diamondbreezy's review
5.0
Presents a case for immigration in a digestible but thoughtful format, considering potential counterarguments and compromises. As I understand it, the argument is that the current policies against immigration are real and negative against those who live in poorer countries, and that the potential economic benefits of immigration are so vast that concessions can be made to offset perceived losses or harms to natives. Add onto that the analysis that immigrants generally provide a positive value in the long run (except for low-skilled immigrants over 65), and the argument seems compelling.
That being said, I wasn’t against allowing more immigration before reading this book, but I feel like it would be an interesting conversation starter in a broader discussion.
Plus, I’ve been a fan of SMBC for a while, and I think this book is a great showcase of Zach Weinersmith’s ability to bring life to weighty abstract concepts. I hadn’t heard of Caplan before reading this book, but I’m impressed by his careful consideration of arguments and willingness to admit when the evidence points against him (which makes his case for the overall benefits even stronger) and will definitely seek out more of his works!
That being said, I wasn’t against allowing more immigration before reading this book, but I feel like it would be an interesting conversation starter in a broader discussion.
Plus, I’ve been a fan of SMBC for a while, and I think this book is a great showcase of Zach Weinersmith’s ability to bring life to weighty abstract concepts. I hadn’t heard of Caplan before reading this book, but I’m impressed by his careful consideration of arguments and willingness to admit when the evidence points against him (which makes his case for the overall benefits even stronger) and will definitely seek out more of his works!
joebernard57's review
challenging
hopeful
informative
reflective
fast-paced
2.0
This book relies so heavily on stereotypes that I often felt an urge to throw it across the room. The author’s attempts to blame “both sides” throughout, trying to occupy some morally superior middle ground that libertarians love to claim is theirs, are more laughable than convincing. And yet I’ve given the book two stars because it does land on the right answer, albeit in a cold and heartless way. The target market for this book are those insufferable people who dehumanize “others” to make themselves feel better. For anyone with a heart, I’d recommend Violent Borders by Reece Jones instead.
nick_latanick's review
5.0
Bryan Caplan is perhaps my favorite economist (what, dosen't everyone have one?). In person he's able to explain complex topics with humor and wit, without skimping on facts and logic. I was therefore quite disappointed by his previous books, as they were dry, academic tomes, devoid of the life and joy Caplan brought to many a podcast interview even about those very books. In Open Boarders, this error is more than corrected at last. Zach is able to bring Bryan's playfulness and passion to the page through engrossing, elucidating, and often moving imagery without losing the on-point logic that grounds Caplan's arguments.
I know open boarders is a contentious issue, but I hope that doesn't deter this team from perusing more graphic-textbooks together, this book is a gem.
I know open boarders is a contentious issue, but I hope that doesn't deter this team from perusing more graphic-textbooks together, this book is a gem.
dlsmall's review
4.0
Pretty intensive argument for more or less open borders. Definitely a lot of work….for a graphic novel. Intriguing use of the format.
varshiniramaraj's review
5.0
I picked this up because I love Zach Weinersmith's work, but it was such a good read. I liked the chapters that did talk about realistic possibilities, and arguments for people who are absolutely opposed to immigration, since well, it makes sense given the context of the book. Would recommend!
rossbm's review
4.0
Read this as a physical book. I really enjoyed this. The idea that removing restrictions on immigration can lead to vast gains in human welfare is very intriguing and compelling. I certainly believe that immigration is good for Canada, both for the people already here and the immigrants. Bryan Caplan does a good job of arguing for open borders, and adressing arguments against immigration and open borders. He admits that lower skilled immigrants can be more of financial burden and slower to assimilate, but makes that case that the overall benefit from increased immigration outweigh the negatives. This makes me want to read similar books on this topic, such as Maximum Canada: Why 35 Million Canadians Are Not Enough by Doug Saunders. The format of this book as a comic is interesting. I will reread it again, referring to the notes.
ricefun's review
4.0
This book is a difficult one to rate. The concepts are helpful and at the same time stretch my understanding of reality so much that I can not absorb them all at once. The creativity of using a well-drawn comic book to illustrate these political and financial possibilities is really refreshing. And I am able to better articulate my own desire to see a more welcoming society. This has sparked my interest to learn and engage more in questions of immigration, which I can continue to do by connecting with organizations like the International Rescue Committee which has a local presence.