Post: #1

Just finished chapter one after getting the sample from Amazon.

So far, so good. Packed to the brim with references. The problem is discerning good from bad sources. General, macro-level data does seem to have relevance. I am looking forward to finishing this and synthesizing the information.

Post: #2

It read like one 300 page whinge. Sure, there's not much to argue with, but it's not a very productive read.

Post: #3

On chapter 3.

Clearly, he's got loads of case-studies. But I'd like to see some broader statistics since it's hard to infer causal relationships. Alberto Alesina at Harvard has done some research on the pros and cons of diversity and it's absolutely clear diversity is more a weakness than strength. I'm all about diversity when it comes to culture and languages. The palette of human societies just makes the world a far more exciting place for anyone with a love of exploring. The problem seems to arise when you encourage large-scale migration, since ethnic tension seems to be a function of the intensity of exposure. This will inevitably lead to bloody conflict. A great example of this is the Islamic push-back against growing Western influence in their countries, described by Bernard Lewis in his easily read and excellent book, What Went Wrong.