PHOTO: Kim Kardashian. Inspiring or damaging?
While seeking the truth, on the internet yesterday — something many of us have been doing lately — I was shown (by Amazon) a book advertisement they knew would generate a click-through from me.
The book title was:
“What the Hell Are They Thinking? : 100 debates that govern your life, written in a way that tells both sides of the story.” Edited by Daniel Ravner and published in September 2021.
Amazon knows me (from my shopping history) as a ruthless seeker of truth, and as a person attracted to any book that has the word “Hell” in the title. The illustration on the cover appears to portray a man and a woman yelling at each other, or rather, past each other, without hearing anything the other is saying. Again, Amazon knows me well.
We might also notice that the colors are “Red, White and Blue”. Colors attractive to any dedicated truth-seeker.
I had never heard of this book (in spite of its four-and-a-half stars rating) so I had to click the ad. The online summary (posted by the Amazon staff? By the book publisher?) included a full list of the 100 debates that govern my life. (And yours as well, dear reader.)
I had no idea my life was governed by quite so many debates. But when you are seeking the truth, you must be willing to be surprised.
The 100 debates that govern my life were neatly categorized under 10 headings:
- Politics
- Living
- Entertainment
- Society
- Sports
- History
- Finance
- Education
- Health
- Technology
I naturally assumed that “humor columns” would get mentioned among the important ‘Entertainment’ debates, but I was disappointed. Although they did include the topic: “Do artists with seriously questionable morals deserve fame?” which probably came close enough.
Looking through the list of 100 debates, I was shocked at how many utterly insignificant debates were governing my life when this book was published in 2021.
For example, the very first Political debate in the book:
“Should we legalize marijuana?”
Guys, I think we already did that. Like, back in 2012. Take a drive through the east end of downtown Pagosa Springs, if you don’t believe me.
But many of the debates that govern my life are not only outdated — they are… what’s the right word… banal? frivolous? insipid?
These are real chapter headings, as shared on Amazon:
The Kardashians: inspiring or damaging to women?
(Titanic) Could Jack have been saved?
Which came first, the chicken or the egg?
Should the NHL ban fighting in hockey?
IOS or Android – which smartphone is better?
Is Roger Federer the best tennis player of all time?
The perspective on Donald Reagan
I will admit that “The perspective on Donald Reagan” is probably not outdated, as debates go, although I hate to think this particular debate is governing my life, since I’m not even sure who Donald Reagan is, or was.
A few of the 100 debates covered in the book, however, I totally understand are governing my life. Like:
Should we raise taxes on the rich?
Should we distribute condoms in high schools?
Can Facebook maintain dominance?
I can’t believe there are actually two sides to these particular debates. But even one side of the debate would certainly be enough to change the way I’m living.
According to Amazon, the book’s editor, Daniel Ravner, started a website called ‘The Perspective’ because he felt (and still does) that the world he will eventually leave to his three daughters is in a worse condition than the one he inherited from his parents. “What the Hell Are They Thinking” is his attempt at doing something about it.
If only we can resolve the Donald Reagan debate, maybe that will help improve the world’s condition. As Mr. Ravner hopes.
But that’s a big “If”.
Underrated writer Louis Cannon grew up in the vast American West, although his ex-wife, given the slightest opportunity, will deny that he ever grew up at all.