Sunday, December 2

Mini-Reviews of Books Read, November 2012

Reviews of books read last month: two novels, and two popular science
   books, and a business book about Apple.

   Sorry if the reviews are a bit long - I didn't have time to make them
   shorter.


   1. "The Age of Miracles" by Karen Thompson Walker
     <http://www.amazon.com/The-Age-Miracles/dp/0812992970>

   This novel is set in suburban California in the near future.  Julia,
   the narrator, reflects on when she was an 11 year old girl.  Without
   warning, the earth's rotation has begun slowing down, meaning the days
   are gradually getting longer.  It's not only the clocks that are getting
   out of kilter.  The earth's gravitation and magnetic fields are also
   changing, with birds having problems flying and other animals struggling.

   After the initial shock of the unexplained changes, people adopt two
   conflicting strategies to deal with "the Slowing".  "Real timers"
   decide to accept the lengthening days and nights, synchronising
   themselves to the new cycle.  But the majority follow the government's
   decision to persist with "clock time".  Businesses and schools continue
   to run on the old 24 hour clock, and people sleep whenever their clocks
   say it's "nighttime".  The minority real timers are soon regarded with
   suspicion.  Shunned by the clock timers, they voluntarily relocate to
   desert communities where they can live as they please.

   It's against this backdrop that Julia tells us her story.  She continues
   to go to school, play soccer, and take piano lessons.  Her best friend,
   Hanna, moves to Utah with her Mormon parents when news of the slowing
   breaks.  They return a few months later, but Hanna decides to hang out
   with other, cooler, kids.  Julia's mother, develops strange symptoms:
   nausea, dizziness and sometimes blackouts.  She, along with many other
   people, has developed "the syndrome".  Her father is a doctor, and has
   been having an affair with her piano teacher.  As Julia tries to cope
   with all this, her twelfth birthday comes and goes, and she develops a
   crush on a boy.

   Overall, this is an interesting and well-written story.  At the risk of
   spoiling the ending, I want to point out there is no climactic crisis
   conveniently resolved by the intervention of the main character.  This
   isn't a Hollywood-style blockbuster sci-fi epic.  On the big-picture
   level, it's speculative fiction about how society must adapt to global
   changes.  But at its heart it's a personal story, about a girl who must
   adapt to the changes that will inevitably lead her to adulthood.


   2. "Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking"
      by Susan Cain
     <http://www.amazon.com/Quiet-Power-Introverts/dp/0307352145>

   Between a third and a half of all people are generally introverts.
   The author of this book argues it's important that introverts are
   accepted for who they are, and not be expected to make themselves
   more "normal" (i.e. extroverted).  In fact, she argues that the are
   many benefits to society from having introverts.  A lot of art,
   music and other creative works are produced by introverts, along
   with many scientific and technological breakthroughs.

   The purpose of book is to redress the mainstream prejudice of focusing
   on the positive aspects of extroversion and the negative traits of
   introverts.  The author uses research into psychology, neuroscience,
   philosophy, genetics and biology to look at what makes many people
   behave in a quiet, introspective way.  There are some less than
   desirable aspect of extroverts, such as impulsiveness and big-talking.
   She critiques the emphasis on creating environments geared towards
   extroverted behaviour.  Schools, workplaces and other places have
   become tailored to meet the stimulation needs of extroverts: group
   work, open plans, constant noise and busy-ness help satisfy the
   extroverts' craving for constant stimulation, but are stifling for
   introverts.  Introverts are usually hypersensitive.  They prefer
   listening to speaking, thinking to acting, caution to knee-jerk
   reactions.  In some cases, working in groups can lead to bad outcomes,
   for example committees and groupthink.

   The author argues that it hasn't always been an extrovert-centric world.
   Before the modern era, there used to be a "culture of character".  In
   the early 20th Century, a new "culture of personality" emerged.  People
   who could sell themselves (as well as products) became the new role
   models.  This shift hasn't happened in all cultures: for example, until
   recently, children of Asian backgrounds are still lauded for having
   quiet and studious natures.

