Thursday, September 28, 2017

Today I read two chapters from Richard Farson's book "Management of the Absurd".  Chapter 6 and Chapter 8 (I read chapter 7 last Tuesday).

Chapter 6 Most Problems that People have are not Problems.  Again in this chapter as in the previous ones.  Mr. Farson fails to define his terms or provide any references.  He does make a passing reference to a "philosopher" named Abraham Kaplan and then goes on to demand that everyone reading his book simply take-his-word-for-it.  He wants everyone to assume he is right and that his conclusions are valid while he claims that:  1.  Most problems are predicaments.  2. Predicaments can't be solved only coped with.  3.  Coping requires interpretive rather than analytical thinking.

Chapter 8 We Think that we Invent Technology, but Technology also Invents us.  This chapter is not only devoid of foundation but also smuggles determinism.  Determinism is the falsehood that states that humans have no free will and that human behavior is determined by forces beyond human control.  Once determinism has been smuggled in the rest is easy.  Technology forces us to...1.  Live in suburbs.  2.  Fence our yards.  3.  Abuse our children.  4.  Reorganize our organizations.  This chapter also boldly declares that technology is autonomous, that it has a life of its own, that it "rides mankind" and that it rolls over us like an unstoppable juggernaut.

The ultimate aim of this book is leadership.  If you want to learn to be a good leader, a good change-agent then read Richard Farson's book to do as he does not do as he says.

September 26, 2017

Last Sunday I read Chapter 5 and today I read Chapter 7 of Richard Farson's book "Management of the Absurd".

Both chapters had to do with technology and how it shapes us and backfires.  In both chapters Mr. Farson fails to define his terms.  For instance what exactly constitutes "technology"? 

September 24, 2017

I have been reading from a non-fiction work by Richard Farson called "Management of the Absurd".  I am going to read chapter 4 today.  So far the book is a fascinating look into American counter-culture and how counter culture proponents attempt to get into the American psyche.  Mr. Farson's efforts involve substituting story-telling and verbal picture-painting for definitions and references. Another sophisticated technique used by the author is the liberal use of fallacies such as "take my word for it", "post hoc, ergo propter hoc" and "true until proven false".  It's an entertaining read despite its flaws.

September 3, 2017

Yesterday I read Law 44 "Disarm and Infuriate with the Mirror Effect".  The author (Robert Greene) insists that mirroring your "opponents"  actions will bring you power by frustrating and angering them. Mr. Greene gives an example from grade school in which another child mimics your every word.  Yes this is infuriating and it usually results in the rebuke and ostracizing of the child doing the mimicry.  There is no true power in holding up a mirror to anyone.  Power is the authority to meet one's responsibilities.  Any power in excess is usurpation or tyranny.  This law doesn't teach one how to be responsible it teaches one to manipulate, bully and intimidate.