The Power of the Powerless

We live in an era of aesthetics. Art has become both pervasive and powerful – it is displayed not only in museums and galleries but also on the walls of corporations and it is increasingly fused with design. But what makes art so powerful, and in what does its power consist? 

According to a widespread view, the power of art – its beauty – lies in the eye of the beholder. What counts as art appears to be a function of individual acts of evaluation supported by powerful institutions. On this account, the power of art stems from a force that is not itself aesthetic, such as the art market and the financial power of speculators. Art expresses, in a disguised form, the power of something else – like money – that lies behind it. In one word, art has lost its autonomy. 

In this short book, Markus Gabriel rejects this view. He argues that art is essentially uncontrollable. It is in the nature of the work of art to be autonomous to such a degree that the art world will never manage to overpower it. Ever since the cave paintings of Lascaux, art has taken hold of the human mind and implemented itself in our very being. Thanks to the emergence of art we became human beings, that is, beings who lead their lives in light of an image of the human being and its position in the world and in relation to other species. Due to its structural, ontological power, art itself is and remains radically autonomous. Yet, this power is highly ambiguous, as we cannot control its unfolding. 

In this book, a leading proponent of New Realism applies this philosophical perspective to art to create a new aesthetic realism.

The need for realism in reform of its monetary system is what makes Bernstein’s story of the Power of Gold so timely. It is a compelling reminder that maintaining a fixed price for gold and fixed exchange rates were difficult even in a simpler financial environment….Peter Bernstein was reluctant to project the story of gold into the future. But to me his message was clear. Yes, gold will be with us, valued not only for its intrinsic qualities but as a last refuge and store of value in turbulent times. But its days as money, as a means of payment and a fixed unit of account are gone. —From the New Foreword by Paul Volcker This bestselling book reveals a record of human nature in the ubiquity of gold with a new foreword by Paul Volcker In this exciting book, the late Peter L. Bernstein tells the story of history's most coveted, celebrated, and inglorious asset: gold. From the ancient fascinations of Moses and Midas through the modern convulsions caused by the gold standard and its aftermath, gold has led many of its most eager and proud possessors to a bad end. And while the same cycle of obsession and desperation may reverberate in today's fast-moving, electronically-driven markets, the role of gold in shaping human history is the striking feature of this tumultuous tale. Such is the power of gold. Whether it is Egyptian pharaohs with depraved tastes, the luxury-mad survivors of the Black Death, the Chinese inventor of paper money, the pirates on the Spanish Main, or the hardnosed believers in the international gold standard, gold has been the supreme possession. It has been an icon for greed and an emblem of rectitude, as well as a vehicle for vanity and a badge of power that has shaped the destiny of humanity through the ages. Discusses the beginnings of gold as something with magical, religious, and artistic qualities and follows its trail as we progress to the invention of coinage, the transformation of gold into money, and the gold standard Other bestselling books by the late Peter Bernstein: Against the Gods, Capital Ideas, and Capital Ideas Evolving Contemplates gold from the diverse perspectives of monarchs and moneyers, potentates and politicians, men of legendary wealth and others of more plebeian beginnings Far more than a tale of romantic myths, daring explorations, and the history of money and power struggles, The Power of Gold suggests that the true significance of this infamous element may lie in the timeless passions it continues to evoke, and what this reveals about ourselves.

The Power of LoveWhen Rebecca Michaels returns to her mother's home with her troubled son and special needs baby, she feels certain that God has abandoned her. Then Officer Gabriel Stone steps in with his firm hand, solid faith and a heart that needs healing…The Courage to DreamReturning to her Southern roots is a bitter journey–one chef Rachel Peters hopes to make brief, after collecting two younger siblings. But old flame Michael Hunter is determined to reunite her with the place, the faith…and the love she left behind.

