CRAFT BEETLE

Value, Price and Profit

Reading...

Wage-Labour and Capital

I was already familiar with Real Wages, but I had not thought of Relative Wages which are really the root of the income inequality by definition. As well I have a new appreciation for the gig economy as as the ideal capitalist labor market, where all tasks are fractalized and staccato, disconnecting the laborer from the labor and for each other, opening the door for infinite scabs.

Abandoned Palestine Refugee

I met Ihmayed Ali and his daughter at a Palestinian book talk where they shared about their lives and experiences as Palestinian refugees. The talk was moving and eye opening. I then bought and read his book and was blown away by the images he shared. Ihmayed's autobiography is written in a very vivid and honest way. The things he goes through, the oppression and abuse, the survival and success. His story is representative of large portions of the Palestinian population, a people who endure despite incredible hardship. I highly recommend this book to anyone seeking a personal look at the Palestinian story.

Moby Dick

This book is absolutely massive. Melville clearly loves and knows much about whaling and he wants to share it all and it takes 600 pages to do so. I didn't love the book in all honesty but I do respect it. It is one of the oldest books I've read and had it come out in recent decades someone would have made him cut it down but I'm glad it exists in its entirety. A book about whales ought to be massive. I wouldn't recommend most people read it but the audiobook by William Hootkins is very good. I switch to it about half way through reading my physical copy.

Principles of Communism

An easy introduction into communist theory. This is absolutely a must read that lays out communism for the layman. I found it put already known and understood concepts into a new perspective, shed a light on some connection previously missed.

Strong Towns

Thinking...

To Kill A Mockingbird

If ever there was a manual on how to be a good father, this would be a contender. This also goes for what it means to be a man. The way Harper Lee describes Atticus's interactions with his children and his community and the high regard in which they hold him shows what a man of integrity is, and shoots dead the idea that people in the past were simply a product of their time. A wonderful read and a pretty good movie.

The Dispossessed

A beautiful book that explores one possible way that anarcho-communism could exist. Le Guin does a great job of constructing a believable society with all of its struggles and beauty. Even if this isn't the exact way I imagine an ideal world, I find inspiration and hope in the refutation of the status quo as all that there ever could be. If this is a plausible formulation of society, what else is possible? A worthwhile and captivating read.

Children of Memory

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2001: A Space Odyssey

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Children of Ruin

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Born

A neat view into the origins of the Punisher. One can easily see how plausible this course of character development is and how it leads to one to believe that they are the law and that their violence is justified. A valuable window into cop culture.

Head Lopper

Head Lopper achieved exactly what it set out to do. It was beautiful and entertaining. At no point do you feel the head lopper could fail, and that's okay. I enjoyed reading the printed trade in one quiet summer night. I may read the other entries in the series in the future.

Children of Time

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1984

What can I say about 1984 that hadn't been said already? I originally decided to read this book so that I could confidently say "I read 1984". I only half joke. But as I got into the book I discovered what all the hype was about. It wasn't mind blowing but I also read it in a post 1984 world which has for nearly 80 years been deeply affected by it. My most appreciated part of the book is how long ago it was written and how it remains relevant today.

Solaris

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Elder Race

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Transmetropolitan

This comic, and Spider Jerusalem, are one of my favorites. Real politics and journalism in a near future US city. It gave me the same feeling of appreciation for journalism that A Taxi Driver (the Korean film) gave me. The world needs more Spider Jerusalem's that do true honest journalism at all costs and by all means necessary.

Snow Crash

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Brave New World

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