https://decoherency.blogspot.com/2020/12/review-utopia-for-realists.html
"This is everything I wanted it to be. Unlike RCU, UFR focuses on the
goal, not the people seeking it. It's well-researched, comprehensive yet
succinct, immensely readable, highly persuasive, and - perhaps most
importantly - focuses on achievable, consistent visions of the future
instead of a bunch of random nutters. And unlike the slightly deranged
Stephen Pinker, Bregman understands that statistics shouldn't be
cherry-picked to reveal whatever you want them to say, and, more
importantly, that although progress has indeed been made, there's far
more to life than the absolute standards of living conditions.
I don't have any major criticisms of this book. The worst I can say is
that at times it feels a little bit like a confused, breathless mess,
somewhat underdeveloped and contradictory - but only slightly. For the
most part it stays on point, and seems (at least to me) carefully
designed to appeal across the political spectrum. Bregman doesn't want
to end capitalism or send us all back to living in the trees, but
neither does he deny the real problems facing us. He explicitly views
Utopian ideology as useful in shaping our behaviour, unlike Pinker who
actually inhabits a Utopian fantasy-fallacy land. Overall, I give it a
thoroughly excellent 8/10. Maybe 8.5."
Via Isaac Kuo.
Share and enjoy,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