The Cult of Ancestors is the long-awaited debut book by the winner of the sixteenth season of 'Battle of the Psychics' - Viktoria Raidos. The author discusses how the actions of distant ancestors continue to influence our destiny today. She also answers the most important question: Is it possible to change what is literally 'written in the family?' The ability to learn from mistakes and to improve is the basis of both biological and spiritual evolution. One of the most important human tools to help achieve this is conscious attention on the themes of our destiny. This is very important in relation to the history of the family: direct ancestors act on a person automatically, and in order to somehow change their influence you must first understand them. The influence of distant ancestors, on the other hand, and the help they can give is almost impossible to feel and receive without knowledge of them and their fates. Usually, in order to act correctly, you need to understand who you are and where you are. Victoria is convinced that, in many ways, this understanding comes from a kind of knowledge gained through the history of your ancestors. The force that has been transmitted over centuries from one generation to the next, which is located in your physiology and psyche, develops into certain themes that affect your very life. If you learn to see and change these stories, you will learn to change your destiny.

The Cult of Ancestors is the long-awaited debut book by the winner of the sixteenth season of 'Battle of the Psychics' - Viktoria Raidos. The author discusses how the actions of distant ancestors continue to influence our destiny today. She also answers the most important question: Is it possible to change what is literally 'written in the family?' The ability to learn from mistakes and to improve is the basis of both biological and spiritual evolution. One of the most important human tools to help achieve this is conscious attention on the themes of our destiny. This is very important in relation to the history of the family: direct ancestors act on a person automatically, and in order to somehow change their influence you must first understand them. The influence of distant ancestors, on the other hand, and the help they can give is almost impossible to feel and receive without knowledge of them and their fates. Usually, in order to act correctly, you need to understand who you are and where you are. Victoria is convinced that, in many ways, this understanding comes from a kind of knowledge gained through the history of your ancestors. The force that has been transmitted over centuries from one generation to the next, which is located in your physiology and psyche, develops into certain themes that affect your very life. If you learn to see and change these stories, you will learn to change your destiny.

Originally published as BOUNCE: How Champions Are MadeThe ‘Freakonomics of Sport’…What are the real secrets of sporting success, and what lessons do they offer about life in general? Why doesn’t Tiger Woods “choke”? Why are the best figure skaters those that have fallen over the most and why has one small street in Reading produced more top table tennis players than the rest of the country put together.As a three-time Commonwealth table-tennis champion and two-time Olympian, Matthew Syed is perfectly placed to show what it takes to get to the top in any discipline. And as an award-winning writer for the sports and comment pages of the Times – and holder of a prize-winning degree from Oxford University – he knows the facts, the science and the personalities better than anyone.In his book Matt overturns myths and outdated thinking to show “why it is that top sportsmen seem to perceive faster, smarter and deeper than the rest of us.” He draws on the latest in neuroscience and psychology to discover why so many top athletes are superstitious, and meets the Hungarian man who turned his daughters into three of the best chess players in history – and explains how.Along the way, he introduces an extraordinary cast of footballers, cricketers, baseball players, speedskaters, scientists and experts – and interviews the East German athlete who became a man, and her husband. Matthew’s book is crammed full of fascinating stories and telling studies, insights and statistics, all brought together to make a wonderfully thought-provoking read.Matthew’s book is not simply the Freakonomics of sport though – it looks at big questions such as the nature of talent, what kind of practice actually works, how to achieve motivation, drugs in sport (and life) and whether black people really are faster runners. Fresh, ground-breaking and tackling subjects with wide appeal, Matthew’s book is sure to be one of the most talked-about of the year.

