About this item
A lively philosophical exploration of what it means to be awesome and not suck, and a plea for more awesomeness in our personal, social, and public livesIn this engaging, fun, and astute investigation of a thoroughly contemporary condition, philosopher and former pro skater Nick Riggle argues that our collective interest in being awesome (and not sucking) marks a new era in American culture, one that is shaped by relatively recent social, political, and technological shifts. At the core of his work is the idea that awesome people are exemplars of social creativity. We suck when we foil their attempts at creative community building. To be down, game, chill, basic, wack, or a preference dictator are just a handful of ways we can create, respond to, or fail to take up social openings in the office, in public, or with our friends and loved ones.
About the Author
Nick Riggle dropped out of high school to become a pro skater, participating in stunt shows, demos, and world-class competitions (including three ESPN X Games) . He has a BA in philosophy from UC Berkeley and a PhD from New York University, America's leading philosophy program; he is currently a philosophy professor at the University of San Diego. He speaks widely at conferences and workshops and co-organized the first major academic conference on the philosophy of street art and graffiti. He continues to publish in notable philosophy journals, as well as more popular outlets, including McSweeney's, Aeon (on the high five, awesomeness, and suckiness) , and Hyperallergic. His current academic work focuses on the role of aesthetic value in human life and is supported by a grant from the Experience Project, a $4.8 million, three-year initiative at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of Notre Dame.
