Book Review: Overdoing Democracy

 Overdoing Democracy by ROBERT B TALISSE asks and answers a question that attracted me a lot - Why We Must Put Politics in its Place. It begins with an overview of the ills, politics lives with, while proclaiming, better politics cannot be the solution because politics is the problem. And it goes on to examine a lot of issues in this regard.

Like, can democracy be overdone? Is there a desirable degree of democracy? How, because of the ever-increasing reach of democracy, overdoing it becomes an internal, significant issue. On further diagnosis, political saturation and polarization are found to be critical issues, and the book goes on to prescribe remedies also. Not attending to these shall end up undermining democracy by overdoing it.

I find this an eye-opening study. How, a good ideal like the popularization of diversity in areas like race, or religion, has been accompanied by a not-so-good one like increased homogeneity of the same dimension, among the very same people. So, there is a need to put politics in its place, without derogating or reprimanding of democracy. As the book makes it clear, if we disregard these signs, an overdone democracy’s place shall lie with the privileged few. 

Book Review: Bring One Home

 Bring One Home, by Thomas I Pelissero, is about boyhoods buoyant with basketball. It begins with a sketch of the Bessemer Speed Boys, narrating the wins and struggles that keep waking up the complete town.

Few initial chapters chronicle, the hard days of miners, logging camps, and rail roads, and many other activities that support the small city of Bessemer. The book then goes on to acquaint us with the city board of education and the laurels it brought. Followed by chapters dealing with big topics of the times, like the assassination of Kennedy, President Johnson and the Vietnam conflict, and the toll, all these had on the Speedboys.

All the sixty four chapters of this book beats with youth, fun, and games, and tells how the Speedboys rose to hold their flag high by winning district tournaments, regional titles, and state championship. I found it an engaging work with a fast pace. A good collection of old photographs are also there to bring a few forgotten days, back to life. 

Book Review: ROLE MODELSHIP

 ROLE MODELSHIP by ELI POTTER is about the impact of role models and roles, in the age of AI. Part 1 begins by listing ten habits, one can practice to positively influence AI. Here, charting our future requires defining new human products and roles that can add greater value, it says. And a role modelship that can demonstrate things like unification and harmony between various disciplines, or educating AI on decision frameworks. Also, a close look at different role models like detractors, multipliers, or stabilizers. A crucial element for success is covered next, which involves regular assessments of human, organizational, and product health. Part 2 discuss multidisciplinary role models, the organizations, techniques, and the need to adapt, evolve, and integrate new paradigms into their lives. Part 3 discuss the importance of change, and how to choose the kind of role model that fits best. Come to part 4, and the talk is about inspiring future generations by building on past lessons. How, role modelship can be the antidote to AI’s limitations, while offering the human, guardrails and grounding that AI lacks today. 

This is a very interesting book. It lays the foundation for wiring humans and AI to perform together as a role model. When every one is looking out for fresh principles and techniques to address effectively and keep in step with the fast changing world, this book proposes 'Role Modelship in the age of AI' that can ensure complete, compassionate leadership.