BlackOxford's Reviews > Version Control

B, is there a socio-demographic to the characters? The quote and your critique sounds like a well-to-do professional, educated, demographic. Does 'boring' come from stability and lack of struggle?

Nick wrote: "B, is there a socio-demographic to the characters? The quote and your critique sounds like a well-to-do professional, educated, demographic. Does 'boring' come from stability and lack of struggle?"

Yes, I think that’s right. Even their struggles over real tragedy seem trivial. Mostly their lives are “I just can’t go on.” But they never seriously consider ending it all. I suppose it all involves a certain kind of respectability which is entirely alien to me and which I find merely self-indulgent.

Kelly wrote: "Yes. My kind does speak like that. 30-somethings from the NYC metro area. or basically, like, any 30-something i've ever met from the states. lol"

I suspected that. An alien world. As I said, I’m glad I’m past it.

I concur, Blackie. I think ennui is the seldom said driver for all humanity at any point in a life. It is the one constant we all aspire to avoid.

david wrote: "I concur, Blackie. I think ennui is the seldom said driver for all humanity at any point in a life. It is the one constant we all aspire to avoid."

You could well be right. That too helps to explain Trump.

I agree. I couldn't manage more than a single star -- dreadful.

Michael wrote: "I agree. I couldn't manage more than a single star -- dreadful."

Once again a confirmation of the app ain’t lack of taste in the world.

Thanks for saving me from this

Kasa wrote: "Thanks for saving me from this"

I’m still recovering.

I liked how Palmer highlighted the road not taken by using the physics of many-worlds theory. He has something to say about the extent to which attitude informs reality. We all promote versions of ourselves, more so than ever these days through our sculpted social media personas. Beyond this I found his dialogue intentionally alarmingly vapid. I’ve read enough perceptive reviews of yours to not assume that you missed something but I found layers metaphors I really liked.

Lemar wrote: "I liked how Palmer highlighted the road not taken by using the physics of many-worlds theory. He has something to say about the extent to which attitude informs reality. We all promote versions of ..."

Brilliant. I was blinded by the vacuous idea of the many-worlds metaphor and the vapid conversations. You’re right, I stopped myself from considering all sorts of possibilities. I am humbled.

BO wrote: "Not in my generation. It’s all so cute, so twee, so self-centred.
By Zeus, you make this book sound like a ... you know ... like ... so yuk!

Terence M (Restored Disposition :)) wrote: "BO wrote: "Not in my generation. It’s all so cute, so twee, so self-centred.
By Zeus, you make this book sound like a ... you know ... like ... so yuk!"

Yeah.. like that was what I like... thought. I give it a two ‘cause ya can’t dance to it.

BlackOxford wrote: "Yeah.. like that was what I like... thought. I give it a two ���cause ya can’t dance to it..."

Ah, the delight of growing old and, like.., you know..., not giving a shit!

Terence M (Restored Disposition :)) wrote: "BlackOxford wrote: "Yeah.. like that was what I like... thought. I give it a two ‘cause ya can’t dance to it..."

Ah, the delight of growing old and, like.., you know..., not giving a shit!"

🤫

One more to go from my tbr-list :-) thank you for the review

Kirsten wrote: "One more to go from my tbr-list :-) thank you for the review"

My aim is to make life easier for millions.💁‍♂️

I know. I am glad to be past it also, Blackie. Although, by all indications, old people are not any better.

david wrote: "I know. I am glad to be past it also, Blackie. Although, by all indications, old people are not any better."

You’re right: old people aren’t any better, just less dangerous personally. As long as we keep them away from the button for ballistic missiles, we may have a chance.

Ha. Not a chance. Is it not utterly amazing that in this country of 300-400 million people, there was not one person under 70 years that could win the nomination? So we have a 75,76-year-old leaving and a 78,79-year-old coming in. I do not understand anything anymore, Blackie.

No, there is one thing I do understand. All laws of physics have been toppled (although I have never studied physics). Every sector of our markets here (stocks, bonds, real estate, currency, food prices, etc.) only goes up, without yesteryears so-called inflation. Adam Smith and Milton Friedman must be spinning down under.

david wrote: "No, there is one thing I do understand. All laws of physics have been toppled (although I have never studied physics). Every sector of our markets here (stocks, bonds, real estate, currency, food p..."

