Book Reviews
The Habits of Highly Deceptive Media
Norman Solomon
1999
The title says it all. The author recants examples where
truth is shifted and tells why. There isn't much analysis
just facts covering major stories and people in the US. I
have no love of the media (no TV, no newspaper) and agree
that the media has serious problems, but would have liked
statistics or an overview of where bias is found. Also
ways to spot bias and other sources of information.
It was Probably something you Ate.
Nicols Fox
1999
How common is food related illness and what causes it?
This book tries to show that food illness is much more
prevalent than it needs to be. Due to the way food is
processed most minor illness and unproven hazards are
ignored. Another problem is that food is distributed widely
and toxic foods are very difficult to detect. In times
past a local areas with toxic food sources would soon be
detected by observations of local health officials.
As always the problems are associated with competition and
profit.
Words and Rules
Steven Pinker
1999
This book would be boring for most of us. I found parts
interesting and it did show how we create meaning with
words. It proved that context often defines words and they
do not stand alone. One surprise was proof that we don't
have much freedom in combining words. Even this wild
irregular english language is more ordered than one would
expect.
The Mammal in the Mirror
(Understanding our Place in the Natural World)
David Barash & Ilona Brash
1999
This book covers ecology, sociobiology, evolution, and
seems to view humans and their creations as part of the
natural world. It is full of facts and ways to view the
world. Overall i'm not sure what it is trying to say.
Possibly it is just surveying the topic. I did not find
any solutions to problems just a hope for future
advancement that opens doors. This view really turns me
off but it will be popular with our culture (a magic
pill is just over the next hill).
Possibly this is a good book, i'm not sure. My bias
regarding empowerment gets activated when someone
attempts to substitute hope for responsibility and action.
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A little boy and his mother stopped in front of an abstract painting
in a gallery exhibition. "What is that?" asked the boy.
It's supposed to be a child and his dog," she replied.
"Well," demanded the boy. "Why isn't it?"
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jeff owens, [EMAIL PROTECTED], http://www.xprt.net/~jko
underground house, solar power, self-reliance, edible landscape
to leave ecopath: unsubscribe ecopath -> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
