The Cancer Stage of Capitalism

Customer Reviews:

How they ignore the global illness harbingers ..........2005-10-12

John McMurtry, Professor of Philosophy at the University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada, does not hesitate to compare the capitalism with a cancerous ulcer. The greed conducts the processes of the capital accumulations -- and will not lead to sensible, ethically acceptable investments, but causes a dying of the planet like a tumor can start the fall of a human body. There are to show a lot of short-sightedness -- from the seabed up to the ozone layer, from weapons trade to waste of fuel and medicine by few ruthless nations. To ignore these matters is similar, indeed, like ignoring growing tumors and hoping with optimism, that there never will be any need of consulting a doctor. More and more money for useless investors is demanded by capital owners, unfortunately, a mentality of "predation" would not come into disrepute at all. However, this is the effort which makes McMurtry to himself with his publications: understanding the global markets and resources as an ethical task. So McMurtry interprets some famines caused by U.S. economy sanctions -- in Cuba, Somalia, Iraq or North Korea. A hoarding of resources (to be called almost lecherously) by only few privileged ones infuriates in principle the Canadian philosopher. He stands up vehemently for an ethic, which does not consider only humane justice, but also a sudden close-out sale of our planet. In an earlier age religious authorities denied that the earth revolves around the sun, nowadays management groups steered by lobbyists deny that an economic egoism is a depressing illness. Economy policy as in a egocentric, blind rage could tip over sometime and come fast to a precipice unpleasantly. Dying by the way is not painless. The global illness harbingers are homelessness, poverty, crime, terrorism, refugee misery (from Mexico to Morocco). The morphine of not to mention it -- is like ignoring hospital, if it is needed.

The blind following the blind?.......2003-05-06

To the gentleperson from Alaska (the state with the most to lose from Bush's environmental policy) who thinks that Communism is the only alternative to Capitalism:

* Famines in Cuba, Iraq, North Korea, Somalia caused by US economic sanctions.

* Countless (because the US propaganda machine will never reveal them) numbers executed by paramilitary goon squads propped up as "friendly" governments by the US.

* Famine in every age of Chinese history (blame God for the weather)

* Pointless wars of all kinds, in all regions through all ages because of the wanton hoarding of resources by the privileged few to control the non-privileged masses.

* All economic systems are inferior to capitalism from a capitalist's (rich person's) point of view. Capital-ism is without doubt the theoretical limit to economic theory. Creating money out of nothing for the sake of making more money is as far as you can go before (or after) hitting the wall of absurdity.

* Horrendous pollution in Delaware and New Jersey (can you TASTE the air in Alaska?).

* Our freedom is a product of our Democracy not our ecomomy.
Communism in China and Russia was not instituted by a majority of the population in a free election. More importantly we cannot force Democracy on foreign nations, they either rise up and take it like we did, or they suffer the slings and arrows of their outrageous fortune (not ours).

A welcome modern-day heretic speaks the truth.......2002-04-14

In an earlier age, religious authorities denied that the earth could revolve around the sun because this basic truth conflicted with and ultimately threatened the ruling power's value system. Today, the exalted prophets of the so-called "free market" refuse to acknowledge capitalism's destructive impacts to the environment and human health and welfare by claiming that its ill effects are external to the profit imperative and are consequently of little or no concern.

In this insightful book, author John McMurty challenges the conventional wisdom. By comparing unregulated global capitalism with the uncontrolled growth of a malignant tumor, McMurty alerts us to the "life" and "death" sequences of money investment that today's market champions are unable to see.

The growth imperative has always meant that capital must find new opportunities to grow in order to sustain itself. But the author suggests that we have entered a post-Marxist era because capital investments have been almost completely de-linked from any trace of productive investment. The modern capitalist imperative is simply to create more money for idle investors by any means possible.