I can only think we’re in the middle of an economic phoney war. Think September 1939, only without the armies in reserve. How long can this isolating madness go on? Being retired and out of every market except cash, I could actually care less. But as a phenomenon isn’t our current state bizarre? World of the living dead.

Exactly. Everything is bizarre, Reb Blackie. I do not do politics, I am 'pareve' on any level but the nincompoops that do it are as ludicrous as everything else going on. And not just here. Here, the rich and old people who work on the hill have been debating for a year or more on a relief bill while the cities they represent are falling apart. By you, this Brexit is another Rube Goldberg thing. How many years more will it take them to decide one way or another? Ach, I could go on and on with all the irrationals and absurdities witnessed but I have long ago succumbed and recognized this folly. It's all a 'shanda.' We are being 'mutch-ed.'

And that last word, for transliteration consideration, is pronounced, MOO-cheh.

Here's another fachachta example. My internet goes out a few days ago. I am currently piggy-backing another's wi-fi. I try to call the cable company, but of course that is not going to work. I must do it (and every other cockamamie thing) on the internet, the thing I no longer have. So, I do a chat online. No talking, only typing. I explain the situation and the person I am speaking with initially is from the southern Philippines. But, of course, our online chat is cutoff. Next representative, from the Dominican Republic says a repair guy will visit me tomorrow between 8-10 am, because they can see that my modem is not working in Santo Domingo. I call this morning to confirm and a jolly person from Barbados apologizes to me. She also can see that my modem is not working but from her island she can apologize that the repairman will not be here until 1-3 today. Why is that? I ask. She switches me to her supervisor, who I quickly learn is from Port of Spain in Trinidad. The supervisor also apologizes and says to be patient, mon, he will be there between 1-3 pm. Ach. I know. We are all experiencing the same but...

david wrote: "Here's another fachachta example. My internet goes out a few days ago. I am currently piggy-backing another's wi-fi. I try to call the cable company, but of course that is not going to work. I must..."

I can tell from here that your pineal gland is out of whack. The doctor will be with you between 10 and 2 according to the Dr. Phil website. But don’t expect much... she’s here from Ukraine on a K-1 visa and doesn’t have a work permit. And may not even have a medical degree (who reads Russian anyway? Yiddish sure, but Russian?). Anyway take two and call me in the morning.

You (or more appropriately, the book) lost me at "Millennial musings." Navel-gazing narrative?

I have to admit, your review actually makes me want to look at this book--not necessarily *read* it, but at least check it out. You see, I live with a passle of Gen Z people and would be really interested to see how this (apparently accurate) depiction of (some) Millenials is different to the young people I know.

My sample size is small, of course, so hardly representative of am entire generation, but what I've seen seems to be a backlash against Millennial ennui. My Gen Zers somehow combine nihilism, absurd humor worthy of the Dadaists, and an almost nonchalant, yet deeply felt commitment to activism.

For example, when I cautioned them about the risks of protesting in general and specifically during a pandemic, their response, across the board was, "Well, we have to do something to fix the world. And if we get killed, well, hey, bonus! No one expects the Gen Z Inquisition!" And this makes sense to them and, I'm afraid, it's beginning to make sense to me too. I can't really inhabit their mindset, ancient Gen Xer that I am, but I'm learning to "get" it.

All that's a long way to say, you've got me intrigued to hold the Millennials up beside the Zs for comparison.

As always, thanks for a thoughtful and thought-provoking review.

Greg wrote: "You (or more appropriately, the book) lost me at "Millennial musings." Navel-gazing narrative?"

That corresponds with my experience. I must be mind-melding.

Zade wrote: "I have to admit, your review actually makes me want to look at this book--not necessarily *read* it, but at least check it out. You see, I live with a passle of Gen Z people and would be really int..."

As a Boomer I may be so far outside the oeuvre as to find this new genre completely impenetrable. Your description of your own findings are enlightening, even intriguing. But I do feel more than a bit like the proverbial old dog.

This book was fatuous.

The quote you used in your review is actually how I and some of my friends talk. So yes, people do talk like that.