This is one of the best books I've read in a while on the sad state of employee / employer relations in the modern United States. Many of the things IThis is one of the best books I've read in a while on the sad state of employee / employer relations in the modern United States. Many of the things I've said over the years regarding the cavalier attitude of companies like Uber, Air BNB, and oDesk towards laws and regulations were addressed. Also addressed, in significant depth, is the "1099-ing" of regular employees and making them "contractors" ~ as a truck driver, I saw this extensively with a number of companies, but heavily with Fed-Ex (which has fortunately lost a couple of lawsuits regarding employee mis-classification).
Hill addresses the crumbling middle class due to corporate greed and exacerbated by the undue influence of the wealthy few on public policy and the rule-making process. The safety nets that were historically provided by a mutually beneficial employee/employer relationship has all but vanished ~ while employers claim that "workers would rather have 'freedom' than stability / security", Hill's research unmasks that as the bald-faced lie many workers know it to be.
The implications for this rampant 1099-ing, weakening of laws / regulations (or outright disregard thereof), and devaluation of workers has implications across a wide swath of society.
We can do better than what we are left with; and we should. Hill uses examples from around the developed nations as to how worker-positive policies can be implemented and done so well without the horribly negative impacts that the 'pro-business' lobbying machine have sworn will be the ruination of our economy.
Hill finally shows us some potential solutions, research on how they have been successfully implemented, and the positive outcomes they have lead to as a guide of hope that it's not too late for us to fix this mess we currently find ourselves in....more
In a lot of ways - I thought it was a mix of project management combined with cost / benefit analysis that took place within the context of understandIn a lot of ways - I thought it was a mix of project management combined with cost / benefit analysis that took place within the context of understanding one's own biases regarding how they make financial decisions.
Nothing truly groundbreaking, information-wise. But creatively presented in an easily understood manner. ...more
I was mostly with Levison throughout the book, especially since most things were common sense (write Cursory. Few section went into much depth at all.
I was mostly with Levison throughout the book, especially since most things were common sense (write down your goals, allocate money to savings - pay yourself first - spend less than you take in) but then she started quoting Atlas Shrugged and blaming those that don't have jobs (while citing the high unemployment rate) that they're just not trying hard enough. In my eyes, that thoroughly discredited her to the point that I couldn't take the remainder seriously....more
Frank has definitely improved his writing style since "One Market Under God". He still relies on end notes (which is still annoying) - but they're notFrank has definitely improved his writing style since "One Market Under God". He still relies on end notes (which is still annoying) - but they're not as bad as One Market. Again, I agree with most of what Frank says and his analysis. However, as I continued through the book, I sensed an increase in the rhetoric and openly sneering at the other side ~ something non-conducive to opening a dialogue, but rather, further polarizing the two sides. As I said in my review of One Market: he's preaching to the choir.
There's a lot to think about and, in the future, it will serve as an amazing look at how the Right capitalized on traditionally Left tactics and organized around the 'promise' of the free market, despite that same free market destroying the wealth of many of its new-found supporters.
An enjoyable read and one I would recommend, even if it clouds my delusions of hope for the future and a return to sane, moderate rationality....more
an intriguing book on the options for investing at home, in local "main street" businesses and not feeding the trolls of wall street - the large, multan intriguing book on the options for investing at home, in local "main street" businesses and not feeding the trolls of wall street - the large, multi-nationals that kill local business, jobs & investment. there seems to be a great deal of American money tied into stocks and bonds of these multi-nationals while promising that they're creating jobs, when in actuality, they're not providing living wages and are actively killing jobs and removing opportunities in our communities.
investing locally comes with a multiplication factor. if I buy local, they use local lawyers and accountants to deal with their business operations - not large home office legal & accounting departments - ergo, that money stays in the community and is reinvested. likewise, if their supply chain is local / regional - that money is also spent local, pays local wages and reinvests itself.
he man challenge addressed here is that most Americans - 98% - are not "accredited" and are barred from investing locally. this book presents a lot of work arounds to that and proposes innovative LEGAL options to keep your money in your community and yield a "living return" on your investments while exposing the fact that wall street is not yielding the returns oft hyped.
in sum: things are changing. localvores are demanding more than just local food options. they (and socially conscious / responsible investors) want to see good done with their money. and good done locally, while generating jobs. this text adds to the common stock of knowledge and moves investment closer to that reality....more
if you care at all about the future of our nation, planet, our common stock of knowledge and the scientific endeavors (or you don't) - i would classifif you care at all about the future of our nation, planet, our common stock of knowledge and the scientific endeavors (or you don't) - i would classify this book as a "must read" in the pursuit of Disciplina in civitatem & a better informed citizenry.
wow. i don't even know where to begin. first up, i rarely ever dole out 5-star ratings. so that's saying something right there.
i'm a social scientist. i'm also a public administration professional. this book looks at a handful of huge issues that deserve to be evaluated on the basis of the best available science (not "faith based" as certain fringes claim they should be) and shows that it can be done - IF law makers and policy makers make an attempt to educate themselves on how to evaluate science from rhetoric that dresses itself up in the guise of science.
this is an issue that will require a change on, virtually, every level of life in our nation - from how we educate the next generation(s) to how we address moral issues of science to training scientists to do a better job of communicating what they're doing and finding in a meaningful way. a need to engage in a national dialogue on the facts of the matter - not approaching it like a political issue or court room where cherry-picked tidbits shape biased rhetorical arguments.
