Sean BalaReview of "Moral Ambition" (3 stars): This Could Have Been a TED Talk...
Erwin Rossen 🔸@seanbala Last Monday I attended a book launch where Rutger Bregman was also present. He said to the author: the real work starts now: you write a book mainly to get invited everywhere as an expert.
I think almost all the non-fiction books I've read could just as well have been conveyed in a TED talk or podcast.
Curtis McHale@erwinrossen @seanbala Making money from your writing is hard. Almost every spot that I've followed for years says to write a book as a way to market your other services. They don't pay.
I did like his look at the issues we have now with creating coalitions because if you don't virtue hard enough as the most radical person present, you're not allowed.
@curtismchale @seanbala I don't understand your last sentence. Can you explain?
@erwinrossen @seanbala He says we can't form coalitions now because you can't just be on board for climate change, you also have to have full buy in for trans rights, or whatever other cause the most radical person champions. Pg 77 of the hard cover version
@curtismchale @seanbala Ah, that's what you mean. Yes, I've heard him (and others) talk about that indeed. For instance, yesterday I was reading this blog about how you shouldn't expect everybody to be vegan to fight against factory farming cruelty: https://leahgarces.substack.com/p/the-vegan-brand-is-an-anchor-not
@erwinrossen @seanbala Yup that's the idea
@erwinrossen @seanbala If you check the bottom linked posts on my short review I'll reference the idea a few times: https://curtismchale.ca/book/moral-ambition-rutger-bregman/
I was critical in my review but I did like what I read. It did make me think more carefully about HOW we make change. And I admire his talks, lectures, and podcasts. I agree with you that, at this point in his career, he seems more interested in the book a vehicle for action. I plan on reading some of his earlier works and I wonder if they have the same quality.
Erwin Rossen 🔸 (@[email protected])
2.83K Posts, 390 Following, 283 Followers · Python software developer for Fashion retailers and suppliers at Fashion Cloud. Effective Altruist. 🔸 Pledged to donate at least 10% of lifetime income to effective charities 🥬 Fan of plant-based food