This book is great. Except that I think it is great for executives and other non-designers to understand design and the value it can offer. This title, however, is not going to get those people to buy this.
I initially bought the book for the bibliography (its fabulous) then I heard Buxton speak a and decided to read the book for the front and it was great (and Buxton was even more fabulous).
I loved Caplan's book by design so could not resist this one. This is a collection of previously published essays, in I.D., Print, and other sources. They are gathered gently around topic, cover many years, and are mostly quite short.
He is as always insightful, well written,curious, and personal in his touch.
What really fascinates me is that I could not write these essays, as he does. Part of it is the topics he choses - he is not digital, as a different flavor of context, and weaves in and out of the world in a way that I do not think of. Why does this fascinate me? Most writers style, tone, voice, particularly essays on design, I find easy to step in to. As I read I absorb their flow, I can produce sentences, structures, thoughts, in their manner. I have the same ability with foreign languages. It is as though I absorb them through my skin and can become them. Caplan's essays are not in this realm. It is as though they have non-permeable edges. It is rare to read something that I cannot climb inside of and become part of, should I so desire. I don't feel anything negative for this, I feel no envy for his beautiful style and vision, but I feel grave curiousity for who this man is that controls his world in this way, his vision, his design principles and his words.
The book is beautifully designed, as was by design, and the framing of his photo, the straightforward image, the expression, the eyes, it engages me further into this world that is, so oddly, simply not mine, except to borrow.
A link to my comments on by design http://karenh.vox.com/library/post/by-design-why-there-are-no-locks-on-the-bathroom-doors-in-the-hotel-louis-xiv-and-other-object-less.html
He is as always insightful, well written,curious, and personal in his touch.
What really fascinates me is that I could not write these essays, as he does. Part of it is the topics he choses - he is not digital, as a different flavor of context, and weaves in and out of the world in a way that I do not think of. Why does this fascinate me? Most writers style, tone, voice, particularly essays on design, I find easy to step in to. As I read I absorb their flow, I can produce sentences, structures, thoughts, in their manner. I have the same ability with foreign languages. It is as though I absorb them through my skin and can become them. Caplan's essays are not in this realm. It is as though they have non-permeable edges. It is rare to read something that I cannot climb inside of and become part of, should I so desire. I don't feel anything negative for this, I feel no envy for his beautiful style and vision, but I feel grave curiousity for who this man is that controls his world in this way, his vision, his design principles and his words.
The book is beautifully designed, as was by design, and the framing of his photo, the straightforward image, the expression, the eyes, it engages me further into this world that is, so oddly, simply not mine, except to borrow.
A link to my comments on by design http://karenh.vox.com/library/post/by-design-why-there-are-no-locks-on-the-bathroom-doors-in-the-hotel-louis-xiv-and-other-object-less.html
Segre is a great writer. [how do i make an accent for his name? the poor man, i am misspelling him. he needs an accent grave on the final e.] The book would be a pleasure to read, even if I weren't in love with physics, physicists, and history.
This book is set around the 1932 annual gathering at Bohr's institute in Copenhagen. It is a year of amazing breakthroughs in quantum mechanics, a year of upheavals in European history, and the beginning of paths that were not considered. War, holocaust, nuclear capabilities. The group splits - some escaping the nazi's, some working with them.
Threaded through the stories of individual lives, physics, and love, is the telling of a skit of Faust, recreated by the younger physicists, and a retelling of the brilliance of Goethe.
Highly recommend this one.
n.b. there are a few new physics books out, one on uncertainty, one or two on einstein, etc. i have them all but have only read this one so far.
This book is set around the 1932 annual gathering at Bohr's institute in Copenhagen. It is a year of amazing breakthroughs in quantum mechanics, a year of upheavals in European history, and the beginning of paths that were not considered. War, holocaust, nuclear capabilities. The group splits - some escaping the nazi's, some working with them.
Threaded through the stories of individual lives, physics, and love, is the telling of a skit of Faust, recreated by the younger physicists, and a retelling of the brilliance of Goethe.
Highly recommend this one.
n.b. there are a few new physics books out, one on uncertainty, one or two on einstein, etc. i have them all but have only read this one so far.
Krishnamurti's books tend to be collections of conversations or lectures he has given. As such they are often very repetitive.
This book considers our relationship with ourselves as the basis of our relationships with others, as well as directly considering the relationships we have with others.
I'm tempted to leap into a philosophical discussion on his topics, but shall refrain! (You are thanking me, even if you are unawares.)
Krishnamurti is almost an acquired taste I think. Perhaps it simple requires a desire to think, reflect, and evaluate. No real reason to read him otherwise.
This book considers our relationship with ourselves as the basis of our relationships with others, as well as directly considering the relationships we have with others.
I'm tempted to leap into a philosophical discussion on his topics, but shall refrain! (You are thanking me, even if you are unawares.)
Krishnamurti is almost an acquired taste I think. Perhaps it simple requires a desire to think, reflect, and evaluate. No real reason to read him otherwise.
This book is a few decades old. 80s I believe.
Psychology and development studies having been historically based on male development and Gilligan addresses this, as well as the differences in moral development which tend to show that women are less developed. Women tend to make decisions based on relationships and an attempt to keep all involved parties from being hurt, whereas men tend to make decisions based on logic and rules and justice.
Intertwined with her discussion of the above is a discussion of women and their responsibility for self, for identity, for voice, in an environment where self-sacrifice by women tends to be a priority.
Fairly theory heavy and not an easy read though once I got in to it I read the entire book in one sitting and took a great deal of notes on some of her theories, to consider when I have a bit more time.
Psychology and development studies having been historically based on male development and Gilligan addresses this, as well as the differences in moral development which tend to show that women are less developed. Women tend to make decisions based on relationships and an attempt to keep all involved parties from being hurt, whereas men tend to make decisions based on logic and rules and justice.
Intertwined with her discussion of the above is a discussion of women and their responsibility for self, for identity, for voice, in an environment where self-sacrifice by women tends to be a priority.
Fairly theory heavy and not an easy read though once I got in to it I read the entire book in one sitting and took a great deal of notes on some of her theories, to consider when I have a bit more time.
Just didn't really feel like it hit the mark. It is the story of a woman who is misidentified as a terrorist and the media frenzy that destroys her life. It is some what purposefully started by a man who is angry at her, but he too soon believes as most everyone else that this woman must be an evildoer.
Tepid.
Tepid.