This growth is often enabled by predation on the publicly-held resources that the author argues represents real value, thereby diminishing the community's ability to sustain itself in the long run. Forests are clear-cut; public utilities are privatized; social programs are gutted; and so on. The net result is that the quality of life for the vast majority of the world's citizens has declined.

On the other hand, the "death sequences" of armaments, tobacco, oil, chemical, and other dangerous products reward investors with high rates of return. Currency trading -- with its sometimes destablizing effect on national economies -- is also cited by the author as symptomatic of a culture that does not know how to properly "immune" itself from predatory capitalism: is it not unreasonable to tax currency trades to discourage excess and to compensate society for its ill effects?

Full of insight and powerful analysis, this book is recommended for people who are not afraid to re-examine their basic assumptions about capitalism and learn more about the possibly dangerous direction in which our society appears to be headed.

Another book for the blind.......2000-08-30

Karl Marx can be given one break - he didn't live to see the days his communist ideals would be put into action. The reviewer above and the author have no such excuses.

After a century we can now list the accomplishments of communism:

* Famine in the Soviet Union after collectivizing agriculture: millions dead

* Millions executed during Stalin's rule: 10 million dead

* Famine under Mao: 10 - 30 million dead

* Pointless civil wars death and suffering in dozens of countries in 5 continents to install communist regimes: millions dead

* An economic system that remained inferior to capitalist countries (in fact communist countries were losing even more ground to capitalist countries as years past) and kept a majority of people much less materially well off than their counterparts in capitalist nations - take North and South Korea; East and West Germany; China and Taiwan.

* Horrendeous pollution - National geographic did an expose on Siberia "the most polluted place on the planet"

* No freedom

Estimates range from 50 to 100 million dead and human suffering in the billions, oppression and destroyed ecosystems - what would you call this - EVIL - and what would you call people who support this - EVIL.

For all its shortcomings capitalism has helped rise millions to hire levels of economic well being. On economics alone capitalism for outstrips communism.

A must read examination of the effects of globalization........1999-07-25

Question: What's the difference between Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher, George Bush ... and Jack Kevorkian?

Answer: Those receiving death treatments aren't asked first. And one could add - the dying is not painless. Homelessness, poverty, pain, misery, and preventable sickness come first, and all in the name of 'market freedom.'

"The Cancer Stage of Capitalism" by Professor John McMurtry, Department of Philosophy, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, covers the history of "value programs" as well as the disciplinary methods which can either presuppose or expose them. (By a "value program" McMurtry means a locked set of unexamined principles which select against evidence which refutes it.) It is an anti-dote to the affectations of 'disciplinolatry,' and the global market wisdoms to which we are daily exposed. As a thoroughly knowledgeable examination of the economic and political determinants of the world system it provides a clear dissection of the root problems, causes and consequences for the world of globalization and neo-conservative policy. Its arguments are thorougly documented. (See also the companion: McMurtry, John, "The Global Market as an Ethical System," Toronto: Garamond, and Westport Connecticut: Kurmarian, 1998).

With a diagnostic kit-bag and an argument that is impossible to refute, this book is ideal for social consciousness raising! All those concerned with strengthening and maintaining their communities, (more generally their respective 'civil commons'), and with how to practically come to grips with the economic constitutions (e.g., NAFTA and MAI) that are being built to strengthen international corporate and financial power with consequences that weaken the life-sustaining civil commons, should read this book. Importantly, social activists and educators should make every effort to get this book into the hands of their representatives at all levels of government so they can be exactly apprised of the consequences of their actions on the citizens they ostensibly represent. With great effect McMurtry develops his argument using medical concepts which strikingly apply to social life-organization, and diagnoses a systemically life-threatening disease of social and environmental life-hosts.

Amongst other things, McMurtry updates Marx by extending the critique of capitalism to include what Marx (who lived in the heyday of the gold standard) did not and could not see -- the life-depredating logic of modern-day money-creation, debt finance and interest circuits. As well, McMurtry overcomes deficiencies in Garret Hardin's, "The Tragedy of the Commons," through a full development of the concept of the 'civil commons', by which he means socially regulated life-resources available to all members of the community (e.g., clean air and water, public education and health-care, and the regulation of money-creation itself).

