Book Review | The Psychopath Test, Jon Ronson

[@em_harring]

Oh, that sounds super interesting, too! I will have to check them out the next time I go to the library. (:

[@yikesabandofficial]

I absolutely love your reviews. I think Caleab and I are going to try our hand at our first ever review and it terrifies me. Why? I really don't know why. I can go on camera and talk myself hoarse but the thought of reviewing something gives me the willies. You do it so well!

[@rinceyreads]

I want to read this so so badly. It is definitely on my must-read list.

[@NaiveReads]

Thumbs up! Brilliant review. I am craving to read this one right now. Really. I have always been super interested into phsicological (ab)normalities. Not to mention that I LOVE movies related into this field. Clockwork orange, on my top 10 list. By the way, great ending.

[@foolishoats]

I can't wait to hear what you think!

[@foolishoats]

I used an app called Catch for many things, but it's super helpful for my videos! I use a lot of jump cuts anyway, since I'm a moron and make dumb mistakes, but it has come in handy when I have notes on what I want to say but can't memorize/don't want to read it directly from my notes. I'll glance at my phone, and either be able to riff off some ideas, or just recite what I've said. It's really helped me out! I used to use Google Drive but Catch is prettier and made for your phone anyway ;)

[@DerekMcDowBooks]

The Psychopath Test generated a lot of buzz on its release. I'm a HUGE fan of This American Life and they did a story on it (episode 436)--all the audiologs are archived on their sight if you're interested in checking it out! There's also a great documentary that compares corporations to psychopaths, called Corporation. I'm not sure if you're into that but I really liked it. :)

[@chboskyy]

Excellent review - I've wanted to read this for a while!

[@JasonPurcell]

I love your reviews and I love you. I've wanted to read this book for so long, a friend and I read excerpts to each other at work once, and your review is relighting that fire. Can we take time off forever and just read books? I love what you said about Ronson's writing style. That is so important and good to know! Also a relief to know that if I'm reading this book and begin to worry I'm a psychopath, I'm probably not one. That is something I would worry. I love you and I miss you.

[@foolishoats]

Glad to hear it!! I don't think you'll be disappointed :)

[@anawkwardreader]

This sounds super super fascinating! I've been wanting to read this for a while and don't know why I haven't yet. I'm simultaneously scared of and intrigued by psychopaths, so I guess I've been stuck in a limbo between wanting to forget they exist and wanting to know everything about them in some kind of preparation.

[@foolishoats]

Have you read it? For those who haven't: There is an entire Notes section in the back of Ronson's book to provide further research, information, & sources. I'll check out the link, but the book hardly trivializes anything. He puts faces, real people, on a pathological condition. As a member of society & reader, this is far more convincing information than "Test Subject B." Humanizing any psychological condition, illness, or state is a huge missing link for the social implications of tolerance.

[@foolishoats]

I really hope you do! I had been eyeing it in stores for ages, and then I finally picked it up from the library after seeing Karate's video on Jon Ronson. He is a superb author! I really want to read 'Them' now! He goes and finds the most fascinating people (for better or for worse!)

[@em_harring]

That sounds super interesting! I've been meaning to read more nonfiction, so I might have to give this one a try. (:

[@LauraKadner]

This sounds awesome - especially since I've been looking into buying some old abnormal psychology books. This might be a good jumping off point!

[@foolishoats]

I don't want to give anything away! This is something Ronson discusses throughout the book. He provides his own findings and a context, but part of it is left up to interpretation. Which makes it more interesting ;) I bet there could be a whole other book to find out how some psychopaths land in prison (besides the whole murder-in-cold-blood thing) versus the top of the corporate food chain! I'm leaning towards environments: if you're born into a wealthy family versus a destitute one?

[@foolishoats]

I'm really not! I think the timing worked out for the last couple of books I've read ;) I think you'd enjoy it!

[@foolishoats]

Hey! Yes I have heard of the Corporation, I just keep putting it off haha. It's on the top of my to-watch list! Ohhh, I'll have to check out the audiologs, I'm not familiar with This American Life (I am le Canadian) so thanks for yet another awesome recommendation! :)

[@foolishoats]

Isn't it? I kept seeing it in stores and wanting to pick it up solely because of the cover. For some reason that seemed like a Bad Idea so I avoided it for a little while. Then Karate did a review on his book Lost at Sea and sold me on it ;)

[@foolishoats]

I totally understand! Talking about yourself can be challenging, but ultimately it's your own reputation you're dealing with. Any kind of review means you're critiquing someone who put their heart and soul (hopefully) out into the world. Even if you don't like the finished product, it's important to be respectful! So far I've only reviewed things that I've liked, and I have a natural urge to sell things I believe in to other people. It's definitely not easy! But so fun :D Thank you!

[@emilytreads]

This actually sounds like a book I would like!

[@Bookspine5]

The Men Who Stare At Goat was a funny novel. Another fun read is Horrostor by Grady Hendrix

[@Bookspine5]

Beating up a homeless man. Gosh that is low. Reminds me of an incident I heard from outside of my window (because it woke me up). One of my neighbors who is homeless who lives on-and-off with a relative was harassed because he was digging for cans in our dumpster. Some dude walked near him and said ¨Excuse me you f***ing animal¨, and kicked my neighbors little pile of collected cans. That is messed up. Anyways, The Psychopath Test sounds like a good read and will go on the list. I also need to read Catch 22.

[@foolishoats]

Read it! Read it now! You're missingggg iiiiiiiitttt!

[@foolishoats]

I feel the same way! But it's really not scary, Jon Ronson holds your hand every step of the way!!!

[@foolishoats]

Same! I have the same human fascination everyone else does with crime and criminal psychology, but if anything seems too real or scary (ie Ted Bundy biography) I always steer clear. But this is just delightful!!

[@foolishoats]

Thank you!! You should read it, he has such a charming way of writing. I bet he could write an essay on meeting you for coffee and talking about your forehead or something. His way of looking at the world is so perfect for a journalist! He references this journalistic perspective in the book, too :) Check it out! And then do a review ;) I want to see how you like it!

[@foolishoats]

Ahhh, thank you! Well what are you waiting for!? ;)

[@foolishoats]

I was totally worried about it, too! We're all just trying to self-diagnose, hahaha. I hope you pick it up, I found it to be a very quick read. Love you and miss you too, thanks for your email

[@foolishoats]

It really was awesome! Like I said, I'm not really into the dark, seedy side of psychology. It totally fascinates me but it's actually so scary hahaha, I found this to be such an accessible, humanizing read!

[@foolishoats]

I want to see your review!!! Hahaha he's friggin hilarious! How can he keep his shit together, though!? Srsly. I need to get in on that discussion RE rating systems. Rincey & Susheela and others have done videos on it, and I agree with everyone else. They are good on their own (this book is a 3!) but when you're reading more than 1 book, it's like "oh but that's a FICTION 3!" or "yeah but it's a 5 because I love Fforde!" Are you gonna make a vid response to that debate?