How to rule the world (2018) by Tibor Fischer

 On 11 February 2021 we met on Zoom (in a lockdown stylee) to discuss Keith’s choices….

*Theme: Power Corruption and Lies*

Reading: How To Rule The World (2018) by Tibor Fischer

Listening: Power Corruption and Lies by New Order

Watching: Deep Fakes: Can You Trust Your Eyes? - All 4

How to rule the world (2018) by Tibor Fischer

Keith had never heard of Tibor Fischer and felt there were plenty of cynical, bitter laughs via his satirical target Vizz, a multinational multimedia operation. 

Nigel was excited to reacquaint himself with Tibor’s work. How to Rule the World is an energetic, world weary, angry first person narration by Baxter, a disaffected TV documentary maker which makes for a surprisingly engrossing novel. A somewhat incoherent satirical novel is full of amusing one liners, interesting insights, colourful characters, and all against a global backdrop.

Nick was less impressed and felt this was a bit underwhelming, despite really enjoying Under the Frog (1993) and The Thought Gang (1994)

Roland dubbed it “a mid life crisis” novel and dismissed it as poor, superficial, boring and felt it was a waste of time

Hamish thought it was both readable and funny. Full of great ideas and also very funny. The book’s weakness was the lack of a decent story but did that really matter? Ultimately Hamish concluded probably not. Tibor Fischer has lost none of his insight, creativity and comedic abilities since his Booker-shortlisted debut Under the Frog (1992) broke through almost three decades ago.

Robin pondered the process by which writers get published given that How to Rule the World is a rant. Albeit a rant which is very funny and very enjoyable. 

Is this the most blokey book we’ve ever read? This, and the nicknames pissed Tristan off. He liked the expose of the documentary making industry and some of the jokes

Nick 3 / Tristan 5 / Nigel 8 / Keith 7 / Roland 3 / Robin 5 / Hamish 7

Listening: Power Corruption and Lies by New Order

Keith loves the first and last tracks. 

Tristan has never been a big New Order and feels this should have stayed in the 1980s where it belongs.

Robin feels it is what you’d expect from New Order. Hamish quite likes them and feels this is an interesting album as they evolve into New Order. Barney has nothing to say but says it in a very interesting way.

Nigel said this one of his favourite albums by one of his favourite groups 

Nick thinks this is one of the finest albums ever made and this is a nailed on ten out of ten

Roland feels it now sounds flimsy and throwaway pop with pathetic synthesisers. 

Nick 10 / Tristan 5 / Nigel 9 / Keith 8 / Roland 3.25 / Robin 7 / Hamish 7

Deep Fakes: Can You Trust Your Eyes? - All 4 / Wag The Dog

A solid Despatches with disturbing content. Roland described it as sinister. Tristan recognised how this will have serious ramifications for society. How do we trust anything in the digital world? We need some form of irrefutable validation and that might be the future. 

Not everyone managed to watch this one as it disappeared off All 4 before our meeting. Keith's other idea, Wag The Dog, was also briefly discussed.ds

Nick - / Tristan 6 / Nigel 5 / Keith 7 / Roland - / Robin - / Hamish -

HBG endorse it: 8 January - 11 February 2021

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