In yesterday's comments TheBunlessLibrarian pointed out, rightfully, that it's been a while since I panned a book. I'm not sure why that is, really, unless it's been because I'm reading more novels, and it's harder for me to dis novels. Maybe because I don't know them as well? For whatever reason, it's just not as fun to rip into novels as it is to rip into badly written or sell-out nonfiction.
So, in lieu of a cranky review, I'd like to offer a link to the animated cartoon Get Your War On*, which is not only hilarious, but also offers a couple of cheap shots at both Ayn Rand and Thomas Friedman. My hate for Thomas Friedman has only increased with the publication of his new book,Flat, Hot, and Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution--and How It Can Renew America. That guy is such a tool. Here's the thought process: Hot Topic + My Pointless Thoughts on Them = Instant Bestseller that I can issue in hardcover, then reissue in hardcover in a revised edition and charge even more, which is how I milked the public with The World Is Flat!
To sum up: enjoy the cartoon, don't read Thomas Friedman, have a great weekend.
*Please note: This video is not to be watched at work unless you have earphones, an office door, or both. You should also avoid it if profanity bothers you.
Friedman is sleeping with Michael Crichton.
You heard it here first.
Posted by: Matthew | 24 October 2008 at 06:26 PM
God, I hate Tom Friedman. I tried reading "The World is Flat" and didn't get very far (India and China's economies are growing, the world is flat! Gasp! I can talk to someone in Australia over the internet - the world is flat! *eye-roll*) Why is this a book, exactly? I bought this book when I was in Japan and that's where it stayed when I left.
I pity the people I see reading this and "Hot, Flat and Crowded" on the subway. Poor smucks.
Posted by: J.S. Peyton | 25 October 2008 at 12:22 AM
Matthew,
Uch, a Friedman/Crichton love tussle. Thanks ever so for that image...which prominently features Friedman's manly mustache.
J.S.,
Yay! Let's start an I Hate Thomas Friedman Club. Don't pity the people you see reading "Hot Flat and Crowded" just yet--Friedman's such a dick he'll reissue the same book in hardcover in a year, call it revised, and charge more. THOSE readers are the ones you should pity. (In case you can't tell, it made me REALLY angry that Friedman pulled just that stunt with "The World is Flat." Talk about exploitation.)
Posted by: Citizen Reader | 27 October 2008 at 07:53 AM
The global collapse of world economies and or global war with Russia over energy is occuring right before our eyes-when will you wake to what is the foundation of any civilized industrialized country- ENERGY- I HAVE SOLVED IT- pressure Princeton university to replicate my experiment to verify- over 17 months i still wait- Lets see how long it takes to uncover---my name is Solomon Sami Azar-born on the 13th January-1965. I have combined the century old ideas of Tesla and Einstein to produce safe nuclear fusion of heavy water in order to end the energy crisis- When the scientific community has found this and understands -the energy crisis will be over along with talks of greenhouse gases-I have been guided to this discovery by the heavens- by a force in this universe we are all connected to in spirit and pray to in the name of god- I have put together many signs and connections to form the big picture- I am a messenger of GOD---I have been sent by heaven to declare An Age of Unity has begun- world war 2 was Armageddon signified by two atomic bombs-An age of unity has begun---http://noblefuse.com/
Posted by: SOLOMON AZAR | 31 October 2008 at 07:49 AM
The bloom is off Mr. Friedman's rose (or whatever). We haven't had very many requests for his newest. Guess he went through too many Friedman Units, or FUs as they say in the blogosphere, and totally lost his credibility. Then, too, the wonders of outsourcing etc also started to really hit home. They should have outsourced him long ago.
Posted by: Sarah | 06 November 2008 at 07:27 PM
Sarah,
You made my day. Of course the man has already made more money than any one hack should, but I'm happy to hear his latest attempt at selling out is turning out to be as lucrative.
Posted by: Citizen Reader | 07 November 2008 at 09:03 AM
It's time to outsource Thomas Friedman!
Posted by: Gay Indian Hippie | 06 March 2009 at 08:41 PM
GIH:
I'm with you! I think it was time to outsource Friedman two books and tons of NYTimes columns ago!
Posted by: Citizen Reader | 07 March 2009 at 02:52 PM