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ostrava's review against another edition
4.0
Not exactly what I expected. Less than a major work, it's more of a "perspective" or "ranting of ideas" that are probably more developed elsewhere. Also, not necessarily about inequality in and on itself, but rather on the causes of the perspectives we ourselves have on the problem. Like the consequences of having a competitive system that rewards undesirable ideals for a society.
Something doesn't quite work though. Bauman seems like an interesting fellow and there's much to be learned from him. But what he offers in exchange for an hour to spare includes a remarkable introduction that can get you hooked enough to continue, followed by two or three poorly organized chapters... and an ending. The way I see it, it's flow is weak and while it's always great to read a perspective, I regret the fact that it couldn't be more intimate. No time to waste, yet he doesn't reach surprising conclusions either. These feel more like average articles you would find around, somewhere, nod to yourself and go on with your life as if it had done any impact. See, impact is precisely what's needed here...and a little bit of clarity wouldn't hurt either.
I guess I'll have to read his liquid series if his "articles" are this good though...
Something doesn't quite work though. Bauman seems like an interesting fellow and there's much to be learned from him. But what he offers in exchange for an hour to spare includes a remarkable introduction that can get you hooked enough to continue, followed by two or three poorly organized chapters... and an ending. The way I see it, it's flow is weak and while it's always great to read a perspective, I regret the fact that it couldn't be more intimate. No time to waste, yet he doesn't reach surprising conclusions either. These feel more like average articles you would find around, somewhere, nod to yourself and go on with your life as if it had done any impact. See, impact is precisely what's needed here...and a little bit of clarity wouldn't hurt either.
I guess I'll have to read his liquid series if his "articles" are this good though...
tessaays's review against another edition
5.0
Restrained, focused, so good. It lost me in a few places but overall excellent. Does a great job of pulling in disparate ideas, including philosophical / economic
nithou's review against another edition
4.0
Même si je ne suis pas forcément en accord avec tout ce qu'énonce Zygmunt Bauman, il vise extrêmement juste sur beaucoup de maux de notre société et de dérives de notre système ainsi que de l'état des relations humaines. Il démontre ici à quel point l'envolée des salaires des CEO et autres grosses fortunes n'a malheureusement pas mené à une augmentation des postes, mais au contraire à une énorme concentration de cette richesse dans un cycle court et fermé, tout en étant en déconnection totale avec la réalité (il expose ainsi pas mal de "golden handshake" permettant à des CEO de quitter des compagnies avec des sommes astronomiques, quelqu'ait été leur action durant leur poste). Une belle démonstration aussi de l'inégalité des chances dû à la naissance, au milieu social etc. Intéressant.
“When pay for senior executives is set behind closed doors, does not reflect company success and is fuelling massive inequality, it represents a deep malaise at the very top of our society.”
“When pay for senior executives is set behind closed doors, does not reflect company success and is fuelling massive inequality, it represents a deep malaise at the very top of our society.”
matthijs's review against another edition
4.0
Beknopte en toch veelomvattende analyse van het ongecontroleerde capitalisme en de foutieve maar hardnekkige beeldvorming die het systeem zo onwrikbaar maakt.
rnstnkt's review against another edition
Some stats in the first chapter.
Then a lot of ramblings.
Although Chapter 3 had 4 subsections each describing the pillars that frame today's understanding of economics and human activity in general, according to the author.
1. economic growth as the ultimate goal of sociopolitical organization
2. constant consumption in order to be happy
3. inequality between humans as natural
4. rivalry as a condition of social justice.
Then a lot of ramblings.
Although Chapter 3 had 4 subsections each describing the pillars that frame today's understanding of economics and human activity in general, according to the author.
1. economic growth as the ultimate goal of sociopolitical organization
2. constant consumption in order to be happy
3. inequality between humans as natural
4. rivalry as a condition of social justice.
danthompson1877's review against another edition
dark
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Bauman's metaphors make for a beautiful read, even when they reflect a tragic reality
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