Mere Mortals Book Reviews

How much has the digital revolution changed the publishing industry?'Book Wars' by John B. Thompson is an overview of how the internet and digitisation of books changed the publishing industry. It mostly covers the 2005-2018 period when Ebooks started gain popularity and momentum. It goes into extreme depth so be prepared to read through a lot of history, which makes it a comprehensive book. I quite enjoyed it for the unexpected outcomes that ran counter to intuition but also found it tedious at times to keep going through.Only one boostagram from Brian D O'Leary this week (which is very much appreciated). You are actually making a sad puppy :'( But I do appreciate the comments on the YT channel.Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(2:15) - Initial Impression(3:26) - Plot/Style(6:06) - Quote 1(8:33) - Themes/Questions(15:07) - Quote 2(22:55) - Author & Extras(26:34) - Quote 3(30:04) - Summary(34:22) - Boostagram Lounge(36:52) - Value 4 ValueValue 4 Value Support:Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/supportPaypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcastConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastConnect With Cole McCormick (Voice Actor):Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/colemccormick1Podcast: https://fountain.fm/show/6705669

Forgive me please, I'm about to turn into a hater.In today's episode I'm going over a couple of books that I disliked. The main point of this is to showcase my thinking on the types of things I won't read or dislike to read. Not going to lie, this wasn't my greatest episode ever. I was tired, sick and all my normal settings got disturbed before the live stream. Truly helped me be the greatest hater, bleh.Huge props to Deezlaughs for supporting the show, I really appreciate it!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(2:15) - Time eliminates untruths(6:24) - Supercharged emotions(10:42) - Communication style(15:52) - Purpose: Persuade, inform &/or entertain(20:40) - Exceptions to the rule(22:29) - Boostagram Lounge(25:03) - Value 4 ValueValue 4 Value Support:Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/supportPaypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcastConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast

Politics, violence & propaganda; what an awful mix.'Manufacturing Consent' by Edward S. Herman & Noam Chomsky explains the propaganda model of communications, which explains why mass media shows an overall biased view. They describe the 5 mechanisms that lead to heavy filtering of information before going over examples from the Vietnam War to Latin America politics. It's a book that made me super angry, distressed, disgusted and depressed. Has really reinforced my philosophy against violence/coercion and also my detestation of politics/mass media.Huge props to Deezlaughs for supporting the show, I really appreciate it!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(1:37) - Initial Impression(3:58) - Plot/Style(6:44) - Quote 1(9:36) - Themes/Questions(16:09) - Quote 2(19:40) - Authors & Extras(22:20) - Quote 3(26:47) - Summary(31:41) - Boostagram Lounge(34:08) - Value 4 ValueValue 4 Value Support:Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/supportPaypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcastConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastConnect With Cole McCormick (Voice Actor):Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/colemccormick1Podcast: https://fountain.fm/show/6705669

Juan's back for a review.Join us on Mere Mortals for a renewed and deeper exploration of David Goggins' renowned book, 'Can't Hurt Me.' This revisit uncovers fresh insights and perspectives on Goggins' journey of mental toughness and self-transformation. Dive into our discussion about overcoming life's toughest challenges and the power of pushing beyond limits.Timeline: (0:00) - Intro(2:10) - Accountability Mirror(4:55) - Darkness(8:03) - Battle of the Mind(11:29) - Taking Souls(13:28) - Being Comfortable(14:56) - The 40% Rule(17:13) - Joy(19:45) - What If?(21:23) - Support UsValue 4 Value Support:Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/supportPaypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcastConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast

Sometimes punishments just can't make up for the crime.'Darkness At Noon' by Arthur Koestler is a taste of a political prisoner's experience during the Moscow Trials. Rubashov is a high ranking party member that has been thrown in jail and accused of crimes against the Revolution. It follows his detention over a several week period as he is tortured and comes to realise the terrible things he has done in the name of 'the greater good'.Huge props to Petar and Ashley Glenday for supporting, really appreciate it!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(1:33) - Initial Impression(2:56) - Plot/Style(5:50) - Quote 1(8:10) - Themes/Questions(12:27) - Quote 2(17:20) - Author & Extras(19:37) - Quote 3(24:42) - Summary(29:12) - Boostagram Lounge(31:09) - Value 4 ValueValue 4 Value Support:Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/supportPaypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcastConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastConnect With Cole McCormick (Voice Actor):Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/colemccormick1Podcast: https://fountain.fm/show/6705669