Gary Quinn ist der Starcoach von Hollywood und viele Schauspieler vertrauen ihm! YES! YES! YES! Mit einem Wort effektiv und positiv durch den Alltag. In seinem neuen Buch und kompakten Leitfaden vermittelt Gary Quinn praktische und tiefgreifende Strategien zur Selbsterkenntnis und Selbsthilfe. "Positive Leitgedanken in Form von hilfreichen Hintergrundinformationen, Inspirationen und Affirmationen, inmitten eines hektischen Alltages positiv, kraftvoll und optimistisch zu bleiben, sich von limitierenden ?berzeugungen, ?ngsten und Anhaftungen zu l?sen, alte Gewohnheiten und Sabotagemechanismen mit Leichtigkeit zu durchbrechen, die eigene Intuition, Kreativit?t und verborgenes Potential zu entschl?sseln,und die eigenen W?nsche und F?higkeiten zu erkennen, zu manifestieren und zu leben." Linda Gray, Hauptdarstellerin in der Fernsehserie «Dallas» "Sag JA zum Leben, und das Leben sagt JA zu dir!' In seinem inspirierenden Buch vermittelt Gary wichtige Codes, um Blockaden und Selbstsabotagemechanismen hinter sich lassen zu k?nnen, sodass man lernt, in der YES-Frequenz zu leben und die Tr?ume seines Lebens zu manifestieren! Du hast die Wahl – also sag JA zu deinem Leben!" Don Miguel Ruiz, Autor des New York Times Bestsellers «Die vier Versprechen» YES – was f?r ein kraftvolles Wort. Gary Quinn hat mit diesem einfachen und zugleich kraftvollen Wort so viel bewirkt. «Sag JA zum Leben!» Danke, Gary, dieses Buch kommt zur rechten Zeit und wird das Leben von vielen Menschen verbessern.

International bestseller Penny Jordan’s RUSSIAN RIVALS novels: Two ruthless men… Two vulnerable women…THE MOST COVETED PRIZERussian tycoon Kiryl has one rival, who has a younger, over-protected half-sister, Alena… Kiryl’s master plan is to seduce the tantalisingly beautiful Alena, then use her to blackmail her brother. It’s a winning situation for the Russian, until Alena discovers just how ruthlessly Kiryl has been using her…THE POWER OF VASILIILaura Westcotte is the only suitable candidate for the job as Russian millionaire Vasilii Demidov’s PA, but Vasilii is far too cynical ever to trust a woman – particularly one with a dubious reputation… Desperate for work, Laura must impress her chillingly complex new boss, but the magnetic power of her attraction to him terrifies her!

Praise for The Power of We «In The Power of We, Jonathan Tisch reminds us again that working together still yields the best results. Jon has spent a lifetime mobilizing people and organizations to get a job done in business and in civic service. His experience, optimism, intelligence, and common sense are reflected in this fresh look at the rewards of partnerships.» -President Bill Clinton «The Power of We offers a clear and compelling lesson in how today's business leaders can create new synergies and gain competitive advantage by learning how to partner successfully.» -Kenneth I. Chenault, Chairman and CEO, American Express Company «Jon Tisch has lived the strategy he describes in The Power of We, and now this extraordinary man and successful leader shares his strategy with us. Building partnerships at all levels-social, intellectual, and political, as well as entrepreneurial-will be one of the keys to progress in the coming decades. Jon Tisch provides a road map for those who grasp that reality.» -John Sexton, President, New York University «Being a leader requires vision, focus, and influence. Jonathan Tisch has exhibited all three in this great body of work about what it takes to be a partner and something bigger than yourself. The Power of We is a must read.» -Pat Riley, President, the Miami HEAT

James Meredith's 1966 march in Mississippi began as one man's peaceful protest for voter registration and became one of the South's most important demonstrations of the civil rights movement.It brought together leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Stokely Carmichael, who formed an unlikely alliance that resulted in the Black Power movement, which ushered in a new era in the fight for equality. The retelling of Meredith's story opens on the day of his assassination attempt and goes back in time to recount the moments leading up to that event and its aftermath. Readers learn about the powerful figures and emerging leaders who joined the over 200-mile walk that became known as the «March Against Fear.» Thoughtfully presented by award-winning author Ann Bausum, this book helps readers understand the complex issues of fear, injustice, and the challenges of change. It is a history lesson that's as important and relevant today as it was 50 years ago.From the Hardcover edition.