REMINDER: THE ARENA PLATFORM, INC. has no obligation to monitor the Forums. However, THE ARENA PLATFORM, INC. reserves the right to review any materials submitted to or posted on the Forums, and remove, delete, redact or otherwise modify such materials, in its sole discretion and for any reason whatsoever, at any time and from time to time, without notice or further obligation to you. THE ARENA PLATFORM, INC. has no obligation to display or post any materials provided by you. THE ARENA PLATFORM, INC. reserves the right to disclose, at any time and from time to time, any information or materials that we deem necessary or appropriate to satisfy any applicable law, regulation, contract obligation, legal or dispute process or government request. Click on the following hyperlinks to further read the applicable Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Wut? How else am I supposed to learn how to effectively fight 5 dudes at once or how covert ops and spies actually work?
That's all fine, *if* true. What these guys are saying is the information in the books is mostly flat out wrong and/or poorly reasoned. So read *those books* and get stupid.Wut? How else am I supposed to learn how to effectively fight 5 dudes at once or how covert ops and spies actually work?
In all seriousness, as dumb as those books can be, I disagree with it being a spreader of stupidity. There is a strong self selection bias at work that actually favors people who actually read and fly frequently, likely for work, which selects for people with at least an average IQ that is higher than the norm IMO
Mostly agree. One of the authors of a popular series I like was on Rogan a few weeks back. He writes about a black ops guy. Turns out the author was an insurance salesman before becoming an author and has no military or intelligence experience whatsoever
In that sense I agree. 
www.pushkin.fm
Awww, come on, you are way smarter than average.
No subscription needed. Jamie Brisick has a voice that belongs on NPR. He should try to be somewhere between where he is currently and the vibe on Late Night With Chocky. The best TSJ episode is the one with Barton Lynch.
Assuming you are right, still, smarter than average isn't saying much. And if the readers of such books believe what they read in them, and spread the information therein, then the podcasters are correct, while being hyperbolic to some degree.Mostly agree. One of the authors of a popular series I like was on Rogan a few weeks back. He writes about a black ops guy. Turns out the author was an insurance salesman before becoming an author and has no military or intelligence experience whatsoever
Where I disagree is that the demographic who purchases those books tends be smarter than average because they are people with professional jobs who need an escape from technical and business shop talk all the time, in addition to being people who actually read regularly in the first place.
I dunno. People who read that stuff do so because it's an escape. Just like watching actions movies- if they were believable they'd be boring. For example with Jack Reacher, I don't think too many people believe that if you were to hitch hike and take Greyhounds to random towns around the US that you would find yourself embroiled in bizarre mysteries and conspiracies. Seems like some kind of luck.
Pretty sure I implied that alreadyBut why don't you just admit you buy these books?
Jack Reacher is fiction. Big difference, IMO. Lots of people believe what Gladwell writes is true.
I thought that’s what we were talking about
When I read “airport books” I was thinking of those fiction paperbacks that you can buy at every newsstand.
Oh, ha. The podcast is about the nonfiction books found in airports. I realize I didn't state that explicitly.I thought that’s what we were talking about
I’ve never read Gladwell (assuming you mean Malcolm) and don’t read much nonfiction. I’ve heard him on a few podcasts and I think he’s a bore.
