I’m seldom asked this question by women or people of color. Perhaps because being on the wrong end of a major power equation gives one an appreciation of criticism, of the work of dethroning prejudices and lies.
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I take every question provoked by the book seriously. But in recent weeks I’ve started to realize that this thirst for insta-solutions is a psychological reflex and need more than an intellectual inquiry.
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One man after another asks it, and often seems to think he’s the first to ask it. There is frequently a suggestion that writing criticism is easy. He could have done that himself! What would be useful is a plan, maybe even numbered.
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Pause for this great insight from a Twitter follower.https://twitter.com/lisakaysmsw/status/1046454919157485570?s=21 …
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Sometimes I hold out on principle. Sometimes I give in and start suggesting new tax rates. But what I always want to say is: Why does the existence of a book with criticisms so rankle you? Why do you itch to move on so fast to answers? What if you sat with it a moment?
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The books with solutions have already been written! If you are persuaded by
@winnerstakeall, persuaded of the need for systemic reform, hundreds of experts have written thousands of books on what fairer tax, labor, social, gender, education policies would be.Show this thread -
The rush to solutions reflects this hope: that barreling past diagnosis to get to prescribing will bypass the phase of blame. Criticism takes sides. Solutions can involve all.
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But would you ever trust a doctor who skipped past diagnosis and opened up the pill cabinet and started tossing bottles at you? Prescription follows diagnosis. Solution follows analysis. Action follows reflection. Doing follows seeing. And it has ever been so.
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I hate to disagree with someone whose book I like as much as yours, but this is stereotyping. I wrote a book about the sell job that is personal finance several years ago, also lacking solutions. Both men and women critiqued me for that decision. I think it speaks to the (m)
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Just telling you my experience of interactions I’ve had.
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Well, I'm just telling you mine -- and I've been at this for years. Book published last week of 2012. Women are not better than men when it comes to this -- I wish they were, believe me. PS -- I still love your book.
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I understand why u suggest that insisting on a “solution” to the problem of status-quo preserving philanthropy that u highlight might really be asking for ablution. But do u make a distinction btw that & asking for positive models of progressive philanthropic engagement?
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Big distinction. What I’m talking about is basically: “Why do people have to write critical things ever?”
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Hi Anand, I really like your book, and am OK with it not providing solutions (& actually, I think it does suggest some!) What I’m a bit disappointed by is that you insist on a gender analysis. Even if true, I think it alienates some people who feel stereotyped. Seems unnecessary
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I write the truth I observe. I know there are delicate balances with the truths one can speak working for a place like
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I admire you for it! But I also don’t speak on behalf of my employer on Twitter or in most of my personal writing, but more often for myself. It’s delicate indeed, but it’s possible too!
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There is a near-religious, passionate desire that no one should be blamed, or held responsible. Solutions frabba-jabba neatly avoids blame.
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