Not electrical power. The other kind, social power. The ability to influence other people and events. What psychologist Dacher Keltner says is the ability to make a difference. Continue reading
Blog Posts and Writings Tagged: Book review
Blog 97. Seven Brief Lessons–without time
It’s about a space without time.
A small book, just a quarter-inch thick, made the New York Times bestseller list: SEVEN BRIEF LESSONS ON PHYSICS* by Carlo Rovelli. Bestseller? With that title? Continue reading
Blog 76. Conspiracy Theories of American Government
These days, the term* “conspiracy theory” connotes a kooky opinion held by paranoid people. The truth is more serious. Continue reading
Blog 74. Common Ground on Hostile Turf
In her book, Common Ground on Hostile Turf, Lucy Moore shows that resolution of conflict depends more on the sharing of personal stories than on the facts, legal arguments, or moral claims of the parties. Continue reading
Blog 66. America’s Unreal Ideals
Among industrial nations, America is unusual, perhaps totally unique. So says political scientist John Kindgon in his small book, America the Unusual. Continue reading
Blog 65. Ambiguities of Experience
My neighbor, James G. March, wrote a little book entitled The Ambiguities of Experience*. March is emeritus professor in the departments of business, political science, and sociology at Stanford University. Continue reading
Blog 63. Hope
A scientist looks at problems to solve, not at things that are well understood and running smoothly. Continue reading
Blog 51. Book report: The Sense of an Ending, by Julian Barnes
This existential novella presents two parts of a life story and an unspoken questioning of life itself. Continue reading