Review by Dr. W. Robert Needham Director, Canadian Studies Program University of Waterloo Water;oo, Ontario

Book Description

The straightforward guide to surviving and thriving in law school

Every year more than 40,000 students enter law school and at any given moment there are over 125,000 law school students in the United States. Law school’s highly pressurized, super-competitive atmosphere often leaves students stressed out and confused, especially in their first year. Balancing life and schoolwork, passing the bar, and landing a job are challenges that students often need help facing. In Law School For Dummies, former law school student Rebecca Fae Greene uses straight talk, sound advice, and gentle humor to help students sort through the swamp of coursework and focus on what’s important–all while maintaining a life. She also offers rare insight on the law school experience for women, minorities, non-traditional, and non-Ivy League students.

Customer Reviews:

Nothing you probably didn't already know.......2006-10-10

I tend to agree with "PNC2007" on that this is a very generic book on law school admissions and survival. I'm not a law school student (yet) that's why I was looking for some information. Like many For Dummies books, the book tries to be humorous and claims to give you the "insider secrets," but there's really absolutely nothing "secret" about what the author dispenses in way of advice. Want to get into a good law school? She says you need a high LSAT score, a high GPA, a good essay, and good recommendations. Duh. Don't we already know this? I mean, if you didn't already know this, you really shouldn't be even thinking about attending law school. The author spends two or three chapters letting you in on some studying tips. You know what? These ain't tips; they just tell you to "do your homework; organize your studying schedules; study hard." Duh, again. If the message is that law school is really tough, you don't need a 350-page book peppered with bogus humor to learn that.

I really don't think anyone can benefit from this book, except the genuine high-strung types or the real "dummies." Even this law-education dummy finds the book for the most part useless.

Regal Legal Boook.......2005-09-13

John Ventura gives very strong and detailed information for many legal wheelings and dealings. He covers may situations the average person might find him/herself in, and the majority of this book is outstanding. The only problem is that I try to absorb all this knowledge, but it's so detailed that you have to read it more than once to keep it in your head.

Good read, but should look into other topics..........2005-06-19

This book was a good read. It will help calm your nerves before entering the first year of law school. Law 101 was also and excellent book. However, in retrospect, I would concentrate on learning about getting a job (resumes, interviewing, cover letters.) You will be expected start this right around finals time of your first semester. Most people were worried about their first finals and got a late start on this. It is easy to fall behind and once you are there it is difficult to catch up. Most people found that the job search was last on the priority list until after first year classes were over. You will be well ahead of the game if you are prepared for a job search. It will allow you to concentrate more on studying. While the first sumeer jobs aren't crucial they can provide good experience for landing second summer jobs. Also, reading about different law specialties is a good idea. You don't have to know what you want to do going into law school but the sooner you have a direction the better.

Read this book if you're discouraged about law school.......2004-12-23

I just finished my 1L semester, and my grades are starting to trickle in. So far, not so good. But I'm vowing to do better next semester, and I felt this book was very helpful in helping me see what exactly my mistakes were this semester. I bought this book a few days ago, on the recommendation of some 1Ls in my class, because unlike some of these other reviewers, my school's professors do not take the time to explain how to succeed in law school or how to study. Nor am I very friendly with any 2 or 3Ls who could provide me with this information. The reason I picked up this book is because I wanted a thorough and well-spelled out discussion of what exactly law school is all about, since I didn't do much reading on the topic before I started school in the fall. I've read other Dummies books, and felt this one was overall better organized and more thorough than those I've read in the past. I'm making up for lost time now on my winter break by learning more about how to be a better 1L, and I was very satisfied and pleased with this book. I strongly feel I'll be a better student because of it.

