modern man to evolve from a human that followed one of the monkeys.

For finding out, let us once again look at our journey from a brute to the civilized one of today. Examining the path we have taken so far, a little thoroughly. Assume that the fundamental characteristics, like an inquisitive nature, was more or less the same as of today. And also, the propensity to choose the best option, from whatever the current circumstances would offer. That makes each and every one remaining at all tiles, happy and contended for having demonstrated one’s abilities to its brim.

The Old Human

Let us say, from the very first batch itself, human would have been amazed by the variety and attractiveness of all that caught their eye. So, probably, all that they encountered, or otherwise grabbed their time, kept remaining with them as memories or experiences, an accumulated version of which, guiding all further endeavors.

As always, a few among them would have been of a different build or on a deviating trip. They perhaps thought of a possibility of arriving at fresh, different, and more interesting things or its spirit by subjecting the accumulated memory to further manipulation. Succeeding generations followed such a path, the resulting product getting greatly celebrated as knowledge. Our world has never been the same, ever since.

The Singularity of Teaching

Now look. So far, all people would have been monitoring all that they came across, while adding all of those to their memory, ideas of relative merit, significance, etc., yet to germinate. Sure, many among them would have been finding it heavily taxing and would have been on the lookout for a respite. But, at least a few would have been there to relish these and share the burden. What else for others to do but to hold these few in high esteem.

Those who relished it, pressed on with the job and continued to create more knowledge. The more, the laurels that came their way, the harder, their resolve.

Others kept on raining accolades and adulation, making the few come up with even more new and varied vistas of knowledge. In some time, perhaps over some generations, the new entity of knowledge made whatever memories or experience they possessed, redundant. And, as a direct result, those who labored and happened to be successful in the activities related to manipulation of such experiences scaled the pinnacle of acceptability, and heralded the birth of a new profession, teaching.

The Modern Human

Now see. The original style of human living, one nurturing an ever-increasing stock of experience, and taking guidance from those for all their endeavors, died a death. Over time, different ideas that were germinating from such experiences, also came to a full stop. Difference in intellectual build, so far, quite likely viewed as another(harmless) attribute like height, or color, became a variable that is open to manipulation. In all these cases, the new entity called teaching acted as a total replacement for the natural distribution of personal assets. Perhaps, the novelty content of the changed circumstances kept the populace glued to it. Or, the opportunity of escaping from a job of drudgery made the common people go for it.

Over time, teaching took over the role of nature. Consequently, the drive that nature provides to every form of life to follow its style of living, came to a halt. Rather, the drive is being replaced by the current product or state of knowledge, something not equally within the grasp of all. Naturally, inequality has become enshrined for good. If a violent society does not result from this, what else will?

Another 'Hub'

 I think, we all need to think a lot about thinking. Done my bit.. 

Book Review: The Consumer Insights Revolution

 The Consumer Insights Revolution by Steve Phillips and others.

This book is a good, impactful description of the hard work that goes behind creating products and building business that resonate with people. How to connect brands to the lives and needs of consumers. 

It is in two parts. In part 1, the book dwells on consumer centricity and market research. How innovative concepts tend to surprise us by bringing up new challenges and the necessity of varied and unimagined working practices. How, to remain relevant, one constantly needs to rethink, become digitalized and democratized, and be more strategic. Part 2 of the book is about the practical aspects of the above and meeting the needs of an agile market research. How to design a framework powered by technology that consolidates and organizes data, while enabling people to analyze and learn from it in a dynamic way. How, it could lead to the formation of a digital platform that would remove reliance on market research vendors. And how to introduce such ideas in ways that encourage and enliven all to feel positive and welcoming about it.

With well laid out chapters, bulleted lists, and a good directory of technical terms, this book can be an effective guide to insightful and analysis-heavy research.

Book Review: Toxic Infertility

Toxic Infertility by Deidre Bloomquist

This is a book filled with thoughtful and practical tips to boost fertility in a natural way. While doing so, it discusses the often-overlooked factors, like environmental toxins and lifestyle choices, which grossly and silently affect reproductive health. You also will have the latest in science, of course, as short and simple steps that can make the journey to parenthood, one of joy.

The book is in two parts. In part one, the book examines the root of fertility challenges, putting it in people-friendly terms. It traverses a wide field of contaminants like heavy metals, plastics, pesticides, and radioactivity, listing the consequences that can happen to our body. Part two is about restoring our body. How to clear one's body of toxins, how to restore affected systems and parts, and what nutrients are necessary, are only some of the topics that are covered beautifully. Step by step instructions are provided, both the accessibility and affordability of the recommended programs and procedures getting special attention. A chapter on pre-conception planning, and another on hormone health, turns this book into a comprehensive guide for anyone who is thinking of the baby-way.

I also find, not only that this book is a page-turner, but also is of immense value as an academic aid, thanks to the logical presentation of ideas. For example, 'if iron anemia persists...consider the fact that all organisms utilize iron to survive, and pathogens in the gut may be stealing this nutrient from you...'. With, a writing that boasts of a conversational style and, a content with a disarming clarity of thought and an exhaustive index, the book refuses to be put down.

Another Book

Presently, wisdom is highly valued, and enjoying a position that is lofty enough to overshadow everything else. I think, there is room for a rethink. A wisdom-free life will most likely lead us to a better future.

Published a Book 'Is Wisdom, a Must?'