Recommendation 1 from ‘The Philosopher’s Beard’
Article Name:Holding tyrants personally accountable
Blog
Rather than focusing on inter-national action (i.e. sanctions against and invasions of the country where a tyrant holds power), this option personalises the problem and the solution of tyranny.
Summary:
The Philosopher’s Beard is my favorite philosophy blog and the reason for that is pretty obvious: the quality of writing. I love to read the opinions of this man, though I may not agree with them all. The wisdom he brings to the table is immense and the analysis is the kinds you require for cracking CAT/GRE/GMAT RCs.
Learn Words from the article:
Atrocity: The quality of being shockingly cruel and inhumane
Exacerbated: Make worse
Manifestly: Unmistakably (‘plain’ is often used informally for ‘plainly’)
Outrage: A feeling of righteous anger
Tyrant: A cruel and oppressive dictator
Recommendation 2 from ‘National Review Online’
Article Name:On punctuality
By: Kevin D. Williamson
Wasting somebody else’s time is a great sin ; wasting one’s own time is a different matter.
Summary:
This is a strange article. The author writes and writes extensively on the subject of punctuality. The author is an absolute fanatic when it comes to time keeping and he analyzes everyone with the same lens. His take on New Yorkers seems to be a little far-fetched but the article offers good practice for RC prep, as the subject offers diversity.
Learn Words from the article:
Pathos: A quality that arouses emotions (especially pity or sorrow)
Blithely: In a joyous manner
Belied: Be in contradiction with
Recommendation 3 from ‘The Economist’
Article Name:In praise of Laziness
Magazine Article
Business people would be better off if they did less and thought more
Summary:
Wow, an article that extols us to be lazy! Perfect one, isn’t it? Well, the article is more about business people and how they tend to spend most of their time, rather wastefully, in meetings etc. Good read, good thoughts (I definitely agree with him), and loved the term “meeting sickness”. Overall, another different sort of article to be featured in this section..
Learn Words from the article:
Devourer: Someone who eats greedily or voraciously
Extolled: Praise, glorify, or honor
Morass: A soft wet area of low-lying land that sinks underfoot
Treadmill: A job involving drudgery and confinement