I recommend this book highly because I got a great overview of what I need to do better next semester in order to boost my law school GPA (which right now is hovering close to a 2.7). The chapter on "Making the Most of Your Study Time" helped me realize what really should go in an outline and what should not--after reading this chapter I realized I went about my outline all wrong--again, because no one really took the time to sit down with me and explain it all. And the chapter on "Thinking and Talking Like a Lawyer" summed up into words what I couldn't quite put my finger on about law school over the past three and a half months: what exactly the new method of thinking that you're supposed to learn in law school is all about. Up until this book helped elucidate this concept for me, I realized that I really wasn't "getting" what I was supposed to out of the Socratic Method. Now I feel a little more clued in.

This book was full of good tips, such as making me realize that in order to be competitive for summer clerkships, you need to get your cover letters in to the largest and most competitive firms by Christmastime. If it weren't for this book, I wouldn't have known that, because my career services office really doesn't do a good job of letting students know important facts like this. I also appreciated the chapter on "landing your perfect summer job" because it explained what exactly the monetary and prestige differences, among others, are between the large firms and small firms. Perhaps most of all, this book made me feel appreciated. More specifically, I liked the way this book, unlike others I've read, didn't try to sell you on the large firm as the only option for your summer job (or career.) Similarly, this book also did a great job of not trying to sell you on the idea that the law review is a make-or-break-your-legal-career move. See the "Getting Involved in Law School" chapter for reassurance that it's perfectly okay not to end up making the law review, or even wanting to, because there are other valuable EC's out there. I also learned from this chapter that it can be more important to find EC's that are a good fit for your future career plans than to just blindly assume that the law review is the end-all-be-all. That's one aspect that really annoyed me about other law school guidebooks I read--the subtle or not-so-subtle theme that you must be in the top 10% of your class, on law review, and a summer associate at a big-name firm to "make it" as a lawyer. I appreciated the fact that Greene's book didn't make these assumptions, and liked the way non-traditional uses of the J.D. were thoroughly explored (see the Considering Alternative Legal Careers chapter) unlike other books, which just gives a nod to this equally valid way of using your J.D.

As per the Dummies tradition, this book spells things out for you, and many intelligent and hard-working students, like myself, need that. My recommendation for other law students is to read this book to get a good overview of law school and to help you better find your place when you're lost. I think other law school guidebooks can also valuable, but if you're looking for a more user-friendly guide, and one that has a more liberal tone than the other much more conservative law school books I've read, then look to this book to once and for all finally understand what law school is all about and your place in it.

Generic overview of law school .......2004-12-19

I wasn't impressed by this book at all. After my first semester in LS, everything this author suggests the law professors and 2Ls and 3Ls will tell you. I mean, it is a quick and easy read, but it's a waste of money. I bought the book after reading the 5 star recs here and I was mad at everyone who said it was worth something once I finished it. I would recommend, Law School Confidential, and Planet Law School II. Unless you have a whole bunch of extra time and money lying around, skip this book!

Average customer rating:

Good introductory prep
Too many typos
Helpful, but a more indepth prep is needed
great for an anxious test-taker
Don't Buy This Book

LSAT For Dummies
Amy Hackney Blackwell
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ASIN: 076457194X

Book Description

If you want to be a lawyer, you have to go to law school. And if you want to go to law school, you have to take the LSAT, the standardized test required for all applicants. Though the LSAT is not the most difficult test in the world, it’s also not a walk in the park.

LSAT For Dummies is the ultimate LSAT study guide that shows you how to approach it, tame it, and make it one of the best credentials on your application. Written in a straightforward, down-to-earth format, this hands-on guide will give you the skills and confidence you need to succeed. You’ll gain the vital tools you need to:

Understand the reasoning behind analytical reasoning
Get a handle on logical reasoning
Discover the patterns of reasoning questions
Work your way out of answer discrepancies
Read and understand reading comprehension
Flaunt your talent in the writing section
Figure out what admissions officers are really looking for
Plan you LSAT test-taking tactics

Featured in this must-have guide are plenty of sample problems and solutions for you to take practice swings at, along with two real, full-length LSAT exams. It also provides tried-and-true test-taking tips, common myths about the LSAT, and profiles of the different kinds of law you can practice. With LSAT For Dummies, you’ll find the fun and easy way to score your best and get into the law school of your choice!

