absentminded_reader's review
3.0
I made it about one third of the way through this book before realizing that although there were interesting comments woven throughout, most of the book was recounting old flame wars. I had hoped to gain insight into how to deal with social justice warriors, but instead learned about identitarianism and class warfare being the true source of conflict in our nation, not racism. I didn't disagree with Shetterly's opinions on the subject—they are very well researched and documented opinions—but I have enough flame wars of my own on Twitter with "suicide is not a choice" advocates and #GamerGate. For the sake of my blood pressure, I have made the conscious decision to stop reading.
I may pick this book up again one day, and I don't regret reading what I did. I am especially thankful that the concept of identitarianism was introduced to me. It helped me understand better some of the online conflicts I have bumped into within my own spheres. This will help me in my writing. Also of import was noticing how much of this book was Shetterly's need to provide context for his past comments to a sympathetic audience. I immediately recognized the same tendency in my own blogging. It has given me food for thought.
I may pick this book up again one day, and I don't regret reading what I did. I am especially thankful that the concept of identitarianism was introduced to me. It helped me understand better some of the online conflicts I have bumped into within my own spheres. This will help me in my writing. Also of import was noticing how much of this book was Shetterly's need to provide context for his past comments to a sympathetic audience. I immediately recognized the same tendency in my own blogging. It has given me food for thought.
erat's review
4.0
Interesting and fairly quick read. Overall I think the message is sound: class is an issue that is largely skimmed over in social discourse as it's not limited to race or gender (the two issues that guarantee "Google juice," to borrow the author's term), yet it has profound effects on how people move (or don't) through life.
The author was a bit hand-wavy with issues of race and gender so we're not 100% on the same page. Still, his assertion that class is the last, biggest elephant in the room...I may be on board with that.
I have other thoughts on this book, but for safety reasons they're only going to be shared offline with close friends and family. Yep.
The author was a bit hand-wavy with issues of race and gender so we're not 100% on the same page. Still, his assertion that class is the last, biggest elephant in the room...I may be on board with that.
I have other thoughts on this book, but for safety reasons they're only going to be shared offline with close friends and family. Yep.
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