Feldman's Faves: December 9, 2024

GOOD MORNING EVERYONE

So we now have a name –Toronto Tempo – I love it. I am really looking forward to this new chapter in Toronto sports history.  And Tara, please start working on recruiting Caitlin Clark….

If you are looking for a feel good moment this week I suggest you watch Coldplay’s new video ALL MY LOVE in which they feature 99 year old Dick van Dyke. It is a beautiful tribute to an incredible man who has seen it all and done it all.

More good news – Alex has agreed to continue on as our Section Coordinator for another term.  We will all be very well fed and taken care of next year and beyond. Thank you. Alex.

Finally, please join me in congratulating Owen on his engagement. A very exciting way to start the holiday season.

PS – Message from my daughter Mia – “Trinity community hub is a local organization that provides warm meals and clothing to people in need. They are currently collecting large winter coats and gear (hats, scarves, gloves) sleeping bags, hand warmers, soap, shampoo, dental care items (toothpaste, toothbrushes, floss) and laundry detergent pods”. https://docs.google.com/document/u/0/d/1K-BbPbVEVlnj8fThrS9TEYnMb9FAy-M3hZNkECu0M4g/mobilebasic

No theme this week – just topics of interest.

PERSOPOLIS By: Marjane Satrapi – I have not been a huge reader of graphic novels but that ones I have read have been very impactful, including Maus, which takes a playful format to address serious and important topics.  Both of my daughters read Persopolis in high school and both said it was a real education. As someone who was a child during the 1979 Iranian Revolution I have vague memories of it taking place and what it meant. I thought Satrapi did an excellent job, in a very readable format, of explaining the complexities and struggles that the people of Iran faced both prior to and as a result of the 1979 Revolution. Needless to say, it is both eye opening and heart breaking to learn about the immense suffering and fear that these people have endured over many, many years. On one hand this book is an easy read and on the other hand, not so much. As one reviewer notes, “A humorous and haunting memoir of a young girl in Iran by Marjane Satrapi, Persepolis is an absolutely amazing book, filled with happiness, grief and moments of childhood in a world where all children are forced to grow up. And it's told in a comic strip format, with simplistic but stunning images. The story begins with a young Marjane (or Marji), who doesn't understand what's going on around her. Her parents talk about dialectic materialism and martyrs. Her teacher says that the Shah is divine. Her maid doesn't eat with the family. Marjane herself wants to become a prophet. So she takes refuge in God and reading all the books she can. And then the Shah is overthrown, and a new Islamic regime takes control. All the schools are single-gender, she is forced to wear a veil, and the picture of the Shah is torn out of her textbook. Her parents' friends, Siamak and Mohsen, are released from prison. She meets Anoush, her uncle whom she immediately loves. He tells her stories about being in prison and Russia, and gifts her with a bread swan. Slowly, though, Marji and her parents realize that the regime isn't that much better than the monarchy that preceded it. Everyone who supported the revolution is now a sworn enemy of the government. The events that follow are unbelievable and, at times, horrifying. You'll have to read the rest and find out!  Satrapi wrote the text in an almost childish manner, to reflect Marjane's innocence in this horrifying world. All the characters are dynamic and realistic; I'll admit, I almost cried at a few moments in this book (and I never cry while reading books). The book moves at a fast pace, which almost gives the reader vertigo; the effect is very exhilarating. One of my favorite parts about this book was the format of graphic panels. Satrapi drew very simple images, which somehow conveyed a great depth of emotion and graphic weight. The contrasts between light and dark were apparent and very effective in communicating the messages. There was also a great deal of symbolism in the panels, which you will definitely see if you read the book. Overall, I would give this book a 10 out of 10. I would recommend this to girls and boys who are 12 and older; this book deals with very mature subject matter, and does depict scenes of violence at times. There is also a fair amount of cursing, especially by some adults.”  I can see why Persopolis has become required reading in many high school curricula and I hope it stays as there is a lot to learn here about a country we know very little about. Here is a good review from The Library Ladies - https://thelibraryladies.com/2016/09/27/kates-re-visit-review-the-complete-persepolis/

WorkLife with Adam Grant - The dark side of charisma – Wharton Professor, Adam Grant is really great at looking at conventional ideas in a different light. One of his main areas of expertise is leadership, and in particular leadership in business. One key question that underlies his work is that of what makes a great leader.  Most people believe that leaders need to be charismatic in order to “rally the troops”, get people to support the visions and direction of a business and of course, to keep people in line. In this PODCAST, Grant not only questions whether charisma (or “rizz” as the young folks say…) is a necessary but also points out its dangers, ranging from failure to focus on details, failure to listen to other ideas and failure to pivot when a pivot is required.  My view is that great leaders have the ability to deliver both the “sizzle and the steak” but it is clear that not everyone agrees.  Here’s an excerpt from the PODCAST itself, “You may think no leader could ever be too charismatic, but the evidence is clear: a dazzling personality doesn't always drive success. In this episode, Adam investigates why an excess of charm can actually be detrimental to people and organizations. He chats with bestselling author and executive coach Liz Wiseman and one of her clients, CEO Hazel Jackson, about how to spot baseless charisma — and why sometimes leadership calls for being a bit boring.”: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/worklife-with-adam-grant/id1346314086?i=1000668204626

Thank you for your ongoing engagement and participation.And remember to stay safe, stay healthy and to docket daily.

Jon