Customer Reviews:

Good introductory prep.......2007-01-23

I thought this was a nice intro prep book, but you will definitely want to buy the LSAT prep book with the actual tests to practice. I really like the simple tips, and the simple breakdown of how to approach the questions without saturating you with too much info. I think the best application is to start with this to get comfortable with how to approach the questions, and then practice using the real LSAT tests. I also appreciated the calming tone the author had. Instead of getting you all jacked up about how hard the test is and how much you have to study, she seemed a lot more practical.

Too many typos.......2006-08-09

This book is wrought with typos. It makes me wonder: If there are so many problems I can already see, how many are there that I can't see (e.g. Questions unlike those you will see on the real LSAT, flawed reasoning, incomplete information, etc). Stay away...

Helpful, but a more indepth prep is needed.......2006-04-20

This was the first test prep book I used. I just finished it over the weekend. I will certainly have to buy a more indepth book to continue my preparation. The logic games section has good tips, but the book and this section in particular, is just too short.

great for an anxious test-taker.......2006-03-23

This book made reviewing for the LSAT easy. I suggest getting a few different LSAT prep books and also a bunch of real tests. Some books are better than others, and this one is a really good overall view of the test and strategies. I think this one and the Arco book are good. I also foudn NOVA's to be good. Kaplan and PR were waaaay too basic and was mostly annoying filler.

Well, i see lots of people have different ideas about books, so the best thing to do is to try out a bunch and see what works for you. I found this one really good in the AR section and RC sections. Also a good strategy for applying and getting into law schools in general. Two thumbs up.

Don't Buy This Book.......2006-03-18

I do not recommend this book. There are many errors in both the reasoning and answers to problems. You can't seriously study using a flawed textbook such as this. The explanations for Analytical Reasoning were very confusing and too brief. If you need a good LSAT prep book, I recommend the Princeton Review book. This book was very bad. It frustrated more than it helped.

Average customer rating:

The LSAT for Dummies
Suzee Vlk
Manufacturer: For Dummies
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Education | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Book Description

Are you ready to fly the corporate coop and become the boss of you? Do you dream of busting out of the cubicle wasteland and finding greener pastures as a freelancer? If so, you’re in good company. The U S Department of Labor estimates that nearly one-fourth of the American workforce is self-employed and that number is sure to increase over the next decade. But do you have what it takes to succeed as a freelancer, consultant, or contract employee? Do you even know what it takes to make it on your own? Here’s your chance to find out.

A total guide to starting and running a freelance business, Freelancing For Dummies is for anyone thinking about striking out on their own, or who’s already decided to make the move into self-employment. It’s also an excellent resource for established freelancers looking for ways to jumpstart their businesses. Written by a top corporate communication consultant, it features hard-won tips from a slew of successful freelancers, including an accountant, a wr iter, a computer trainer, a graphic designer, a market researcher, an event planner, a medical trainer and others who share what they know about how to:

Organize your home office and budget your time
Create the ideal working environment
Evaluate jobs and projects
Land new business and manage client relationships
Manage your money and pay your taxes
Stay positive and manage the emotional uncertainties of self-employment

Here’s your chance to take the leap from employee to boss with minimal stress and minimal sweat. A survival guide to building a successful freelance career, Freelancing For Dummies features:

Self-assessments to gauge your skills and personality
Critical “Get in, get out” information
A gold mine of checklists, tear-out sheets, and sample forms
Top ten lists
War stories from freelancers who’ve made it

Do you long for the freedom of being your own boss? Relax and let expert Susan Drake help you make the transition to becoming a fulltime freelancer.

