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

(Hardback)

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In this original, fun, and slyly helpful investigation of a thoroughly modern condition, pro-skater-turned-philosopher 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, cultural and technological shifts. An accessible, philosophical road trip through the ethics of our time, On Being Awesome provides a new and inspiring framework for understanding friendship, success, and happiness in our everyday lives.

Reviews

What is the opposite of an asshole Its the awesome person who goes off script in the usual interactions, creating new opportunities for creative expression and social communion. Nick Riggles fun book is awesome by its own definition. But dont 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 ofAssholes: A Theory

Itshard to imagine that anyone else has thought so deeply about the nature of awesomeness: its meaning, its importance, and the ways that true awesomeness is under threat. In On Being Awesome, Riggle offers a careful dissection of the psycho-philosophical categories of suckingbut the book also works as a practical, and surprisingly inspiring, guide to better living.
Scientific American Mind

A deceptively fun-loving tour of philosophys most ancient question: how best to live. Riggle uses modern jargon to apply timeless philosophical truths to todays problems.
SuccessMagazine

Nick Riggles new book is a roadmap to achieving awesomeness.
EntrepreneurMagazine

On Being Awesome is a sweet, irreverent little book. It does the good work of taking the vernacular seriously, and makes gamesome use of analytic philosophys central tools to have a little fun. It would make for a great introduction to analytic philosophy for young people, and place to start thinking about what it means to be good citizens of their social worlds. It also stands as a good reminder to those of us who have been at it for a while that we could probably stand to loosen up a little.
TheJournal ofAesthetics and Art Criticism

Nick Riggle quicklyand convincingly makes the case for the pursuit ofawesomeness (and the avoidance of suckiness, itsmortal enemy) as a legitimate social aim. . . . In a pluralistic world that fractures further by theminute, being awesome might be the only viablemodel for the future of our society.
Flood Magazine

Riggles book is a welcome addition tothe trend of philosophy pitched to the public.Like Aaron Jamess Assholes: A Theoryand Harry Frankfurts On Bullshit, RigglesOn Being Awesome shows the promise of employingthe tools of analytic philosophy toaddress the nuances of contemporary culture.The book on the whole is written ina clear, vernacular style thats accessible toa general audience, but at the same time itdoesnt pull its philosophical punches. Itsalso loaded with thought-provoking examplesdrawn from pop culture, civic life,sports, and the arts.More significantly, Riggle aims to craftthe very sort of social opening that his bookdescribes. In creating a rich theory of awesomeness,Riggle invites us to play alongby adopting his lingo . . . but more importantly by lookingat our lives as opportunities to do awesomethings. The only question that remains iswhether, you, the reader, are down. In short,its an awesome bookand, upon reading it,youll know exactly what that means.
The Philosphers Magazine

Want to bring a little awesomeness into your life Check out Dr. Riggles hilariously insightful book On Being Awesome.
Curiosity

[On Being Awesome] might be the most entertaining study of linguistics taxonomy in philosophy.
Big Think

Author Bio

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 appearances). He has a BA in philosophy from UC Berkeley and a Ph.D. from NYU, 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 key and 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 dollar, three-year initiative at UNC Chapel Hill and the University of Notre Dame.