James Yu > Recent Status Updates

This shit rocks. V different to what I normally read but still a top-notch plot

Russia in Crimea section completed. There is a surprising amount of political hubris towards the end of the Obama administration re: Russia sanctions, all predicated on the assumption that Obama-era Russia policy would continue. This was obviously not the case as Trump won in 2016, but the assumption that Hillary would win, even in face of evidence of Russian interference, was reckless at best.

Just finished the section on the Iran sanctions. The policies rolled out by the Obama administration appear to have been incredibly precise in targeting the finances of the Iranian regime and bringing them to the negotiating table.

One point: the author fails to emphasise how revolutionary this policymaking was. This will continue to impact foreign policy for the foreseeable future - make no mistake about it

Too much historical context. Tim Marshall is a nerd and needs to lock in

Book stolen by some thieves along with my backpack but it has been retrieved.

The present chapter on labour economics and unemployment reminds us that it is fundamentally humans that create, shape, and change an economy. It is their hard work, their ingenuity, their needs and wants, their norms and behaviours, and their physical condition and environment that determine the nature and direction of an economy.

It’s solid

Not bad. Got to the bit about the Russian financial crisis now

I have lost my copy and do not intend to get a new one

I have lost my copy

It’s certainly interesting and I can see why many people thoroughly enjoy this book; however, Dr Tyson’s flowery writing style and habit of leaping back and forth between ideas without a methodical transition gets a little confusing, especially as this is a book introducing astrophysics to people who aren’t already well-versed in these topics.

It’s pretty good!