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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
Another Now by Yanis Varoufakis--While the idea of economic treatise/philosophy dissertation as fiction, science fiction at that, is interesting, I'm not sure it works well here. Varoufakis details a fictional other world where, due to the 2008 financial crisis, the world instead progresses into a modified collectivistic social capitalism. Much of the book, then, is just explaining how the system works and why it works well. I can respect the author' credentials immensely, but I think much of how he thinks about the current state of banking is so flawed as to be irredeemable, even if there's significant elements of his proposal that sound appealing. He also uses a modified version of the land value tax,l which somehow is even more riddled with problems than what I've seen of the original. Sideways thumb.
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Lots of food for thought. Yanis has created a very readable novel about how our world, in which capitalism prevails, works and how an alternative, postcapitalist world could function. I really liked that this was told through 3 characters with 3 different perspectives, including one that was a worshipper of free markets and shares. (But of course the underlying ‘thread’ was Yanis’ ideas which are obviously anti-capitalist. I knew what I was getting myself into). It was like reading a debate in a form of a novel while being informative and entertaining at the same time. This isn’t easy to accomplish. (I generally prefer the form of this over a dryer non-fiction book).
I read that one of the criticisms of the book is that it’s hard to follow because “our now” and the “other now” are intertwined. I didn’t find it hard to follow. I think it was very cleverly executed and I appreciated the plain language (as someone whose first language is not English). + I still have to do a lot of catch up on basic economic jargon words. Nevertheless things were explained as simply as it was possible with interesting analogies.
I read that one of the criticisms of the book is that it’s hard to follow because “our now” and the “other now” are intertwined. I didn’t find it hard to follow. I think it was very cleverly executed and I appreciated the plain language (as someone whose first language is not English). + I still have to do a lot of catch up on basic economic jargon words. Nevertheless things were explained as simply as it was possible with interesting analogies.
adventurous
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
funny
inspiring
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Cool ideas.
The novel format works up until the end where Varoufakis really flops trying to wrap it up, but I had a good read.
The novel format works up until the end where Varoufakis really flops trying to wrap it up, but I had a good read.
This book is incredible. It is both radical and logical, and wholly thought provoking. Everybody should read this book.
My first Book from Varoufakis!
The Fiction was an add-on Layer on top of a Bunch of great Ideas.
Challenging two Assumptions :
1) Capitalism as a Mode of Production (and its Ethics) is the Way to go.
2) Financial Speculation should exist.
Yanis says no to both of them and provides plausible Alternatives that are much more Just. This might just be a good alternative to Capitalism.
All in all, a great read. I gotta sketch the whole System out. The Crowd-Shorting Idea was also great. Definitely going in my re-listen List. I will get a couple of more of his Books.
Personal Note : I have a certain Predisposition to be a Radical. I was meant to like this Book. I should actually read into the History of Economic Thought. Whether or not interesting, it definitely is needed.
The Fiction was an add-on Layer on top of a Bunch of great Ideas.
Challenging two Assumptions :
1) Capitalism as a Mode of Production (and its Ethics) is the Way to go.
2) Financial Speculation should exist.
Yanis says no to both of them and provides plausible Alternatives that are much more Just. This might just be a good alternative to Capitalism.
All in all, a great read. I gotta sketch the whole System out. The Crowd-Shorting Idea was also great. Definitely going in my re-listen List. I will get a couple of more of his Books.
Personal Note : I have a certain Predisposition to be a Radical. I was meant to like this Book. I should actually read into the History of Economic Thought. Whether or not interesting, it definitely is needed.