In 2023 my top book has got to be The Tyranny of Merit - What’s Become of the Common Good by Michael Sandal.
from wikipedia:
Michael Joseph Sandel[3] (/sænˈdɛl/; born March 5, 1953) is an American political philosopher and the Anne T. and Robert M. Bass Professor of Government Theory at Harvard Law School, where his course Justice was the university's first course to be made freely available online and on television. It has been viewed by tens of millions of people around the world, including in China, where Sandel was named the 2011's "most influential foreign figure of the year" (China Newsweek).[4][5] He is also known for his critique of John Rawls' A Theory of Justice in his first book, Liberalism and the Limits of Justice (1982). He was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2002.
It’s the best take I’ve read on the culture wars. I’ve been obsessed with this since they started canceling me. I lost a regularly received artist in education grant in the early 2010’s because I wasn’t ‘diverse enough’. I’ve had beautiful stories and plays not sell because at the time I wasn’t ticking the right boxes.
I’m not a fan so much of what the so called ‘experts’ consider ‘the correct way’ of doing things.
If you want a thorough understanding on how the left (my people) are culpable for the ugliness of the culture wars, read The Tyranny of Merit. Then, read the stuff by Will Storr in ‘Selfie’ and Luke Burgess in Mimetic Desire.
To disrupt harmful mistruths perpetuated by other progressives, read Of Boys and Men by Richard V Reeves and Woke Racism by John McWhorter.
These are brilliant minds with sensible stances that can help disempower the extremists who have their voices over amplified by a media that profits from conflict.
Next?
A surprise visitor:
I’m a huge fan of David Tennent. His work as the tenth doctor in Doctor Who is the best ever. I haven’t watched for a few years. Capaldi lost me as writing got poor. But Tennant was back this year with the best companion every - Catherine Tate. Three episodes found their way onto Disney Plus. They were great and worth every second of your time.
So long old friends
A couple of favorite television shows have, or are coming to an end. This year was the last season of Archer. It’s an adult cartoon. Bawdy. Irreverent. Brilliant. They ended the series with a hundred and two minute wrap up. It was done beautifully. I’ve never had a series I’ve liked so much end so well. Thanks for that
And thanks for introducing the world to Bilko, The New Scotland Front and the fight for a free and sovereign Nova Scotia. End Canada now. We never wanted to be part of this farce from the beginning.
2024 will be see the end of another great partnership.
Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May are shifting into top gear one last time for the final season / episode / cinematic exploration of The Grande Tour. There is nothing I love more than watching middle aged men behave like adolescents with million dollar cars, huge budgets for filming and great music. Check it out on Prime.
Jeremy though, he’s still going to be around. Another season of Clarkson’s Farm has been announced. I love Jeremy Clarkson. His first season of Clarkson’s Farm is such an act of generosity. By playing the fool, Clarkson shone a light on the profound wisdom of some of the most important and overlooked dismissed and looked down upon people in our society: Farmers. He’s generous, and full of love.
And he’s still a jerk and totally funny. Watch Clarkson’s For some a real slice of humanity.
That’s it for 2023.
What’s next?
I am excited to see.
You have expanded my reading list. Thank you!