Feldman's Faves: September 9, 2024

GOOD MORNING EVERYONE

There is nothing like Toronto in September. It is a time for new beginnings, great Fall weather and colours and of course TIFF, which is off to an amazing start. I was fortunate to be invited to the opening night and saw Ben Stiller’s new film, “Nutcrackers” which I highly recommend (even though it meant missing the Chiefs / Ravens game). Boohoo, poor me….

Another great thing about September is that it represents the “kick off” of the new NFL and College Football seasons.  I don’t recall a time where there was so much parity in both leagues and where how the season ends is so uncertain. That said,  I think the early season favourites have to be the Chiefs and the Longhorns.  But we will see. Also, I think the new kickoff rule in the NFL makes a lot of sense and will improve both the safety and the quality of the game.

Finally, I am really looking forward to watching tomorrow night’s Presidential Debate as I expect it will be a watershed moment in this year’s campaign. I am assuming that regardless of the outcome the candidates won’t be changing again….

Just friendly reminder of our Bagel Breakfast this morning. We need to carbo load for the week – so hope to see you there. And thank you to Alex as always for organizing this event.

Today’s theme covers work of people that I admire.

AGE OF REVOLUTIONS By: Fareed Zakaria –  For those of you who attend the Monk Debates or who watch CNN, Fareed Zakaria is a treat to watch. He is one of the most thoughtful and insightful experts on global affairs and politics today. He looks at issues and digs into the nuances that many analysts just gloss over. In his most recent book, Age of Revolutions, Zakaria gives us his take of big history at least from the perspective of Modern Western Civilization and more specifically focuses on eras that are fraught with instability and change – I can’t imagine why that topic would be of interest….In any case, we learn about various violent (think French or American) and peaceful (think British) revolutions that have taken place over time and the patterns that emerge in their wake. He also focuses on the factors that are creating major change and upheaval today, namely, globalization, technology, identify and geopolitics – all of which are leading to change in the global and domestic political order – where the US is no longer the dominant hegemon it once was.  While he could take a very negative and dire tone, Zakaria looks at these changes as opportunities for the US and the world to find a better way to move to the next stage of history and to maintain the global order. While the future is uncertain, we learn that there are different ways seismic change can occur and ultimately it becomes a question as to how our current leaders will look to and learn from the lessons of history.  As one reviewer notes, “Zakaria tells the epic story of the upheavals, breakthroughs, backlashes, and transformations that marked the rise of Western liberalism and industrial modernity, looking for insights to explain today’s fraught global moment. Starting with the “liberal revolutions” of the sixteenth-century Dutch Republic and England’s Glorious Revolution of 1688, the book traces the tumultuous path of economic, technological, and political modernization through the eras of British and American industrial supremacy and post–Cold War globalization. Zakaria focuses on what he sees as the key dynamic at the heart of each of these revolutions of modernity: a struggle between forces seeking to harness economic and technological change for profit and progress, on the one hand, and groups seeking to hold on to their old identities and ways of life, on the other. In Zakaria’s account, societies that embrace liberal commitments to trade, openness, and free thinking, such as the United States in the postwar era, tend to be more innovative and powerful, but illiberal forces are never fully vanquished either at home or abroad. By grandly illuminating the great revolutions of the past, Zakaria holds a mirror to our own times.”  I have read (and reviewed) many books over the years that cover the general ideas/concepts reflected Age of Revolutions.  Zakaria’s take on this topic is insightful, thoughtful and reflective of his years of experience reporting on, writing about and living and breathing with these issues. Absolutely worth reading. Here’s a good review from Foreign Policy – https://foreignpolicy.com/2024/03/25/fareed-zakaria-age-of-revolutions-review/

SmartLess - "Henry Winkler" – Like many kids of the 1970’s and 1980’s I was a typical “latch-key” kid.  One of my favourite after school activities was to come home, watch Happy Days, then get on my bike and pretend I was the FONZ.  No – nobody was convinced that I was him (and for those who don’t know what I am talking about you will need to do a little Google research). Henry Winkler was one of the biggest stars of my childhood and in addition to Happy Day’s starred in one of the all time great comedy movies, Night Shift (if you haven’t seen it, you must). Over the years Winkler did many great projects, including producing MacGyver, acting in Arrested Development and more recently in Barry and has written best selling books.  He is a remarkable person, who suffered from dyslexia and managed to go to Yale. He also, of course is famous for Jumping the Shark (again, look this up if you don’t know what I am talking about). His interview with the three amigos from Smartless covers all these subjects and confirms that Winkler’s reputation as the nicest guy in Hollywood is well earned.  Here’s an excerpt from the PODCAST itself, “It’s the great Henry Winkler! A leaf-blower, chocolate jewelry, the Limbo for self-esteem, the FBI, and being a complete human being. Please don’t discontinue the white cheddar; it’s an all-new SmartLess.’ https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/smartless/id1521578868?i=1000660595680

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

Jon