Sunday, November 20, 2005
Freakonomics!
What do Japanese sumo wrestlers and public school teachers in Chicago have in common? They cheat!
Which is a child more likely to die from: a gun or swimming pool? A swimming pool!
Why do drug dealers live with their moms? They don't make enough money to have their own place!
These are just a few of wild and crazy topics that economist Steve Levitt expounds upon in this incredibly interesting book. I know absolutely nothing about economics (except that oil companies gouged us on gas prices over the summer and fall!), but Levitt doesn't really talk about them. Instead, he applied economic theories and tool and applies them to weird stuff (like what do real estate agents do differently when they sell their own house?) that we encounter in everyday life.
When you stop and think about his conclusions, they aren't all that earth shattering. It is just that you would never think about the questions he asks. This is very engaging book that is very easy to read (even for people like me who can barely balance a check book.) If you're looking for something to cleanse your palette, this is a great way to do it.
Overall Rating: 2 Stars
Sunday, November 06, 2005
Blue Like Jazz
After Kirk the Rock Star and John the Hip Single (if you read the book you'll get the names) both recommended the book, I finally caved in and read it. It should be noted that both of them are died in the wool postmoderns and I am not.
Miller strings together personal stories, reflections, and musings to create a very accessible examination the gospel in everyday life. He takes on such topics as faith, money, sex, confession, and love by coming in the back door. His quaint stories about his world of friends provide the context for trying to live as a Christian in a secular world. Sometimes preachy, often humorous, and always transparent, Miller provides a disarming approach to Christianity.
I think it would be very difficult to read this book and not have some kind of reaction to it. For the younger, postmods, I can see Miller really resonating with them. He embodies the very qualities they embrace (transparency and honesty about struggles.) For us gen-xers, (at least for me) it had a somewhat different effect. While I found myself drawn into his world and stories, I kept being annoyed by the author himself. His constant parading of his smoking and drinking, the Republican and fundamentalist bashing, and the denunciation of suburban megachurches left a bad taste.
Miller seems to be a political liberal who gravitates toward conservative, evangelical Christianity but can't leave the liberal lifestyle behind. While he gives lip service to the ideas of community and church, his concept of faith is ultimately individualistic and sometimes self-centered. The funny thing is that because this annoys me, it says that I really need to look beyond this to the message of the book, which I absolutely need. We need to see the world as Jesus does and love the world as Jesus does. Nothing less will win the world to Christ. Preach it Don the Writer!
One other tiny aspect that annoyed me was the writing style. It is pedantic and simplified. One example is that he rarely uses contractions, which makes it seem like you're reading Dr. Seuss at times. For a postmod author, his writing doesn't reflect authentic dialogue.
Overall, this is a good representation of the up and coming generation's view of Christian spirituality. If you're a bit older, look past the irritating sidelines and see the tremendous message we all need to see.
Rating: 3 Stars
