On Being Awesome: A Unified Theory of How Not to Suck

by Nick Riggle

In this lively treatise, pro-skater-turned-philosopher Nick Riggle presents a theory of awesomeness (and its opposite, suckiness) that's both sharply illuminating and more timely than ever "Nick Riggle's fun book is 'awesome' by its own definition. But don't miss its profound ambition, which is to show how philosophy unearths the structure of ordinary language, defines the meaning of life in routine business, and poses the question of how best to live." --Aaron James, author of Assholes: A Theory We all know people who are awesome and people who suck, but what do we really mean by these terms? Have you ever been chill or game? Do you rock or rule? If so, then you're tapped into the ethics of awesomeness. Awesome people excel at creating social openings that encourage expressions of individuality and create community. And if you're a cheapskate, self-promoter, killjoy, or douchebag, you're the type of person who shuts social openings down. Put more simply: You suck. From street art to folk singers, Proust to the great etiquette writer Emily Post, President Obama to former Los Angeles Dodger Glenn Burke, Riggle draws on pop culture, politics, history, and sports to explore the origins of awesome, and delves into the nuances of what it means to suck and why it's so important to strive for awesomeness. An accessible and entertaining lens for navigating the ethics of our time, On Being Awesome provides a new and inspiring framework for understanding ourselves and creating meaningful connections in our everyday lives.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0143130900
• ISBN13: 9780143130901
• Release Date: September 2017
• Publisher: Penguin Books
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.4" x 7.4"

Customer Reviews

Awesome book. Changed my perspective in significant ways.

Good ideas. More people need to read this today. Sometimes we are awesome, and sometimes we suck as people. The author helps us understand this dichotomy and leads the way toward a more awesome existence. The concept of a "social opening" (and the choices you have to engage in such an opening) is a fresh idea that I'd like to explore further. Can the author write more about this topic?