I think we're about ready
.
It seems like our early writhings are complete. The people who for sure are members are:
Calum McCarty
Citizen Penrose
Demien Pacheco
Eremolalos
Ethan Edwards
Liam Smith
Rolaran
TM
There were 2 other people who were present in our early exchanges but who seem not to have subscribed to this substack: drosophilist and julius. I’ve left them each posts asking them to subscribe here, and either they will or they won’t. Either way, seems like we’re all set up.
Everyone, or maybe just most everyone, was in favor of making the 2 late joiners, TM and Calum McCarty, be the last new members, so that’s settled. There was a scheme mentioned for trying to keep this substack private, but it was a bit convoluted and I’d vote for simplicity. If there are any new people who sign up, we can just make clear to them that they can participate in discussing reviews if they like, but can’t submit reviews to be discussed.
So it seems like just a few things remain to be set up, then we will be ready to start. We need to put the reviews in sequence. Also, would be good to have the name of the book everyone is reviewing. I know a few of you have already stated what your book is, but can you all do it again, here? The earlier info is scattered here and there on 3 ACX threads. I’d be happy to randomly order the reviews and post an sequenced list. Liam Smith and I both are determined to edit our reviews before they are read, so neither of us want to go first. Does anyone else have a request about their place in the order?
Also I think it would be good to talk about what guidelines we will have for civility. Is true, necessary and kind enough? (I have really never understood necessary. When is it ever necessary to tell somebody something, except when, like, their pants are on fire and they don’t know it?). Also might be good to have review authors tell readers in advance what kind of feedback they most want. Do you want us to comment on the clarity, etc. of your writing? Or are you more interested in having a good discussion of the reviewed book itself?
Is there anything else people think we should talk over?
My review was for Bullshit Jobs, but I've revised it a bit since the version on the big google doc with all the reviews. revised version:
https://claycubeomnibus.substack.com/p/bullshit-jobs-review
Like Liam said below, my main goal is to improve my writing, so I'm happy for people to be critical. Anytime they felt bored/annoyed/unconvinced by my review, I'd like to know.
Maybe people could list a few suggestions of things they'd like feedback on specifically before their review goes up.
Hey, I was invited early on but seem to have been missed, am I right to join?
I did The Design of Everyday Things review.
Personally I'm mostly interested in discussion on the ideas presented in the book/review itself, but I'd also like to ask commenters if they can identify the reason/s why it wasn't picked as a finalist. The finalists do seem higher quality to me, but I'd like help in pinpointing exactly why.