Post by gracefons on Aug 9, 2011 21:43:22 GMT -5
While Barbara Ehrenreich probably meant to harm in undergoing her experiment to see what it's really like to live low class, I think it was quite offensive. The plot was very interesting, don't get me wrong, but coming from someone who isn't exactly high class or wealthy, I didn't like it. No, it was not the most boring book I've ever read. In fact, it was probably one of the better summer reading books I have ever had too read. But if I were a person living in such poor economic conditions, I might be a tad offended if some random rich and well educated woman thought it'd be fun to try and live my rough and depressing lifestyle. Indeed, the book was enlightening but all around weird. In some senses, I wish it would have had more of an in depth plot. While it was eventful and somewhat exciting at times, it became a little tedious and boring at other times because nothing was really going on in some of the cities she lived or places she worked.
Although "Nickel And Dimed" was not my favorite book as I have previously stated, I will admit it was enlightening at times. Ehrenreich wrote on page 199 in the book, "When the rich and the poor compete for housing on the open market, the poor don't stand a chance." This is nothing but really eye opening to me. While it was already a known fact and something I already had previous knowledge of in the back of my head, it is not exactly easy to hear, or see. There is roughly 43.6 million Americans living in absolute poverty. With that fact, there is an estimated 40% currently falling below the poverty line at some point. "Nickel And Dimed" was enlightening, don't get me wrong. My dislike might have issued from a bias toward negativity. I don't exactly watch the news or read the newspapers or any form of world media due to the fact that there are slim to none positive things that are said. I'm an optimistic person so I like to see optimism, read optimism, be around optimism, and take in optimism as much as I can, where ever I go. The news doesn't supply me with enough of that and, instead, it has a tendency to focus on the negativity and so did "Nickel And Dimed."
However, as negative as I am toward "Nickel And Dimed", I would not be completely against attempting a similar experience or project. I assume that makes me somewhat of a hypocrite or that I can "Talk the talk but not walk the walk." if I wanted to throw in a nifty little catch phrase. The empathy in "Nickel And Dimed" is in some ways intriguing. I would probably never in my life have the self esteem, work ethic, dedication, or guts to go out on my own and do what Barbara Ehrenreich did. And but not only go through such an experience, but to write a novel on it as well. It can easily be seen as inspiring and motivational which is a positive outcome. But the book also left me feeling grateful for the life I currently have.
Although "Nickel And Dimed" was not my favorite book as I have previously stated, I will admit it was enlightening at times. Ehrenreich wrote on page 199 in the book, "When the rich and the poor compete for housing on the open market, the poor don't stand a chance." This is nothing but really eye opening to me. While it was already a known fact and something I already had previous knowledge of in the back of my head, it is not exactly easy to hear, or see. There is roughly 43.6 million Americans living in absolute poverty. With that fact, there is an estimated 40% currently falling below the poverty line at some point. "Nickel And Dimed" was enlightening, don't get me wrong. My dislike might have issued from a bias toward negativity. I don't exactly watch the news or read the newspapers or any form of world media due to the fact that there are slim to none positive things that are said. I'm an optimistic person so I like to see optimism, read optimism, be around optimism, and take in optimism as much as I can, where ever I go. The news doesn't supply me with enough of that and, instead, it has a tendency to focus on the negativity and so did "Nickel And Dimed."
However, as negative as I am toward "Nickel And Dimed", I would not be completely against attempting a similar experience or project. I assume that makes me somewhat of a hypocrite or that I can "Talk the talk but not walk the walk." if I wanted to throw in a nifty little catch phrase. The empathy in "Nickel And Dimed" is in some ways intriguing. I would probably never in my life have the self esteem, work ethic, dedication, or guts to go out on my own and do what Barbara Ehrenreich did. And but not only go through such an experience, but to write a novel on it as well. It can easily be seen as inspiring and motivational which is a positive outcome. But the book also left me feeling grateful for the life I currently have.