This topic is appropriate for just the right amount of nerdiness gone wild. The premise being, are we in an advanced simulation of a videogame (not a joke, pure non-fiction).
Continue reading Are We In A Game Simulation?
Are We In A Game Simulation?
Left or Right: What Can We Learn About Limitarianism?
This is a very interesting topic that explores economics in a new way. The basic concept is to take from the rich and give to the poor, but a step further. Allowing everyone to be millionaires by capping how much everyone has.
Continue reading Left or Right: What Can We Learn About Limitarianism?
“Poverty, by America”: Review
Why does the poverty line exist? This is one of the questions that Matthew Desmond seeks to discover in this detailed expose’. Not that there is a valid answer. We will continue to ask this question without actual validity.
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The Radium Girls Book Review: The Nonfiction Horror Story
This book is amazingly terrifying. A horrific work of [non]fiction. The descriptions seem sensationalized, at first. Google these ladies. If you can stomach it. Those aren’t images that will easily go away. If you are easily frightened by graphic content, then you might avoid further research. Read more below.
Continue reading The Radium Girls Book Review: The Nonfiction Horror StoryIn Love: Book Review
The writing is terrible but that is not the purpose of a book like this. It reads similar to an intimate portrait of someone’s diary. It’s a unique love story that really embraces the definition of “’til death do us part.”
It gives pause to “the system” of the United States and where law versus rights hit a crossroads. What rights do we have when the choice is truly not ours? Should we be in full control of our bodies and the outcome of life/death on our terms, not nature’s?
Ultimately, this book gives a firsthand account of what happens when those rights, or lack thereof, are realized. Unfortunately, this is an expensive decision. Even if it were allowed in the US. To be clear, there are some states that allow assisted suicide but with heavy restrictions. This couple had to travel to Zurich as a last resort.
Even so, there are still restrictions but there is more leniency about having choices when you have a fatal condition, anyway. So it is not for anybody with suicidal thoughts. There is an extensive vetting process. It’s hard to know if you should be sad or happy for them, as the “happy” ending depends on your perspective.
I’m Love: A Memoir of Love and Loss by Amy Bloom.
The God Delusion: review
Richard Dawkins, author of The God Delusion, has a strong opinion about religion. In case the title didn’t give that away. Humanity uses religion as a crutch to explain bad behavior and the traumatic parts of life. Are his thoughts off, or is he the delusional one?
Read with caution,
Continue reading The God Delusion: reviewThe Wife Upstairs: Review
I’m not sure why McFadden continues to make her female protagonist ditzy oblivious damsels in awe of any man nearby. Can someone be independent without relying on a guy for comfort and well-being? I wonder how much of these books are the author projecting.
The premise does pose an interesting question: what is acceptable when you want to remain with a partner who is incapable or disinterested in intimacy? Do you leave for your own selfish reasons, or do you stay and find a compromise? But what would the compromise be if it involves another person, or is it “technically” not cheating if your partner refuses to ever again be touched?
Regardless, this would not be the case for the characters here because she was a caretaker for his wife. Regardless of if he was lonely or not, he’s married, and the wife is in the next room. How much more indecent can you be? Where are the morals?
The side plot with Freddy was unnecessary and only served one purpose, which was near the conclusion. Otherwise, he was an insignificant flat character.
I thought I figured out the plot but it turns out that the author knew the reader would “think” that was the twist. She did get me in that regard. Very clever.
The epilogue could have been cut out. It was almost like she had no idea what to do with Irena and Maggie. I get that it is to tie things back to the beginning, but it felt rushed and inconcise.
As usual, great writing and overall presentation with a few misgivings. I’m still on the Freida train but hoping some of the themes change.
The Wife Upstairs by Freida McFadden
The Way Home: Tales from a life without technology: Review
I always love reading these stories and commend those who go the extra mile to give up technology or make a significant contribution to nature by way of isolation and minimalism. However, the same moral questions always come up for me. I’ll get to those shortly.
Continue reading The Way Home: Tales from a life without technology: ReviewAdult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents: How to Heal from Distant, Rejecting, or Self-Involved Parents: Review
To some degree, this book isn’t really about “emotionally immature” parents but simply about… parents. I’d argue that first time parents are automatically classified under this group regardless of background, status, or demographic.
Continue reading Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents: How to Heal from Distant, Rejecting, or Self-Involved Parents: Review
“It’s Too Late.” Says Who?
I’ve always been a bit introverted. I strongly believe that everyone has some level of being ambiverted. I had an ex who told me that it was too late for me to make friends. This was while I was a non-traditional college student trying my best to make connections. I believed him.
This caused me to latch on strongly to relationships because I felt that was all I had. I’ve only recently realized how untrue that was.
I admit, it was hard for me to find friends in high school or college who I connected with on a deeper level due to past trauma. I didn’t trust many people, and I still don’t. But, everyone is not the enemy. Everyone is not “fake” with false motives. Moreover, you can make friends with shared interests as an adult.
Granted, it does take effort and initiative. I felt a bit lost at first while I was single. I tried random events, forums, outings, etc. in my quest to develop something. Eventually, it did work!
I gained a close friend group who I care about and vice versa. It made me realize the importance of “friends” and who will be there during the ups and downs.
I had a chat with one of those friends recently about how often this can also backfire. There is a particular friend who always disappears while in a relationship and returns when things don’t work out. It’s noticeable.
At some point, people will give up on you as being a genuine person. You will have no one to turn to once it fails (this does not mean that it will). However, I believe you should give 6 months to a year in a romantic relationship before you begin to prioritize your relationship over your friends. Even then, it is to balance your time with both.
The friend mentioned above blamed “work” as the reason for not being around as much, but we knew that was not true. The heavy workload only seemed to increase when the relationship was thriving. We were “missed” when things were not going well or ended.
This reminded me of myself. I certainly clung to my past partners and gave up on the idea of friends entirely. It’s healthy to have a friend group. It doesn’t have to be a large circle but someone other than a relative or romantic partner is essential to emotional wellbeing.
If you’re an introvert like me, I can feel your eye roll. I get it, but I urge you to consider ways to make a new connection that isn’t forceful or heavy-handed (ie, sending email, social media, and text blasts to hang out with people you have not spoken to in years). Let it flow naturally and see what comes of it.
That’s what will ultimately last.
Behind the Fog: The Peaks & Valleys of Life. 
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