All Consuming : wakalix

Consuming "The Office: Season Four"

nobody@allconsuming.net (wakalix) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:05:28 GMT

The Office: Season Four

Consumed "The Office - Season Three"

nobody@allconsuming.net (wakalix) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:05:16 GMT

The Office - Season Three

WORTH IT!

Consuming "Radicals for Capitalism: A Freewheeling History of the Modern American Libertarian Movement"

nobody@allconsuming.net (wakalix) — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 22:40:48 GMT

Radicals for Capitalism: A Freewheeling History of the Modern American Libertarian Movement

by Brian Doherty

A review of "In Treatment, Season 1"

nobody@allconsuming.net (wakalix) — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 18:55:01 GMT

In Treatment, Season 1

by Hagai Levi

My wife and I enjoyed this series, except for the plot line with Laura. For a psychologist to behave as Paul (the main character) did is a disgrace to the profession. It was painful to watch.

The Sophie character and plot line was wonderful. Alex was quite good, too.

Consumed "In Treatment, Season 1"

nobody@allconsuming.net (wakalix) — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 18:55:01 GMT

In Treatment, Season 1

by Hagai Levi

WORTH IT!

Consumed "Discover Your Inner Economist: Use Incentives to Fall in Love, Survive Your Next Meeting, and Motivate Your Dentist"

nobody@allconsuming.net (wakalix) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:17:01 GMT

Discover Your Inner Economist: Use Incentives to Fall in Love, Survive Your Next Meeting, and Motivate Your Dentist

by Tyler Cowen

WORTH IT!

Consumed "Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die"

nobody@allconsuming.net (wakalix) — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 17:23:46 GMT

Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die

by Chip Heath

WORTH IT!

A review of "The Price of Everything: A Parable of Possibility and Prosperity"

nobody@allconsuming.net (wakalix) — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 06:54:28 GMT

The Price of Everything: A Parable of Possibility and Prosperity

by Russell Roberts

Economist Russ Roberts set a modest goal of writing a novel to illustrate the importance of prices in an economy, and hence our lives. Pedagogical fiction is tough, as the communicating what you want to teach can come at the expense of the art form. Yet Roberts does a good job with it, and the end of the book is quite poignant. His notes at the end are also well worth it.

For a taste, check out his podcast here. (Russ Roberts hosts a weekly podcast on ecomomics called EconTalk.) See also the Cato Institute even forum here and here for the first chapter.

A story about "Mistakes Were Made (But Not by Me): Why We Justify Foolish Beliefs, Bad Decisions, and Hurtful Acts"

nobody@allconsuming.net (wakalix) — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 01:52:46 GMT

Mistakes Were Made (But Not by Me): Why We Justify Foolish Beliefs, Bad Decisions, and Hurtful Acts

by Carol Tavris

My short blog post about this book is here:
http://www.wakalix.com/wp/2008/09/07/mistakes/

A story about "Sledge Hammer! - Season Two"

nobody@allconsuming.net (wakalix) — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 05:52:31 GMT

Sledge Hammer! - Season Two

by Martha Coolidge

It’s not quality TV, but I loved it when I was 11 years old, and “the kid” inside of me still enjoys it.

A story about "The Vision of the Anointed: Self-Congratulation As a Basis for Social Policy"

nobody@allconsuming.net (wakalix) — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 03:30:43 GMT

The Vision of the Anointed: Self-Congratulation As a Basis for Social Policy

by Thomas Sowell

I link to a summary of the book (60+ pages of quotes) and one of my favorites quotes is here.

A story about "Walking With Cavemen"

nobody@allconsuming.net (wakalix) — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 04:43:29 GMT

Walking With Cavemen

by John Lynch

This is one of the best documentaries I’ve seen from Netflix. The relationship between climate change (> 1 million years ago) and human evolution evolution was fascinating. It’s an interesting way of doing a documentary – actors play Neanderthals and other homo-[] who go about their lives according to the best guess of scientists analyzing fossil remains.

See this link for the BBC page:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sn/prehistoric_life/tv_radio/wwcavemen

A story about "Words that Work: It's Not What You Say, It's What People Hear"

nobody@allconsuming.net (wakalix) — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 06:21:43 GMT

Words that Work: It's Not What You Say, It's What People Hear

by Frank Luntz

I would have enjoyed this book more had it been shorter. Seemed like filler in the last 2/3.