   It should be noted that nobody is purely introverted or purely
   extroverted.  Most people are actually ambiverts, exhibiting behaviour
   on a broad spectrum of introversion/extroversion.  The behaviour often
   changes depending on circumstances.  The author provides advice for
   introverts on coping in a world geared towards extroverts and
   extroversion.  She argues that we should accept that solitude is
   important, and that people deserve to receive the optimal level of
   stimulation for their personality type.

   If you're time-poor, check out these video/audio links:
   * RSA: Quiet: the power of introverts in a world that can’t stop talking
     <http://www.thersa.org/events/audio-and-past-events/2012/quiet-
        the-power-of-introverts-in-a-world-that-cant-stop-talking>
   * RSA Shorts - The Power of Quiet
     <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUaj7rj6MI8>
   * Little Atoms Podcast (April 6, 2012)
     <http://www.littleatoms.com/susancain.htm>


   3. "The (Honest) Truth About Dishonesty" by Dan Ariely
     <http://www.amazon.com/Honest-Truth-About-Dishonesty/dp/0062183591>

   The author is a professor of psychology and behavioural economics.  In
   this book he explains the findings of research into dishonesty.
   Conventional economic theory, where people are expected to always act
   rationally, would suggest that we would try to maximise what we can
   get away with after weighing up the cost of getting caught.
   Fortunately, this "simple model of rational crime" does not appear
   to hold up: people don't take every available opportunity to act
   dishonestly, so another explanation for dishonest behaviour is required.

   The author argues that most of the time we want to do the right thing,
   or at least be seen to do the right thing, even if we could get away
   with it.  But the available research paints a very intriguing picture.
   It appears the dishonesty equation is rather complex.  Given the chance
   of getting away with something, scot-free, people do often act
   dishonestly.  But just a little bit.  By cheating just a bit, we can
   still regard ourselves as being nice.  This "fudge factor" is an
   example of cognitive dissonance, which allows us to rationalise away
   behaviour we know is wrong.

   These findings are based on repeated research experiments, asking
   people to solve problems for financial gain.  The researchers compare
   controls with results obtained by varying levels of self-reporting and
   opportunities to cheat.  They examined many factors which encourage or
   discourage cheating.  It turns out that moral codes, pledges of honesty,
   reasonable supervision, and minimisation of temptation can reduce the
   likelihood of cheating.  But if the environment encourages dishonesty,
   almost anyone will misbehave (for example Enron and Wall Street banks).
   There are several risk factors to watch for: conflicts of interest, the
   apparent distance between action and consequence, and depleted will-
   power.  Even knowingly wearing fake designer clothing or sunglasses can
   increase the likelihood of dishonest behaviour.  This explains the
   "slippery slope", or the "what the hell" effect.  Paradoxically, two
   things that don't appear to affect honesty are the amount of money to
   be gained and the probability of being caught.  All these factors
   affecting honesty, are neatly summarised in a diagram in the last
   chapter (page 245, figure 6 - reproduced at:
     http://www.ishn.com/articles/print/93791--what-the-hell---).

   The experiments have been conducted world-wide, with no appreciable
   evidence that people from different cultures are more dishonest.
   Environment is a bigger factor.  As mentioned before, the "distance"
   affects ability to rationalise cheating: it's harder to accept stealing
   cash, but easier to fiddle with complex securities far removed from
   investors.  There's an interesting link between creativity and
   dishonesty.  And it seems some religions practices, such as Catholic
   confession and Jewish atonement, are quite effective is reducing
   dishonesty.  This is because they allow the opportunity to ask for
   forgiveness, and permit sinners to turn over a new leaf.

   Other interesting books by the author: "Predictably Irrational" and
   "The Upside of Irrationality".

   If you don't have the time to read, check out the video and audio from
   Ariely's appearance at the RSA:
     <http://www.thersa.org/events/audio-and-past-events/2012/free-beer-
        the-truth-about-dishonesty>
     <http://danariely.com/2012/10/20/the-honest-truth-about-dishonesty-
        rsa-animate-version/>


   4. "Inside Apple: How America's Most Admired - and Secretive - Company
       Really Works" by Adam Lashinsky
     <http://www.amazon.com/Inside-Apple/dp/1455516074>

   Written by a Fortune magazine editor, this book aims to lift the lid
   on the inner workings of Apple.  It collects and expands on several
   articles written by Lashinsky for the magazine over the years.  The
   author argues that Apple ignores a lot of the conventional wisdom
   about running large corporations.  It prefers to be closed and
   secretive rather than open and transparent.  It prefers tight focus
   (being vertical) over diversification (being horizontal), and
   micromanagement over empowerment of workers. And despite its size,
   in many ways the company is still run as if it was a lean startup.

