Anarkia = Evoluutio - Usko, Tiede Ja Bad Religion (2010) - Plot & Excerpts
Well that was a bit of a slog. Full disclosure: l know nothing about Bad Religion, I'm not convinced I've even ever heard one of their tracks. Even so, a good friend lent me this knowing my weakness for music related books and I was certainly intrigued by the fact that Graffin is as much scientist as less singer.I do like the concept of this book, a brave attempt to explain Graffin's worldview and tie it in with his rock star life but I'm afraid the science left me cold. That said, no one would ever confuse me with a scientific man so it may well be more my problem that I found myself at best skim reading the discourses on evolution.It worked better for me when Graffin applied his views on evolution to his own home life rather than his rock n roll life which frankly seemed a little forcedOverall I was left with the impression that Graffin is far more comfortable writing about his passion for science than his life as less singer which is not necessarily a bad thing but did leave me with the impression that the unrest fusion of science polemic and life on the road might have been at the behest of the publishers This book is fantastic. PhD of Evolutionary Sciences and Zoology and front man of internationally renowned punk rock band Bad Religion, Greg Graffin uses his advanced level of diction and scientific knowledge to craft Anarchy Evolution. In one part, a memoir of the perfect punk upbringing -- L.A. 1979, Teenager fresh out of Wisconsin, used to party beverages being known as sodas, is exposed to the anarchic side of society, the budding musical and social revolution known as Punk Rock. Young Graffin falls head over heels and begins to find his identity as a punk, despite the beatings he will endure from opponents to the movement. Now, flash forward. The Los Angeles street kid is now in College on an expedition in the Bolivian sector of the Amazon Rainforest collecting samples for a museum curator. He is enjoying the sampling but feels entirely disconnected from the other scientists, who seem only concerned with their own agendas. This experience will stick. (This is in no structural order to the book)In the present, Graffin has an immense knowledge of evolution and has been experiencing the life of punk rock for over thirty years. He has two primary concerns in life. One is the overshadowing of naturalistic genuinity from the opponents to evolution, creationists. He does not condone the belief in god, but begins to fear the idea that an all powerful being insists a strict code of conduct on many human beings -- the complete opposite of everything he stands for as a loyal soldier of punk and individuality. His next concern is the disconnection of the human race.
What do You think about Anarkia = Evoluutio - Usko, Tiede Ja Bad Religion (2010)?
Love Love Love this book...As a long time fan of Bad Religion I could not wait to get my hands on this book...It did not disappoint. I was fascinated by the back story and personal content of the singer of one of the worlds greatest punk bands. I was equally excited to devour not only the religious information but the science as well. This book is the perfect mix. It not only has given me a better understanding of different religious views, but I will never look at the natural world around me quite the same way again.
—RenataJ
I love punk rock, evolution and I'm an atheist so you'd think I'd have loved this. Unfortunately, it seems to be written for clueless teenagers. I can't say I'd have loved it even back then, as I was pretty keen to pick up when I was being talked down to. The parts about the old days of being a punk in LA were pretty great, though. He rubbed elbows with some infamous characters in some pretty crazy situations. Overall, disappointing.
—c3beme
Great book with a naturalist world view that is cause for pause.
—Brianna