Aiiiiiiii aiaiaiaia aiiiyayayaiaaia!'The Last Of The Mohicans' by James Fenimore Cooper is a work of historical fiction set during the colonisation of the United States Of America. It follows the dangerous adventures of a mixed group of native Indians and English settlers as they are plagued by adversaries. The dialogue can be a bit hard to interpret at times but the portrayal of untouched nature is beautiful and the constant surprises keep you on your toes.No support again this week, need to pick this up people.Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(1:29) - Initial Impression(2:41) - Plot/Style(6:13) - Quote 1(8:20) - Themes/Questions(12:35) - Quote 2(19:14) - Author & Extras(22:40) - Quote 3(26:26) - Summary(29:57) - Boostagram Lounge(32:55) - Value 4 ValueValue 4 Value Support:Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/supportPaypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcastConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastConnect With Cole McCormick (Voice Actor):Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/colemccormick1Podcast: https://fountain.fm/show/6705669

You wouldn't steal a car .... but I would download one!'Free ' by Chris Anderson is an argument for why online abundance has changed the way businesses run and that this trend is only going to continue. He looks at various types of companies/products and shows how zero marginal costs result in 4 outcomes: direct cross-subsidies, the three-party market, freemium and nonmonetary markets. I read this mostly for more material to use on my 'Value 4 Value' podcast so it was part work and part pleasure. A solid book if you're interested in how digital abundance has changed the world.No support this week :'(Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(1:27) - Initial Impression(2:44) - Plot/Style(5:17) - Quote 1(7:07) - Themes/Questions(12:08) - Quote 2(18:19) - Author & Extras(22:44) - Quote 3(25:23) - Summary(28:44) - Boostagram Lounge(33:21) - Value 4 ValueValue 4 Value Support:Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/supportPaypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcastConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastConnect With Cole McCormick (Voice Actor):Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/colemccormick1Podcast: https://fountain.fm/show/6705669

Who will end humanity first, the aliens or us?!'The Three-Body Problem' by Cixin Liu is a sci-fi novel involving aliens, science, warfare and politics. Unexplainable events start to occur to scientists after contact has been made with the Trisolaris world. We gradually learn about their unique ecosystem and why humanity might be in danger not just from the outside, but also within. I loved the first 2/3rds of the book for it's distinctive plot/style but was slightly disappointed at how rushed the end felt. Was still a great read overall though.Thanks to Petar and Joe Martin for supporting the show. Absolute legends!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(1:15) - Initial Impression(2:20) - Plot/Style(6:10) - Quote 1(8:26) - Themes/Questions(9:37) - Quote 2(15:00) - Themes/Questions (Continued)(18:34) - Author & Extras(21:10) - Quote 3(24:54) - Summary(27:47) - Boostagram Lounge(30:36) - Value 4 ValueValue 4 Value Support:Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/supportPaypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcastConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastConnect With Cole McCormick (Voice Actor):Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/colemccormick1Podcast: https://fountain.fm/show/6705669

Prepare for your heartstrings to be plucked.'The Harp In The South' by Ruth Park is a classic Australian book detailing the lives of the poverty stricken Darcy family. This fictional family lives in Surry Hills, which in the 1930's was an inner city slum of Sydney. There is no plot per se as it simply follow the lives of this small family, with particular attention shown to the young daughter Roie. The events that unfold are tragic but they battle through to find the moments of love that make all the pain bearable.Thanks to Cole McCormick & Sam Sethi for supporting the show. Absolute legends!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(1:03) - Initial Impression(2:16) - Plot/Style(4:34) - Young Love(6:30) - Themes/Questions(10:30) - Poverty(16:27) - Author & Extras(19:12) - Aussie Issues(23:04) - Summary(26:16) - Boostagram Lounge(28:29) - Value 4 ValueValue 4 Value Support:Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/supportPaypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcastConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastConnect With Cole McCormick (Voice Actor):Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/colemccormick1Podcast: https://fountain.fm/show/6705669

Will the psychology of humans be compatible with the predicted tech future we face?'The Inevitable' by Kevin Kelly is a series of technological trends that he believes will dictate the future. It is primarily based on what is already happening and his educated guess as to how this will manifest in a couple of decades time. It is broken down into 12 themes which interact and merge with each other. It is somewhat utopic in nature but I feel does a decent job of showcasing what could be possible and at the very least is thought provoking.Thanks to Cole McCormick from the AMERICAPLUS podcast for the guest voice-over and Cole/Sam Sethi for the support.Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(1:43) - Initial Impression(3:38) - Plot/Style(5:31) - Quote 1(7:48) - Themes/Questions(8:16) - Quote 2(11:26) - Privacy & Utopias(17:06) - Author & Extras(18:54) - Quote 3(20:43) - Summary(25:15) - Boostagram Lounge(29:55) - Value 4 ValueValue 4 Value Support:Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/supportPaypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcastConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastConnect With Cole McCormick (Voice Actor):Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/colemccormick1Podcast: https://fountain.fm/show/6705669