the book is dense with background information and ideas for "where do we go from here" and "how do we begin to address these issues" - i cannot even begin to hope to do it the appropriate justice here. ...more
another excellent urban agriculture book! this is not at all the 1st urban / organic ag book I've read this year, but it certainly was enjoyable. Tracanother excellent urban agriculture book! this is not at all the 1st urban / organic ag book I've read this year, but it certainly was enjoyable. Tracey presents a number of options for people with and without land. utilizing public spaces, co-ops, window units, aquaponic setups, asking neighbors to use part of their land in exchange for part of the harvest.... the potentials are limited only by the creativity of the farmer. the author limits his discussion on how to grow and instead focuses on the logistics, business, economics, environmental impact & innovation implications necessary to e successful. dammit! just try something. keep good notes. talk to others. get others involved. commit and play a role in moving us towards food security, away from big business bottom lines & back to the way we did things, working with our planet - not fighting her every step of the way in the name of "progress"...more
excellent exposé on the mistreatment of interns, the lack of substantive training in "internship" programs, blatant violations of federal laws and regexcellent exposé on the mistreatment of interns, the lack of substantive training in "internship" programs, blatant violations of federal laws and regulations in requiring unpaid internships and the failings of academia (often requiring internships) to improve conditions for their charges while collecting massive fees for class credit (requiring the student / intern to PAY for the privilege of working for free).
this is an issue that i've cared about for some time now. i feel my internship provided me with some substantive experience, but structured training and development were completely lacking. i was paid for it and didn't receive class credit (for my graduate internship - the undergraduate one was a different situation, but provided extensive training).
federal regulation is weak, corporations are committed to extracting all the value they can, politicians use interns extensively in their campaigns / offices, not-for-profits rely on free "volunteer" labor, and academia is complicit --- who will stand up for the interns, often contributing meaningfully (or at the very least, keeping their host from hiring an entry level individual)? hopefully, this book will catch on & leaders will realize that it is their duty to change this flawed system and return to the educational promises the programs should be founded on & model the apprenticeship programs of yore. ...more
Rajeev breaks down leadership into 2 key points - one must have skill and will. both can be innate or learned.
a leader must identify their goals and vRajeev breaks down leadership into 2 key points - one must have skill and will. both can be innate or learned.
a leader must identify their goals and values ~ these will provide the drive to continue despite adversity and will provide the energy necessary that must be spread. employees' motivation depends on R-E-D: their role in the organization & where they fit in it, their environment (the actual working conditions and so-called hygiene factors) and their potential for development. the successful leader much match employees and work based on this.
as the leader progresses, leadership becomes a task of implementing and sustaining corporate culture. Rajeev states that businesses require brains (the mission and vision of an organization), bones (the structural components of an organization - streamlined, efficient, interconnected working towards the mission) and nerves (the values and culture that help the organization achieve its aims).
energy and vision must be contagious. leaders must listen, empathize, match expectations with work, hone their own skills (technical earlier on and leadership later on), take an active role in developing human resources and plan effectively for the future to carry on the vision and mission once leaders step down.
not a bad read. there's some good points in here & it may be worth a re-read at some point....more
winne presents a very compelling argument against large-scale industrial farms from a number of angles --- hygiene, connection/intimacy w/ our food sowinne presents a very compelling argument against large-scale industrial farms from a number of angles --- hygiene, connection/intimacy w/ our food sources, self-sufficiency (to a degree, if not individually, then at least regionally/nationally), empowerment of low-income neighborhoods (through urban gardening, eating fresh foods when previously unavailable, etc.), and an array of 'green' issues including reducing the carbon footprint of food transportation, reduction in chemicals, GMOs, and a return to all-natural, organic production.
contrary to the opinion that this blasts farmers, he recognizes that farmers are stuck in the middle of corporate greed and their need to make a living. one particular example involves sugarbeets - about a decade ago, only 40% of seeds available to farmers were GMOs (genetically modified), but now, the corporate seed producers have been whittling away at the non-GMO options and virtually all (95%) of sugarbeet seeds available to farmers are GMO. these farmers are then unable to state that their foods are non-GMO, natural, organic etc. and are prohibited from growing these crops near other non-GMO crops (Boulder, CO is one example of this presented). winne takes great pains to point out that these farmers are not the "bad guys" but rather were used as pawns to attack "big city activists" who did not want GMO crops near their own locally farmed organic crops.
the shear unsustainability of large-scale, resource intensive, single crop farms (no crop rotation, factory-style animal raising) often non-hygienic slaughter tactics (which are often also unsafe for the low-paid employees of corporate ag) should be enough for individuals to stand up and take notice and educate themselves.
in particular, i encourage people to look at the studies in Iowa by Richard Pirog (associate director of ISU's Leopold Center - a research institute to provide support / methods for sustainable agriculture). According to pirog (winne, 2010, p173):
"If Iowans started eating the five servings a day of fruits and vegetables (the national average is currently closer to two), and all those servings came from Iowa producers, 4,100 new jobs would be created by this "eat and grow local" approach. But what Big Ag doesn't like to hear is that this healthy diet could be grown at 1/30 the cost of developing twenty-six ethanol plants and would require the conversion of only 34,000 acres of Iowa's existing cropland."
interesting stuff to think about. Food, Inc. is also a good movie worthwhile to watch....more
good book for reanalyzing the way you look at conventional wisdom, some of the ideas and explanations presented are uncommon, unpopular, and downrightgood book for reanalyzing the way you look at conventional wisdom, some of the ideas and explanations presented are uncommon, unpopular, and downright controversial - agree with them or not, it's a good impetus to get you thinking and re-evaluating some long held beliefs. for example - despite what the 'experts' predicted that crime would continue to rise throughout the 1990s, violent crime rates actually dropped why? 'experts' tell you it's because of the good economy, but the authors show that that's likely not the case and posit that the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision had more to do with the downturn in violent crime than anything the 'experts' were arguing....more
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