Posted by Doug E. Reader, a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood, on Apr 11, 2010 at 7:42 am

A friend saw Bowen speak at Keplers and loved him. I got the book and am almost halfway through it. I love it. The reviewer is right that its laugh out loud funny and I have learned quite a bit along the way. This all completely overturns the annoyance I felt by philosophy when I took it in college. A friend who's reading the book and I have already had quite a few discussions about ideas from this book. Every now and then, Bowen startles you with an idea that you don't like and you have to pause for a moment. But most often, he jolts you with an idea that you love and have never thought and then makes you laugh. Great review.

Posted by Walter_E_Wallis, a resident of the Midtown neighborhood, on Apr 11, 2010 at 11:43 am
Walter_E_Wallis is a member (registered user) of Palo Alto Online

Explaining a pun to someone is demeaning.

Posted by Attay, a resident of the Old Palo Alto neighborhood, on Apr 12, 2010 at 7:02 am

Having a pun or aphorism explained that you don't understand or know the meaning of, on the other hand, can be quite fun and eye-opening if done in the right way.

Posted by Walter_E_Wallis, a resident of the Midtown neighborhood, on Apr 12, 2010 at 10:26 am
Walter_E_Wallis is a member (registered user) of Palo Alto Online

If it ever happens...

Posted by Attay, a resident of the Old Palo Alto neighborhood, on Apr 16, 2010 at 8:15 am

That's just the point--you don't want to make overt generalizations. Sometimes, "enlightening" someone can be demeaning and sometimes it involves thoughtful discourse. This book, I must say as I'm about two thirds through it, is much more the latter and funny while he's at it.