   Throughout the book, the author makes comparisons with how other tech
   companies make decisions.  For example, Google once reportedly set up
   experiments to test which 41 shades of blue should be used:
     <http://www.fastcodesign.com/1662273/google-equates-design-
        with-endless-testing-theyre-wrong>
   Apple famously frowns on such "decisions by committee".  Instead, an
   Apple employee might ask Steve (Jobs) or Jony (Ive, head of design).

   A lot of the information presented in not new, such as the obsession
   with simplicity, attention to detail, and efficient supply chain.  But
   some aspects are not as widely known.  For example, the periodic Top 100
   get-togethers, where the most important employees of the company meet
   off-site to discuss products in the pipeline.  The book also describes
   the "Apple University", which comprises courseware prepared by leading
   business educators, exclusively for internal use, with the aim of
   teaching the "Apple way" of developing and marketing technology products.
   This is one mechanism the company has developed to cope with the loss of
   key staff, including its founder and iconic CEO, Steve Jobs.

   A lot of the information in the book was gathered from interviews with
   former employees (many of them unnamed), business partners, and other
   Apple-watchers.  The lack of interviews with current Apple executives
   makes one wonder about the accuracy of some of the more speculative
   conclusions.  But, overall, an interesting look at what makes Apple
   tick, and what its future may hold without Jobs at the helm.


   5. "Generazione mille euro" ("1000 Euro Generation")
      by Antonio Incorvaia and Alessandro Rimassa
     <http://www.amazon.com/Generazione/dp/8817031631>

   This is a short novel about a group of 20-ish and 30-ish singles living
   and working in Milan.  Claudio, the main character, is an intern at a
   high-pressure, hyper-competitive marketing firm.  At the start of the
   novel, he's given the opportunity to go to Barcelona to present his
   work on an important campaign.  The presentation is well received, and
   his boss is happy, but not happy enough to give him a raise or a better
   contract.  Claudio is dissatisfied with the cold/hot/cold relationship
   with his girlfriend, Eleonora.  He shares a flat with a couple of guys
   and a girl.  Matteo lectures part-time at a university, but his real
   job seems to be working out obsessively at the gym.  He sponges off
   his wealthy parents.  Alessio has a steady job at the post office, but
   yearns to be a journalist.  Rossella is a part-time promotional model
   who babysits to make ends meet.

   The 1000 euro of the title refers to the average net monthly salary
   that many young Italians have to live on.  It's barely enough top cover
   rent and other basics - no wonder many of their peers prefer living at
   home and commute long distances to work.  But it's not just the meagre
   pay that causes financial insecurity: these "co.co.pros" are hired
   under recently-introduced labour laws which permit employers to hire
   workers for long probation periods with little or no pay, and relaxed
   termination clauses.

   Late in the novel Claudio has an interesting encounter with a homeless
   woman, Anna.  She went to live the streets after her husband died and
   she could no longer afford the mortgage.  Claudio feels compassionate
   and offers her money, but she tells him to keep it, because he needs
   it more than she does. This episode makes Claudio see his situation in
   a new light.

   I found the novel frustratingly short.  More fleshing out of characters
   and situations could have made more impact.  My hopes rose when Claudio
   briefly talked about the writing of George Orwell and Ray Bradbury in
   the context of censorship.  I also had hopes that the meeting between
   Claudio met Anna would develop into something more.  The increasing
   influence of the English language in everyday Italian life was
   interesting, as was the emerging politicisation of the plight of the
   "stagisti".  But, ultimately, this novel doesn't quite match Douglas
   Coupland in defining a statement for a generation (for example, in
   Generation X).

   The novel was recently made into a film, but from the description, it
   appears some of characters have been combined and the plot has been
   changed considerably.