— On Assholes

In the la times, here, summarized thusly:

“Written as a conversation with a variety of well-known philosophers, James, a surfer-philosopher himself, finds his main opponent is Jean-Paul Sartre … the French philosopher whose dark existential world views are rebuffed by the surfer’s intrinsic harmony with the state of things.”

An excerpt from my new book at lithub, here, which begins this way:

“Not so long ago, in the dark days before the 40-hour workweek, the average person worked constantly, without time to completely rest, let alone laze around, get creative, and maybe take up surfing. Fortunately, history brought something of a revolution. …”

N.B., the chapter called “Society” (which isn’t excerpted) features the asshole surfer.

With International Business Times, here.

A short excerpt from a new book:

“Is there a self-help guide to surfer success? Perhaps, in these seven steps:

First, take it easy. Enjoy the fine weather. Watch the waves. Maybe go for a paddle if the waves aren’t doing it today. Chillax. For those of a nonaquatic lifestyle, take ample time in leisure, and don’t try to do too much. Leave time for becoming attuned to your books or your music, your garden, or the birds in your neighborhood.

Second, accept. Accept your present circumstances. Because nothing interrupts attuned adaption to this coming moment like resisting the fact that one is, for now, where one is. Seek reconciliation. Check feelings of entitlement. Cultivate grace and gratitude. … (the rest is here).”

To many of his supporters, Donald Trump, the presumptive GOP nominee, is an asshole. But he’s also entertaining, even likable, bold and courageous, and certainly a winner. What is more, he’s potentially a force for good. Our political system is chock-full of assholes (is it not?), in which case we could do well to add an even bigger, stronger asshole in hopes of bringing order. As the great political philosopher Thomas Hobbes might have put it, Trump, the alpha-asshole, has the potential to “over-awe” the others and restore orderly cooperation.

… continue reading here

Check out the audio version of Assholes: A Theory of Donald Trump here.  A expert on Soundcloud is here:

_Assholes: A Theory of Donald Trump_ , by yours truly (cover photo here)

“devi essere sempre più furbo degli altri per avere successo nella vita” (you have always to be  more clever than any other if you want to be successful).  The result in Italy, according to a helpful correspondent, herself Italian, is that assholes and jerks are everywhere .

2013 was a banner year in assholery—in no small part because of the breathtaking spectacle of Senator Ted Cruz.  But while it is never good when self-aggrandizing political entrepreneurs walk a country and the world to the edge of a needless economic disaster, 2013 also brought some remarkable good news.   …  Continue reading here.