'The Rules of Contagion: Why Things Spread - and Why They Stop' by Adam Kucharski

The Rules of Contagion: Why Things Spread - and Why They Stop, Adam Kucharski (4.0)

This book contained lots of good information of various contagious activity – from viruses to information – and reasons to be worried and not so worried. A key finding was that social media alone does not spread misinformation, it’s when the lie gets picked up by the media (i.e. ‘information laundering’), that it gets credibility and spreads more widely. Interestingly thosen with influence are not typically those who are highly susceptible to misguided theories. Also, online outbreaks are weak compared to biological ones which have a farther reach and higher probability of spreading. Which, of course was foreshadowing to our COVID situation. I was most amazed at how prescient the author was about pandemics, given this was published just prior to our recent one. My favorite comment: ‘a one-man riot is a tantrum’. 

'There There' by Tommy Orange

There There, Tommy Orange (3.5)

This is a book of many Native American characters in Oakland, CA who have a variety of histories and situations but come together at the first Oakland Pow-wow. I found this book and author an important voice to hear and the characters quite different. There was actually a lot ‘there’ here in terms of introducing urban Native American characters. I particularly liked the concept discussed concerning genes versus culture (i.e. are you a Native American if you were adopted into a Caucasian family with no idea of your birth culture?). It has been a long-standing issue with the diverse cultures of people who have come to America and were here to start with – how much do you assimilate; how much do you maintain? Despite the rave reviews, I found the writing to be good, but not great. Every chapter told from a different character trope is getting tiresome. I’m very glad I didn’t read this on my e-reader as I had to go back to the character list often. My biggest complaint is the ending – the reader is left at the climax with big questions unanswered. Not surprising, there is another book on the way.