So you thought you’d get away with parking your arse in front of the TV while drinking Baileys out of a pint mug over Christmas did you?
Well I have some news for you Sunshine. And that news involves reading and listening. Here’s a selection of stuff that needs your serious attention over the Christmas.
It includes a short list of books that’ll get your brain-cells rattling over the Christmas break. Most are available in some form of electronic format as well as standard regurgitated dead tree format. They range in price from nothing to about a tenner.
All of these these books had a dramatic affect on my perception of what was really going on in the world. So be warned you may (like me) experience Cognitive Dissonance. (Don’t know what Cognitive Dissonance is? There’s a book on that below too!)
For the ultra lazy (yes I know – that’s most of you) there’s also a couple of really fantastic YouTube Ted Talk videos too. And to cap it all 25 minutes of the live version of Rattlesnake Shake by Peter Greens Fleetwood Mac rounded off by another great Youtube video with Lynyrd Skynryd and Free Bird from 1977.
Make sure you crank the volume up for Rattlesnake Shake and Free Bird. It is illegal to listen to them quietly.
Merry Xmas.
Love and Kisses.
Billothewisp.
Factfulness
YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK. No ifs. No buts. No excuses. If you want to know exactly why the liars and cheats who keep telling us that we are all about to die are wrong - this is it.
A book that will not only enlighten you to what is really going on in the world but will provide you with suitable ammunition to shoot down the doom-sters when they witter on about how Armagedon is just round the corner.
Sustainable Energy without the Hot Air
The loss of Dr David MacKay was a body blow to the world. But his legacy of "Sustainable Energy without the Hot Air" lives on. Depending on what format you want the price ranges from absolutely nothing to about a fifteen quid. Even if you cant read it right now why not download a free copy for future reference? The free pdf version is HERE
Freakanomics
Oh My God! This book just blew me away. Its nearly fifteen years old now but it is guaranteed to challenge your pre-conceptions on a range of issues. You know - when did you ever consider the following:
"Why do Drug Dealers still live with their Mums?"
Or
"Where have all the Criminals gone?".
Super Freakanomics.
As for Freakanomics - just more-so.
Like:
“How is a Prostitute like a Dept Store Santa?
And:
"Why should suicide bombers buy life insurance?"
Separate Ways
I didn’t read this until twelve years ago. It changed the way I looked at the EU. Admittedly I was getting a little twitchy about the railroading of the Treaty of Lisbon through Parliament even then, but I was to all intents and purposes a EU-Phile, a Remainer (Ugh! - there I’ve said it).
This book, written by the late Peter Shore changed my opinion. It's now only available second hand and is currently eye-wateringly expensive. But cheap copies do come up for a couple of quid now and again..
How to have Impossible Conversations
I’m only half way through this but it is changing the way I address discussions with people with differing views. It come recommended by a star list of ultra bright and argumentative bastards like Richard Dawkins, Michael Shermer and Marc Andreessen
It is really enlightening. If you want to win people over rather than just win the argument this is the book to read. It a book about how to make converts not just beat your enemies.
When Prophesy Fails.
So what does Cognitive Dissonance mean and why is it important. Here is Lean Festingers masterpiece from the 1950’s where he followed a Flying Saucer cult to find out what would happen when their prophesy of Global Catastrophe failed to materialise.
Read this and you will understand why the UK Labour party is lurching further left after taking the recent election beating. You'll see why Al Gores failed prophesy that the North Pole would be ice free by 2012 simply made cults like Extinction Rebellion double down on their doomstering.
Recorded nearly 50 years ago this is the live version of "RattleSnake Shake" by Fleetwood Mac.
BE WARNED:
This is NOT the Fleetwood Mac of West Coast music post 1974. This is the Fleetwood Mac of Peter Green (known to Guitar affectionados as the "the Green God").
It's raw.
Bloody even.
If this does not make your hair stand on end then you are already dead.
Sadly it's music only - no video but it'll still wring you out like an old dishcloth.
Utterly and completely magnificent.
Merry Christmas.
Well I have some news for you Sunshine. And that news involves reading and listening. Here’s a selection of stuff that needs your serious attention over the Christmas.
It includes a short list of books that’ll get your brain-cells rattling over the Christmas break. Most are available in some form of electronic format as well as standard regurgitated dead tree format. They range in price from nothing to about a tenner.
