Style: Non-fiction
Manufacturing Happy Citizens
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This book explores how the wellness industry has built itself by telling us that we’re not complete without whatever trick they have to offer. One of my favourite insights comes near the end where the author states that happiness doesn’t fit into our lives now, we have to shape our lives around the ideas that
Jaws – The Story of a Hidden Epidemic
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Jaws explores the idea that our jaw is becoming undersized and it’s a hidden thing that no one but the author sees. The “establishment” won’t recognize the problem, but keeps treating the symptom only. The first hint that this book might not be as good as the author thinks is that it’s co-author is Paul
The PARA Method
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I haven’t enjoyed Forte’s work thus far, but it was this book that made me realize why. I’ve been reading them as books about knowledg, but that’s not what Forte is writing about. He’s dealing with a new type of productivity system that is meant to deal with all the knowledge coming at a worker
Automation and the Future of Work
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The purpose of this book is to explore the possibilities of a post scarcity society and whether work should really be the center of meaning in our world. According to the author we must start to move past capitalism towards a way of organizing society that doesn’t put your only value as work in exchange
How to Destroy Surveillance Capitalism
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Cory Doctorow’s book explores Surveillance Capitalism and how we already have the tools around to deal with Big Tech, we just have to use the laws in place to hold technology companies to account instead of letting them get away with stealing our future. I got the most out of his look at digital locks
Sideways – The City Google Couldn’t Buy – Josh O’Kane
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This is a book about the hubris of Google thinking that despite what all levels of government told them about the Toronto Waterfront project, they would not be able to simply assume their way into more land and more tracking of people. It’s a good look at how Big Tech companies get us to believe
The Tyranny of Merit – Michael J Sandel
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In The Tyranny of Merit, Michael J. Sandel takes a hard look at the oft-touted meritocracy. Does it work? Is it a valid way to “get ahead”? No it doesn’t really work, unless you’re already winning financially and have something to fall back on so that you get many attempts to show your merit. The
The Devils Curve – Arno Kopecky
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What does Canada do with it’s mining interests on the edge of the Amazon? Arno Kopecky brings us a well researched book showing that we’re willing to destroy the land somewhere that’s not our backyard if it brings us profit. We’re willing to collude with terrible government regimes that violently remove their citizens as long
The Data Detective – Tim Harford
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In The Data Detective, Tim Harford takes a good look at how statistics are presented to us in various mediums working to help readers develop the tools needed to evaluate the claims being put forward in society. If you’re going to follow one rule from the book, be curious. Don’t just take claims at face
A World Without Email – Cal Newport
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Despite being a Newport fan, I’m not sure that this is required reading in the productivity genre. Newport does have some good ideas that you may be able to implement to cut your email workflow, but I don’t think he’s making the big leap in productivity that he feels knowledge work needs to see the
