How to be Idle and Umberto Eco

I came across Umberto Eco, an Italian author, through a book called Faith in Fakes recently. He has a different style and the content is very interesting too. Probably Italian translated into English. Essays on many things like real art versus fake or proxy art, the view that all spectator sport is a waste of time (unlike individuals playing something for health, fun, etc.), and a lot of other intellectual discussions abound in this book. An interesting idea is that people congregate at events like talks, lectures, not for the speaker/entertainer, but to "do it" as an in thing, to be a part of a whole- hope I am conveying this correctly. (classes at IIM Indore excluded!)

Another good book I just started on is "How to be Idle". This has a take off on Einstein and his anti-idling ways- if he hadn't invented the light bulb, life would have been simpler and stress-free. We would all have slept at night and worked in the daytime, according to the author. Many more gems like this in it. An interesting and hilarious read.

No comments:

Conquering Gwalior

 Forts are meant to be conquered, and this one changed hands many times, from Qutbuddin Aibak to the Mughals, British and Marathas. Gwalior,...

These Were Liked a Lot