Customer Reviews:

Easy Read.......2007-06-01

It may sound quitchy, but man, these for dummies books are packed full of information, easy to read and sometimes downright funny.

Another stellar resource from Hungry Minds, Inc.

Should be "Freelance WRITING for Dummies".......2005-02-26

That's what the author is and that's the perspective she writes from. Which is fine with me, because that's what I'm looking to do.

For freelance biz writers, this is a good one-stop-shopping kind of book. I've seen plenty of freelance writing books, and this really addressed my needs transitioning from staff writer at a software company to contractor to freelancer. Too many of these books are all about breaking into magazines (VERY tough to do) or start off by suggesting that all you need to do is just open the Rolodex from your old job and start phoning those CEOs you know. Easy! Others have an aggressive, in-your-face "gonzo" approach to marketing that can be profitable or off=putting. If you're not comfotable with that style, it'll also be UNprofitable.

By contrast, I *like* the upbeat tone, professional tone of this book. I'm tired of all the negativity in freelance books of the "why you'll likely fail" variety. Nobody ever succeeded at something by believing from the outset that they would fail. And with so many others around us willing to say that, who needs a book to say it? The book covers that ground quickly and then gets on with it.

Much of the focus - such as setting up a comfortable work environment and tracking your billable hours - is really targeted to writers and others whose work is mainly sedentary and likely at home. If this doesn't describe you, you may find the book a little frustrating.

I'm just getting started in freelancing from contracting for others, but I found the information in it to be detailed, thorough and accessible. Besides "Freelancing for Dummies," I like Peter Bowerman's books ("The Well-Fed Writer" and "Back for Seconds") a lot, too, on the subject. By contrast, Bowerman skipped the whole "write a business plan" thing. If you're looking to go into freelance writing, these 3 books should be enough to get you off to a good start.

Ego-Stroking For Dummies.......2004-07-12

"Shiny, happy people wheeling deals" should be the sub-title for this book. The profession of freelancing is for the go getting, self-imaging, assertive (most times aggressive) dynamo. Drake's book failed to include this brief but crucial bit of information in Freelancing for Dummies.

Drake does a wonderful job empowering the reader, then again so does Maxwell in The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader. Both books, although I am sure they sell wonderfully as they are corporate products, are not grounded. Drake should have addressed all of her audiences, not just her likeminded Type-A personality readers.

Some of the contents such as setting rates, collecting fees and paying taxes are needed. However, sections on how to set up one's chair are not. And, the chapter on building an extended staff is, again, assuming that the reader is either an egomaniac with the knowledge to boot, or a former corporate executive.

If you are full of yourself and can't wait to tackle the world with your own business, this is the book for you. If you are a little more on the average side, I suggest you read Sorenson's Power Freelancing. Good luck!

You want a freelancing business? This is THE BOOK!.......2004-06-05

Frankly, Susan M. Drake has written extremely well. With 8 years of freelancing experience behind me, I can only nod my head and agree with her with every turn of the page.

Written in a very simple manner and easily understood...no fanfare, no big words, just facts.

She covered almost everything there is to cover for the topic of freelancing and you know what? It REALLY is a book for dummies.

Same Old Stuff.......2003-07-29

First let me say this: If you are a new "Freelancing for Dummies" will be helpful in putting you on path to getting published. But I do wish the author had put MORE into it, in terms of material that hasn't been seen elsewhere.

I also find the author to be overly optimistic, and writing from the viewpoint of someone who has dipped in and out of the profession, and most likely has an alternate means of support. Then, too, the author tries to cover too much, and leaves this reader wondering whether she is addressing those new to writing for publication, or published writers who want to take a shot at writing for a living. (To be fair to Ms. Drake, one or more editors may have had too heavy a hand in the mix.)

The bottom line: Don't ignore this title, but if you've read more than one other book for beginning freelancers you may do better to pick up some books for more advanced writers, and/or genre- or field-specific writing.

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