A story about "Investment Madness: How Psychology Affects Your Investing...And What To Do About It"

nobody@allconsuming.net (wakalix) — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 01:56:55 GMT

Investment Madness: How Psychology Affects Your Investing...And What To Do About It

by John R. Nofsinger

I’ve written a blog post about this book here.

Why I recommend "Improvise Better: A Guide for the Working Improviser"

nobody@allconsuming.net (wakalix) — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 05:14:58 GMT

Improvise Better: A Guide for the Working Improviser

by Jimmy Caranne and Liz Allen

This is an excellent and very brief book for practicing improvisers. It points out common pitfalls and how to get out of them with the proper mindset and fun exercises. It’s a very quick read, and worth it. See the following page for more:
http://fuzzyco.com/improv/books/improvising_better.html

A question I have about "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (wakalix) — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 16:56:07 GMT

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7)

by J. K. Rowling

Notes while I read this:

1. Rowling says it’s not a good idea to summon Kreacher, though Harry et al would like to know what’s going on. He might be accompanied by a bad guy “hanging on.” Then why not prepare for that by being ready to kill a bad guy if he comes along?

This leads to another observation: the “good guys” never seem to kill “bad guys” even when it’s self-defense.

2. Harry et al. have gone quite a long way w/o bothering to figure out what’s up with what Dumbledore left Harry. He tried to open it once, but not since. They’re sitting around wondering how to find the Horcruxes, but are not using these as clues. How long can Rowling use this as an open loop?

3. And why don’t wizards disapparate when they’re in a tight spot and about to be killed? For example, Harry’s parents? (OK, one of the pitfalls of having “magic” in the world…you have to set up boundaries to keep the plot going.)

A story about "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Book 5)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (wakalix) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 00:38:23 GMT

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Book 5)

by J. K. Rowling

I like the political commentary of bumbling bureaucrats more concerned with image than the job their supposed to be doing, and how government interferes with education.

I’m in Book 6 now, and it seems that Book 5 (this one) has a large hole in the plot concerning how Harry and Sirius communicate. But maybe this gets cleared up later.

A story about "Mambo Sinuendo"

nobody@allconsuming.net (wakalix) — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 21:09:10 GMT

Mambo Sinuendo

by Ry Cooder

Closest I’ve found to surf-jazz.

Why I want to consume "Don't Think of an Elephant: Know Your Values and Frame the Debate--The Essential Guide for Progressives"

nobody@allconsuming.net (wakalix) — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 21:08:17 GMT

Don't Think of an Elephant: Know Your Values and Frame the Debate--The Essential Guide for Progressives

by George Lakoff

I am interested in how people arrive at their political beliefs and linguist Lakoff has some ideas on the subject. Yet, he’s also steeped in lef-wing Statism, so it’s interesting to see what “frame” he uses to view government. He explicitly says it’s that of a nurturing parent. Great, so he sees adults as children.

Fellow linguist Steven Pinker harshly critiques Lakoff in The New Republic.

I also recommend The Myth of the Rational Voter by Bryan Caplan and Mike Huemer’s Why People are Irrational About Politics”.

A story about "Secrets of Libertarian Persuasion"

nobody@allconsuming.net (wakalix) — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 21:06:33 GMT

Secrets of Libertarian Persuasion

by Michael Cloud

Michael Cloud is a rare gem in the freedom movement because he studies how to present free-market arguments in a persuasive way. This book is a compilation of his Persuasion Points found in the on-line Liberator, published by the Advocates of Self-Government.

A story about "Action Packed: Best of the Capitol Years"

nobody@allconsuming.net (wakalix) — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 21:01:57 GMT

Action Packed: Best of the Capitol Years

by Richard Thompson

So far I like Richard Thompson enough for a greatest hits compilation, but not his whole collection. I heard a song of his called “I got the hots for the smarts” on 88.5 FM WXPN in Philadelphia, and would love to find a copy. As far as I know, it’s unreleased. Anyone have it on mp3 or WMA?