Gods And Fools

Spotlight on Cynicism

I've often been called a cynic. It's probably accurate. So maybe I have an insider's perspective on how so many people are wildly cynical about their so-called holy cause and principal passions.

The first sin was said to be pride -- not just a desire to be important, but a desire to be a match for the gods themselves, right?

I read a piece on accused murdering-professor Amy Bishop last night that examined her great anger at feeling invisible. That's a fairly universal feeling, as I see it. Bishop's life represents one extremely warped way to lash out against those who seem to keep us invisible.

But there are other ways too, ways that are less warped but quite damaging potentially over the long haul.

I think of Muslims in the greater Middle East who feel significant only to the extent that they are blaming the U.S. for causing their problems. And in so doing, they manage to tolerate crazy jihadists who then devour them.

I think of secular and orthodox Jews who can't come close to agreeing about what manner of society Israel should be -- but they are able to agree that anyone who criticizes Israeli policy is an anti-Semite (are you listening, Barack Hussein Obama?). All the while, Palestinians and Arabs continue to breed quickly enough to allow Muslims to someday outnumber Jews in an ostensibly Jewish state.

I think of Tea Partiers who claim to want lower taxes but have yet to renounce the various social programs and military adventurism they so gladly support. I think of Democrats too, more united against Rush Limbaugh than in favor of representing the entire citizenry.

In all these cases, the protagonist deludes himself into believing he is a noble warrior, even a martyr. Yet something cynical is going on at the same time. The same homo sapiens that splits the atom and stares down distant quasars and meddles with DNA is too intelligent and too clever not to recognize that there will be serious long-term bills to be paid as a result of today's intransigence or grandstanding or recklessness.

He simply may not care deep down, because he is at least scratching his itch -- his need to be significant, and loud, in the public eye. And if his children bleed as a result of his lifelong itching, he figures he will be gone by then, all while he claims to be fighting on their behalf.

Now that's cynicism.

Cheap Ways to Make This Book a Success

I've got a number of good friends who've indicated they're willing to help turn my first book, Lessons from the Holy Wars, into a success. Here are a few ways that range in cost from nothing to, oh, about $16.95:

1. Share this link for the book with your friends on Facebook and Twitter. Or go old-school and email the link to them, with kind word about me from you. Ask them to share it too.
2. Go to the Amazon page for my book and vote up the reviews of the book. It's simple, just read the glowing reviews, and at the bottom of each review, press "Yes" when it asks you if the review was helpful. This show
3. Vote up my friend Tim's "Amazon listmania," here, of top books. On the right side of the page, under his pic, you can vote "Yes" when it asks if his list was helpful. This elevates his list, which features my book.
4. Create your own listmania of cool books that hopefully features mine.
5. Buy the paperback version of the book, which is available here now.
6. Buy the Kindle version of the book, which will be available very shortly. Stay tuned.
7. Come to my book discussion on Wednesday, February 10. Event details are here, and directions are here.
8. If you're coming to the event, buy your copy on Amazon beforehand. That keeps my Amazon rank as high as possible, which will help when reporters and editors check it out to see if it's worth coverage.  
9. Take the book with you to the doctor's office, bars, and bar mitzvahs. My journalism adviser Karin's already been able to get a few people intrigued that way. Thanks, Karin!
10. Link to my new articles, such as this one.

Gratefully,

Rob

"Holy War" book launch on Feb. 10: How to get to USC

We'd love to have you join us for my book launch at USC. Here's the link to info on the event, which will take place on the second floor of Doheny Library.  For those of you who aren't familiar with campus, here's some helpful info.

Whatever direction you may be coming from, you should take the 110 freeway to the EXPOSITION BLVD exit. Head WEST on EXPOSITION for about 2 blocks. Then turn RIGHT onto FIGUEROA STREET. Then...:

A) If you want to join some of us beforehand at THE LAB pub for a little drink or a bite to eat, you should take the first right, into the Radisson Hotel, and tell the valet there that you're going to THE LAB (you can get validated for three hours there). Then walk to Doheny, which is a short distance away (see the large map below).

B) If you want to come straight to campus, take the first left on FIGUEROA onto the main USC campus. Pay $8 and they'll give you good parking right next to Doheny Library.

Any questions? Call me at 213-740-7542. Hope to see you there!