All of these these books had a dramatic affect on my perception of what was really going on in the world. So be warned you may (like me) experience Cognitive Dissonance. (Don’t know what Cognitive Dissonance is? There’s a book on that below too!)
For the ultra lazy (yes I know – that’s most of you) there’s also a couple of really fantastic YouTube Ted Talk videos too. And to cap it all 25 minutes of the live version of Rattlesnake Shake by Peter Greens Fleetwood Mac rounded off by another great Youtube video with Lynyrd Skynryd and Free Bird from 1977.
Make sure you crank the volume up for Rattlesnake Shake and Free Bird. It is illegal to listen to them quietly.
Merry Xmas.
Love and Kisses.
Billothewisp.
Books that Need Reading
Factfulness
YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK. No ifs. No buts. No excuses. If you want to know exactly why the liars and cheats who keep telling us that we are all about to die are wrong - this is it.
A book that will not only enlighten you to what is really going on in the world but will provide you with suitable ammunition to shoot down the doom-sters when they witter on about how Armagedon is just round the corner.
Sustainable Energy without the Hot Air
The loss of Dr David MacKay was a body blow to the world. But his legacy of "Sustainable Energy without the Hot Air" lives on. Depending on what format you want the price ranges from absolutely nothing to about a fifteen quid. Even if you cant read it right now why not download a free copy for future reference? The free pdf version is HERE
Freakanomics
Oh My God! This book just blew me away. Its nearly fifteen years old now but it is guaranteed to challenge your pre-conceptions on a range of issues. You know - when did you ever consider the following:
"Why do Drug Dealers still live with their Mums?"
Or
"Where have all the Criminals gone?".
Super Freakanomics.
As for Freakanomics - just more-so.
Like:
“How is a Prostitute like a Dept Store Santa?
And:
"Why should suicide bombers buy life insurance?"
Separate Ways
I didn’t read this until twelve years ago. It changed the way I looked at the EU. Admittedly I was getting a little twitchy about the railroading of the Treaty of Lisbon through Parliament even then, but I was to all intents and purposes a EU-Phile, a Remainer (Ugh! - there I’ve said it).
This book, written by the late Peter Shore changed my opinion. It's now only available second hand and is currently eye-wateringly expensive. But cheap copies do come up for a couple of quid now and again..
How to have Impossible Conversations
I’m only half way through this but it is changing the way I address discussions with people with differing views. It come recommended by a star list of ultra bright and argumentative bastards like Richard Dawkins, Michael Shermer and Marc Andreessen
It is really enlightening. If you want to win people over rather than just win the argument this is the book to read. It a book about how to make converts not just beat your enemies.
When Prophesy Fails.
So what does Cognitive Dissonance mean and why is it important. Here is Lean Festingers masterpiece from the 1950’s where he followed a Flying Saucer cult to find out what would happen when their prophesy of Global Catastrophe failed to materialise.
Read this and you will understand why the UK Labour party is lurching further left after taking the recent election beating. You'll see why Al Gores failed prophesy that the North Pole would be ice free by 2012 simply made cults like Extinction Rebellion double down on their doomstering.
YouTube Videos that must be seen
Don't Panic!
This is so good! It is an entertaining ride through the basics of the book "Factfulness". It is funny informative and downright ideal for watching on Christmas afternoon after having a few noggins. Just Watch it!The Mysterious Workings of the Adolescent Brain.
Reaching your wits end? Teenager children driving your mad? Here's why.Music to Die For
RattleSnake Shake.
Recorded nearly 50 years ago this is the live version of "RattleSnake Shake" by Fleetwood Mac.
BE WARNED:
This is NOT the Fleetwood Mac of West Coast music post 1974. This is the Fleetwood Mac of Peter Green (known to Guitar affectionados as the "the Green God").
It's raw.
Bloody even.
If this does not make your hair stand on end then you are already dead.
Sadly it's music only - no video but it'll still wring you out like an old dishcloth.
Free Bird
Lynyrd Skynryd live in 1977. Savor the atmosphere and the sheer power of this rendition. Then marvel at the rows of pretty girls (who are all now in their late 50s early 60's).Utterly and completely magnificent.
Merry Christmas.
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